SYNTHESIS OF TRIMETHLOL MELAMINE TEXTILE FIXER

Abstract

The synthesis of Trimethylol Melamine (TMM) precondensate was carried out by the controlled reaction of formaldehyde with melamine, which belonging to class of partially methylolated thermosetting resins. The product was clear, transparent, viscous and miscible with water. The refractive index, density and maximum absorption of the synthesized TMM was determined. The dyed (C.I. Direct Red 2) cotton and rayon specimens were impregnated with synthesized precondensate (TMM) and Fix M-3(commercially available trimethylol melamine of BSF product), cured at 150°C for 3 min using curing catalyst. The performance of the synthesized and Fix M-3 evaluated using rubbing, washing and light fastness tests. The rubbing fastness to crocking, color fastness to washing and light fastness is reported and found to be dependent on the fixing efficiency of fixer. The fastness to light is found to be dependent on the aromatic character of melamine ring which obviously due to the preferably absorption in the UV region.