An aqueous composition is used to clad yarn cores to provide unique coated yarns. This aqueous composition contains: (i) porous particles present in an amount of at least 2 weight % and up to and including 10 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, the porous particles having a mode particle size of 2-50 m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a T.sub.g of less than or equal to 25 C., that is present in an amount of 25-60 weight %; (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, in an amount of at least 2-15 weight %; and (iv) an aqueous medium in an amount of at least 35 weight % in which the film-forming binder material is soluble or dispersible.

Disclosed in certain embodiments are compositions for malodor reduction in fabric and methods for reducing malodor in fabric.

The invention provides a silver-plated conductive nylon fiber and a preparation method thereof. The method includes: immersing a nylon fiber in an aqueous solution containing a polyphenolic compound at 60 C. to 70 C., adding a water-soluble oxidant into the solution, continuously reacting at 70 C. to 80 C., and obtaining a polyphenol grafted nylon fiber, where the polyphenolic compound contains a catechol group; immersing the polyphenol grafted nylon fiber into a solution containing silver ions at 15 C. to 25 C. for reaction, and raising the temperature to 70 C. to 80 C. for continuous reaction to obtain a surface-activated nylon fiber; and carrying out chemical silver plating treatment on the surface-activated nylon fiber to obtain the silver-plated conductive nylon fiber. The method does not require a heavy metal sensitizer and therefore is non-toxic and environment-friendly, and the fiber strength is maintained.

An oil for a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber including: a hydroxybenzoate ester (A) indicated by formula (1a); an amino-modified silicone (H) indicated by formula (3e); and an organic compound (X) which is compatible with the hydroxybenzoate ester (A), in which a residual mass rate R1 at 300 C. in thermal mass analysis in an air atmosphere is 70-100 mass % inclusive, and which is a liquid at 100 C., and a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber bundle to which the oil for a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber is adhered. ##STR00001##

Disclosed is a method for conferring durable water repellence to woven or non-woven fabric, comprising the steps of: (1) treating the fabric with an aqueous composition, the composition comprising (a) an aqueous solvent comprising at least 80 w/w % water, and 20 w/w % or less of a water miscible organic solvent comprising at least two functional OH groups, and (b) 0.1-40 w/w % of an acrylic ester having the formula 1: wherein A.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3, and A.sup.2 is C.sub.1-C.sub.30 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon that may have an alicyclic or aromatic ring, the acrylic ester being dissolved, emulsified or dispersed in the aqueous solvent, (2) heating the treated fabric to 120-200? C. Further such a composition and fabric treated with such a composition are disclosed.

##STR00001##

The subject invention provides environmentally-friendly compositions and methods for enhancing production of textiles and leather. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise incorporating the application of a biological amphiphilic molecule into a textile or leather-making process to reduce chemical usage, reduce water usage, reduce water pollution and/or provide an added benefit to the process. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise substituting a chemical surfactant with a biological amphiphilic molecule in one or more steps involved in textile or leather-making process that would traditionally utilize a chemical surfactant.

Insect repellent compositions are provided for resilient use in fabrics. Compositions include an alcohol solvent and an ethoxylated oil mixed with an insecticidal pyrethroid of at least 25% of the composition. Permethrin, benzyl alcohol, and ethoxylated castor oil may be used in ratios ranging from about 2.5:1.5:1 to about 1:1.2:1.8. An insect repellent fabric is prepared by neutralizing the fabric and treating the fabric with the insect repellent formulation. The formulation may include a padding composition mixed with an insect repellent composition. The padding composition includes a polyglycol ether, an acrylic acid ester, an acrylic ester copolymer in aqueous solution, and a cross linking agent. The fabric may be evenly treated with the mixed padding and repellent composition and then dried. The treating may include impregnating the fabric with microcapsules that elute or diffuse the insect repellent and/or padding composition.

The invention provides a silver-plated conductive nylon fiber and a preparation method thereof. The method includes: immersing a nylon fiber in an aqueous solution containing a polyphenolic compound at 60? C. to 70? C., adding a water-soluble oxidant into the solution, continuously reacting at 70? C. to 80? C., and obtaining a polyphenol grafted nylon fiber, where the polyphenolic compound contains a catechol group; immersing the polyphenol grafted nylon fiber into a solution containing silver ions at 15? C. to 25? C. for reaction, and raising the temperature to 70? C. to 80? C. for continuous reaction to obtain a surface-activated nylon fiber; and carrying out chemical silver plating treatment on the surface-activated nylon fiber to obtain the silver-plated conductive nylon fiber. The method does not require a heavy metal sensitizer and therefore is non-toxic and environment-friendly, and the fiber strength is maintained.

Provided herein are surface treating compositions for imparting beneficial surface properties to substrates. The compositions can be prepared by reacting a bio-based polyol with an isocyanate and an ionogenic molecule. The compositions can be used to treat a variety of substrates to provide enhanced properties to a surface of the substrate. Also provided are methods for the chemical modification of triglycerides and fatty acids and use thereof in creating beneficial surface treating compositions.

A synthetic fiber finish includes a lubricant (A), a polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule (B), and an organic sulfonic acid compound (C). The lubricant (A) includes a sulfur-containing ester (A3). The amount of the lubricant (A) ranges from 50 to 90 wt %, the amount of the ester (B) ranges from 1 to 20 wt % and the amount of the sulfur-containing ester (A3) ranges from 5 to 20 wt %, to a nonvolatile component of the finish.