The present invention relates to a process and a device for chlorine-free shrinkproof treatment of a wool raw material and an article thereof. In particular, the process of the present invention comprises the steps of a chlorine-free shrinkproof treatment, washing with water, protease inactivation, a softening treatment, dehydration, drying and the like, wherein a chlorine-free catalysis system consisting of a protease, a specific organic phosphine compound and the like is selected, removing the scale layer on the surface of wool fibres cooperatively and efficiently and modifying the scale layer so as to improve the shrinkproof performance of wool articles. The process of the present invention can completely replace the chloridisation shrinkproof method in the prior art, and is not only environmentally friendly, but also has low requirements for equipment, can be operated continuously and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

Disclosed is a method for producing a sizing agent-coated carbon fibers, wherein at least one kind of sizing agent that is selected from the group consisting of sizing agents (a), (b) and (c) is used for coating, in each of the sizing agents a bi- or higher functional epoxy compound (A1) and/or an epoxy compound (A2) being used as a component (A), and the epoxy compound (A2) having a mono- or higher functional epoxy group and at least one functional group that is selected from among a hydroxyl group, an amide group, an imide group, a urethane group, a urea group, a sulfonyl group and a sulfo group. The sizing agent is applied to carbon fibers and the resulting is subjected to a heat treatment within the temperature range of 160-260 C. for 30-600 seconds.

Disclosed is a method for producing a sizing agent-coated carbon fibers, wherein at least one kind of sizing agent that is selected from the group consisting of sizing agents (a), (b) and (c) is used for coating, in each of the sizing agents a bi- or higher functional epoxy compound (A1) and/or an epoxy compound (A2) being used as a component (A), and the epoxy compound (A2) having a mono- or higher functional epoxy group and at least one functional group that is selected from among a hydroxyl group, an amide group, an imide group, a urethane group, a urea group, a sulfonyl group and a sulfo group. The sizing agent is applied to carbon fibers and the resulting is subjected to a heat treatment within the temperature range of 160-260 C. for 30-600 seconds.

Disclosed is a method for producing a sizing agent-coated carbon fibers, wherein at least one kind of sizing agent that is selected from the group consisting of sizing agents (a), (b) and (c) is used for coating, in each of the sizing agents a bi- or higher functional epoxy compound (A1) and/or an epoxy compound (A2) being used as a component (A), and the epoxy compound (A2) having a mono- or higher functional epoxy group and at least one functional group that is selected from among a hydroxyl group, an amide group, an imide group, a urethane group, a urea group, a sulfonyl group and a sulfo group. The sizing agent is applied to carbon fibers and the resulting is subjected to a heat treatment within the temperature range of 160-260 C. for 30-600 seconds.

Disclosed is a method for producing a sizing agent-coated carbon fibers, wherein at least one kind of sizing agent that is selected from the group consisting of sizing agents (a), (b) and (c) is used for coating, in each of the sizing agents a bi- or higher functional epoxy compound (A1) and/or an epoxy compound (A2) being used as a component (A), and the epoxy compound (A2) having a mono- or higher functional epoxy group and at least one functional group that is selected from among a hydroxyl group, an amide group, an imide group, a urethane group, a urea group, a sulfonyl group and a sulfo group. The sizing agent is applied to carbon fibers and the resulting is subjected to a heat treatment within the temperature range of 160-260 C. for 30-600 seconds.

A flame retardant fabric wherein a flame retardant composition is applied to the fabric while the fabric is being stretched. Preferably, the fabric is a blend of cotton and a thermoset. Carbon fibers may be included to impart anti-static properties. The present invention includes a method of treating a woven or knitted fabric of cotton blended with a thermoset, or with a thermoplastic, or with both with a flame retardant composition comprising the steps of stretching the fabric up to 12% greater than its un-stretched dimensions and, while so stretched, applying a flame retardant to the fabric and then allowing the fabric to shrink back to its approximate original dimensions. The flame retardant may either be applied to the fabric or the fabric may be immersed in an aqueous bath containing flame retardants.

A phosphorus-containing polymer comprises a plurality of phosphorus atoms, wherein about 75% or more of the phosphorus atoms in the phosphorus-containing polymer are present in phosphine oxide moieties. An article comprises a textile material having at least one surface and a phosphorus-containing polymer disposed on a least a portion of the surface, wherein the phosphorus-containing polymer comprises a plurality of phosphorus atoms, and wherein about 75% or more of the phosphorus atoms in the phosphorus-containing polymer are present in phosphine oxide moieties.

The instant invention relates to a composition useful as a precursor for imparting flame-retardant properties to textile articles, comprising a condensate of: (a) a tetrakis (hydroxyorgano) phosphonium sulfate THPS; (b) urea, or alternatively thiourea; (c) optionally, and preferably, an aliphatic hydroxyl-reactive compound, such an amine wherein said composition has a very low free formaldehyde content, namely of less than 0.1%.

The instant invention relates to a composition useful as a precursor for imparting flame-retardant properties to textile articles, comprising a condensate of: (a) a tetrakis (hydroxyorgano) phosphonium sulfate THPS; (b) urea, or alternatively thiourea; (c) optionally, and preferably, an aliphatic hydroxyl-reactive compound, such an amine wherein said composition has a very low free formaldehyde content, namely of less than 0.1%.