Fabrics that are exhibit water repellency, abrasion resistance, and optionally flame resistance are described herein. The fabrics include a plurality of fibers (such as flame resistant fibers) and a finish that imparts water repellency and abrasion resistance to the fibers. The fabrics are free or substantially free from alkylfluoropolymers. Also described herein are garments including the fabrics.

The present disclosure relates to a method of finishing non-iron fabrics, and the non-iron fabrics made by this method. This method includes the steps of mercerizing a fabric without liquid ammonia; curing the fabric by applying a low temperature, low formaldehyde curing resin and dry cross linking it; and massaging the fabric using an air blast textile finishing machine. The non-iron fabrics (and garments) produced according to this method have an improved durable press rating and reduced formaldehyde content or are even formaldehyde free when compared to similar products finished according to conventional liquid ammonia moisture-cure processing.

Provided is a fiber structure having high adhesion suppressibility against aqueous soil and oily soil and soil removability in washing. A soil resistant fiber structure includes a resin film on at least a part of a fiber surface, the resin film containing polyvinyl alcohol and a fluorine-based oil-repellent resin having a hydrophilic component, the fiber structure having a water repellency degree of 2 or less as measured by a spray test in accordance with JIS L-1092, and an oil repellency degree of 2 or more as measured in accordance with AATCC 118 method. The fluorine-based oil-repellent resin is preferably a fluorine-based oil-repellent resin containing a polyoxyalkylene group. The polyvinyl alcohol preferably has an average polymerization degree of 200 to 1500.

Provided is a fiber structure having high adhesion suppressibility against aqueous soil and oily soil and soil removability in washing. A soil resistant fiber structure includes a resin film on at least a part of a fiber surface, the resin film containing polyvinyl alcohol and a fluorine-based oil-repellent resin having a hydrophilic component, the fiber structure having a water repellency degree of 2 or less as measured by a spray test in accordance with JIS L-1092, and an oil repellency degree of 2 or more as measured in accordance with AATCC 118 method. The fluorine-based oil-repellent resin is preferably a fluorine-based oil-repellent resin containing a polyoxyalkylene group. The polyvinyl alcohol preferably has an average polymerization degree of 200 to 1500.

A textile fabric of aramid fibers has a water-repellent finish, wherein the water-repellent finish includes a mixture of a component A, a component B and a component C, wherein the component A is a reaction product of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with a methylol melamine, the component B is a paraffin wax, and the component C is an ester wax C1 and/or another paraffin wax C2. The water-repellent finish preferably is free of fluorine. Additionally, a method for producing the textile fabric is described.

A textile fabric of aramid fibers has a water-repellent finish, wherein the water-repellent finish includes a mixture of a component A, a component B and a component C, wherein the component A is a reaction product of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with a methylol melamine, the component B is a paraffin wax, and the component C is an ester wax C1 and/or another paraffin wax C2. The water-repellent finish preferably is free of fluorine. Additionally, a method for producing the textile fabric is described.

A fiber-treating agent including a condensate formed from the following components (A) and (B), and a component (C). A total content of a constituent element derived from the component (A) and a constituent element derived from the component (B) is more than 1 mass %, and a turbidity is 1,000 NTU or less: (A): formaldehyde or a hydrate thereof, (B): triazine or a derivative thereof of formula (1):

##STR00001## where R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 are the same or different, and each represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxymethylamino group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a phenyl group, a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkoxy group or alkenyloxy group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms, and (C): water.

A fiber-treating agent, including a condensate formed from the following components (A) and (B), and a component (C), and has a turbidity of 1,000 NTU or less: (A): formaldehyde or a hydrate thereof, (B): triazine or a derivative thereof of formula (1):

##STR00001##

where R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 are the same or different, and each represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxymethylamino group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a phenyl group, a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkoxy group or alkenyloxy group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms, and (C): water.

The present disclosure relates to a method of finishing non-iron fabrics, and the non-iron fabrics made by this method. This method includes the steps of mercerizing a fabric without liquid ammonia; curing the fabric by applying a low temperature, low formaldehyde curing resin and dry cross linking it; and massaging the fabric using an air blast textile finishing machine. The non-iron fabrics (and garments) produced according to this method have an improved durable press rating and reduced formaldehyde content or are even formaldehyde free when compared to similar products finished according to conventional liquid ammonia moisture-cure processing.

Fabrics that are exhibit water repellency, abrasion resistance, and optionally flame resistance are described herein. The fabrics include a plurality of fibers (such as flame resistant fibers) and a finish that imparts water repellency and abrasion resistance to the fibers. The fabrics are free or substantially free from alkylfluoropolymers. Also described herein are garments including the fabrics.