Applications of

Microwaves in
Textile Finishing
Processes
Overview
What we would be discussing in this Presentation.
Overview
 Introduction
 Conventional vs. Microwave Heating
 Textile Finishing
 Durable Press (DP) Finishing
 Water & Oil Repellent Finishing
 Flame Retardant Finishing
 Conclusion
 Questions & Answer Session
Introduction
What are Microwaves?
What are it’s Properties?
Conventional Heating vs. Microwave Heating.
Introduction
 Frequency from
300Mhz – 300Ghz
 Lie between Radio
Waves (RF) & Infrared
(IR)
Introduction
 Energy = 0.125 kJ/mol
 Does not directly affect molecular structure
 Response to different materials
 Reflection – Stays cool
 Transparent – Not Affected
 Absorption – Heated
Conventional vs. Microwave
Heating
Textile Finishing Processes
Durable Press (DP) Finishing
Water and Oil Repellant Finishing
Flame Retardant (FR) Finishing
Durable Press (DP) Finishing
 N-Methylole based reagents, such as di-methylol-
dihydroxy-ethylene urea (DMDHEU) were used in
the study.

 Noticeable improvements can be seen in a case of

treatment with microwaves.
Water & Oil Repellent Finishing
 Fluorocarbon polymers have been chosen to satisfy both
water- and oil-repellency demands.
 Main characteristic is a low surface tension which causes
excellent water and oil repellency effects.
 Durability of water- and oil-repellency to laundering and dry
cleaning was tested after washing and cleaning cycles.
 Comparing the results of water and oil repellent finishing,
improvements of water repellency are noticeable.
Flame Retardant Finishing
 Performed with high concentrations of organo-
phosphorus reactant on cellulose material used for
working clothes.

 Resultsof flame retardancy obtained by

microwave inducement are equally good compared
to conventional curing method.
Conclusions
Results & Conclusions Drawn
Conclusion
 Microwave treatment reduces formaldehyde release.
 Microwaves give certain improvements in Water &
Oil repellent finishing.
 Microwaves give good efficiency in Flame Retardant
finishing.
 60 – 70% less resource consumption
 Highly Cost Effective
 Vast range of improvements would lead to more
industrial implementations.
Questions & Answers
You ask, we answer.
Thank You!
For your precious time & patience.