Improving the functionality of raw cotton: simultaneous strength increases and additional multi-functional properties

It has, nowadays, become indispensable to get multi-functional properties from a single piece of fabric or garment in the sector of textile and fashion. Cotton fabric is now extremely being utilized in garments all over the world. At the raw stage, cotton fabric has less reflectance, high ignition tendency, moreover the proclivity to be attracted by microorganisms. The strength of the fabric might be deteriorated because of frequent processing. In this study, a single jersey raw (grey) cotton fabric of 150 GSM was processed with a pertinent chemical treatment to convert the reflectance to about 100 % and impart flame resistance property together with the other functional properties. Due to the attainment of high reflectance and flame resistance traits, the heat-absorbing tendency of the fabric became low which improved the comfortability of the fabric. The strength of the processed fabric was increased by 4 %. Crease recovery angle was increased by 57 % in the course way and by 82 % in wales way direction that attributed crease-resistance and more stability to the modified fabric. Moreover, the processed fabric was also able to exhibit antimicrobial properties. Strength improvement, attainment of crease-resistance, and antimicrobial property could enhance the longevity of the fabric. The attainment of multifunctional properties together with the strength improvement simultaneously provided a unique feature to the modified cotton fabric. It was a permanent chemical treatment, and it modified the surface of the fabric, which ultimately enhanced the proclivity of cotton fabric to be more compact or crystalline and more stable. The addition of the new quality of the cotton fabric could endure even after washing. The modified cotton fabric with newly added characteristics could be a good choice to prepare garments with felicitous longevity to protect from heat, fire flame sensitivity. It really could create an opportunity in multi-functional fabric processing as well as modern textiles.