Wang Liming, Hu Shouzhong & Zhou Jing, Shanghai University of Engineering Science

Abstract: With the rising of people′s living standard and aesthetic sense, home-textiles find more favor in consumers?eyes and have bright market prospect. Based on analyzing the demand for bedding articles on consumer market, a study is carried out on the functional finishing process for obtaining softness and moisture management function and the market prospect is anticipated. By finishing the fabric with different softeners and hygroscopic agents respectively from local producers, Ciba and BASF and by comparing the softness, hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the finished fabrics, the best cost/price ratio is thus found out. The results show that the bedding articles finished with chemicals from Ciba and BASF enjoy better market than those finished with local-made chemicals despite their higher cost.
Key words: bedding articles; softening finish; moisture-absorbent-air-permeable finish; home-textiles; functional finishing.