Abstract: A process for increasing the water-absorbency of cellulose-containing materials by graft-copolymerizing onto said material a vinyl monomer containing a hydrophilic group and treating the graft-copolymerized material with a decrystallizing agent for cellulose.

Abstract: Strong base quaternary ammonium cellulose derivatives prepared under anhydrous conditions are further chemically modified in selected organic solvents by a sequential process that produces a partial cellulose ether in fibrous form that can be used in electro-chemical reactions covering a range of oxidation-reduction potentials. These new derivatives can be prepared such that they stabilize a given anion in the cellulose matrix until such time as its oxidation or reduction power is needed in desired chemical reactions. Although prepared in nonaqueous media, these red-ox cellulosic anion exchangers can be used to regulate oxidation-reduction reactions in aqueous media. Some of these new red-ox anion exchangers are dispersible in water and can be reprecipitated by organic solvents without losing their red-ox abilities during the process. Others are water insoluble.

Abstract: A process is described for obtaining finishing effects on textile material consisting, at least partially, of cellulose fibers, without seriously reducing the tensile strength, tearing strength or wearing strength of the fibers. A finishing agent, capable of cross-linking with the hydroxy groups of the cellulose fibers, in a solution or emulsion containing a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, such as low aliphatic ketones, aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons or low aliphatic esters, is applied to the textile material. The stability of the mixture is controlled by a salting-in or salting-out effect so as to induce a phase separation between aqueous and solvent phase, this effect being induced by the use of neutral salts, acid salts, potentially acid salts, organic acids, synthetic resins or reactants. The finishing agent is concentrated in the aqueous phase in the interior of the individual fibers while the surface zones retain the good surface properties of the starting material.

Abstract: Hydroxymethylphosphine-ammonia and similar polymers, solubilized by hydroxymethylphosphonium salts and formaldehyde, were allowed to react with nitrogenous compounds such as urea, trimethylolmelamine and ammonia to (a) prepare flame-resistant polymers and (b) prepare flame-, glow-, wrinkle and shrink-resistant woven and knit textiles which contain 25% or more cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A water soluble product suitable for rendering textile materials fire retardant is produced by condensing a poly (.alpha.-hydroxyalkyl)phosphorus compound of the formula(RCHOH).sub.n (RCHR').sub.4.sub.-n P-Yor(RCHOH).sub.m (RCHR').sub.3.sub.-m Pand a nitrogen compound of the formula RNH.sub.2, HO--R"NH.sub.2 or ##EQU1## wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms,R' is OR or ##EQU2## R" is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, Y is at least one anion selected from the group consisting of chloride, sulfate, phosphate, acetate and formate,n is an integer from 2 to 4, andm is an integer from 2 to 3,The phosphorus compound being present in about 0.5 to 6 times the molar amount of the nitrogen compound.Advantageously the phosphorus compound is a tetrakis(hydroxy-methyl)phosphonium salt or a tris(hydroxymethyl) phosphine and is present in about 1 to 3 times the nitrogen compound which is preferably ammonia.

Abstract: Cellulose material having improved resistance to thermal deterioration and having particular application as insulation material for electrical apparatus. The cellulose material is treated with an aqueous dispersion of a liquid, uncured, crosslinkable thermosetting resin, such as an epoxy resin, and a water soluble, nitrogen-containing compound. During curing of the resin, the cellulose molecules are believed to enter into the crosslinking reaction to provide a treated cellulosic product capable of withstanding the deteriorating action of heat over extended periods of time. A protein material, such as casein or isolated soy protein, can be added to the treating liquid and the protein not only contributes additional nitrogen groups to the treating media to further increase the thermal stability of the cellulose, but also acts as a film former. The thermal stability of the cellulose material can be further improved by the addition of an organic amine, such as melamine, to the treating liquid.