Two kinds of alkyl di-allyl ammonium salts (alkyl groups = methyl and propyl) as crosslinking agents are combined with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) to study rate constants, structural diffusion resistance constants, and other parameters of dyeing. The dye absorptions for the various crosslinking agents are ranked DMDHEU-propyl di-allyl ammonium salt > DMDHEU-methyl di-allyl ammonium salt > DMDHEU, and the equilibrium absorption values are ranked DMDHEU-propyl di-allyl ammonium salt > DMDHEU-methyl di-allyl ammonium salt > DMDHEU. The dyeing rate constants and structural diffusion resistance constants of the finished fabrics are in the order DMDHEU-methyl di-allyl ammonium salt > DMDHEU-propyl diallyl ammonium salt > DMDHEU; however, the activation energies are ranked inversely. The treated fabrics for DMDHEU-alkyl di-allyl ammonium salts have a larger pore structure than those for DMDHEU. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.