Ramie, tension-mercerized ramie, slack-mercerized ramie, and cotton fabrics are treated with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) to obtain wrinkle-resistant properties, and their physical properties are compared. Tension mercerization slightly enhances the loss of both tensile and tearing strengths of the crosslinked ramie fabric, while slack-mercerized crosslinked ramie fabric has severe mechanical strength loss mainly due to the destruction of fiber orientation during mercerization. Both the tension- and slack-mercerized crosslinked ramie fabrics show increased moisture and water retention, as well as a very rigid handle. Both tension and slack mercerization minimize surface migration of the crosslinking agent.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Batra. S.K., Other Long Vegetable Fibers, in "Handbook of Fiber Science and Technology: Volume 4, Fiber Chemistry," M. Lewin and E. M. Pearce, Eds., Marcel Dekker, Inc., NY, 1985, pp. 727-807.
2.
Bertoniere, N.R., King, W.D., and Rowland, S.P., Reagent Migration and Performance of Durable Press Fabrics, Textile Res. J. 51 (4), 242-251 (1981).
3.
Buschle-Diller, G., Zeronian, S.H., Pan , N., and Yoon, M.Y., Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cotton, Linen, Ramie, and Viscose Rayon Fabrics, Textile Res. J.64 (5), 270-279 ( 1994).
4.
Cheek, L., and Roussel, L., Mercerization of Ramie: Comparisons with Flax and Cotton, Part I: Effects on Physical, Mechanical, and Accessibility Characteristics, Textile Res. J.59 (8), 478-483 ( 1989).
5.
Cheek, L., and Roussel, L., Mercerization of Ramie: Comparison with Flax and Cotton, Part II: Effects on Dyeing and Behavior, Textile Res. J.59 (9), 541-546 (1989).
6.
Cheng, K.P.S. , and How, Y.L., Modifying the Mechanical Properties of Ramie and Its Blends, Textile Res. J.66 (4), 209-214 (1996).
7.
de Boer, J.J., TheDetermination of the Degree of Migration of Easy-Care Chemicals in Cotton Fabric, Textile Res. J.50 (11), 648-654 (1980).
8.
Ishikawa, A. , Effects of Cellulase Treatment on Tensile Properties of Ramie Fiber, Mokuzai Gakkaishi43 (4), 337-341 (1997).
9.
Kratz, G., and Funder, A., Finishing of Woven Linen and Ramie Fabrics with Liquid Ammonia, Melliand Textilber.68 (10), 77,5-780 (1987).
10.
Ladisch, C.M. , Yang, Y., Velayudhan , A., and Ladisch, M.R., A New Approach to the Study of Textile Properties with Liquid Chromatography, Comparison of Void Volume and Surface Area of Cotton and Ramie Using a Rolled Fabric Stationary Phase, Textile Res. J.62 (6), 361-369 (1992).
11.
Naval, L., Obinguar, B., Suasba, M., and Digma, M., Resin Finishing of Bast Fiber with Emphasis on Ramie, Phil. Textile Infor. Dig.7 (2), 1-19 (1977).
12.
Oh, K.W. , In-Situ Polymerization and Crosslinking of Ramie Fabric for Improved Performance, Cellul. Chem. Technol.32, 247-259 (1998).
13.
Oh, K.W. , and Jung, E.J., Nonformaldehyde Crease-Resistant Finishing of Ramie with Glyoxal in the Presence of a Swelling Agent, Textile Res. J.71 (3), 225-230 (2001).
14.
Warwicker, J.O., Effect of Chemical Reagents on the Fine Structure of Cellulose, Part III: Action of Caustic Soda on Cotton and Ramie , J. Polym. Sci. Part A-2 4, 571-586 (1966).
15.
Yang, C.Q., and Bakshi, G.D., Quantitative Analysis of the Nonformaldehyde Durable Press Finish on Cotton Fabric: Acid-Base Titration and Infrared Spectroscopy, Textile Res. J.66 (6), 377-384 (1996).
16.
Yang, C.Q., and Wang, D.J., EvaluatingEster Crosslinking of Cotton Fabric by a Polycarboxylic Acid Using Acid-Base Titration, Textile Res. J.70 (7), 615-620 (2000).
17.
Yang, C.Q., and Wang, X.L., Formation of Cyclic Anhydride Intermediates and Esterification of Cotton Cellulose by Multifunctional Carboxylic Acids: An Infrared Spectroscopy Study, Textile Res. J.66 (9), 595-603 ( 1996).
18.
Zheng, G., Use of Low-temperature Plasma for Modification of Ramie and Polyester/Cotton Fabrics, J. Textile Res. (in Chinese) 9, (12), 559-561 (1988).
19.
Zhou, L.M., Yeung, K.W., and Yuen, C.W.M., Effect of NaOH Mercerization on the Crosslinking of Ramie Yam Using 1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic Acid, Textile Res. J.72, 531-538 (2002).
