Abstract
Progress in developing cotton fabrics having high recoverable stretch, durable loft, warmth, and other highly desirable properties is reported. Three general methods for making stretch and bulked cotton yarns and fabrics are described: (i) use of cross- linking agents to set or maintain crimp in cotton yarn; (ii) slack mercerization of cotton fabrics to cause shrinkage; and (iii) the crimping and heat setting of thermoplastic cotton yarns (ethers and esters of cotton cellulose). The first method employs the chemical reactions of the type widely used by industry in manufacturing wash-wear products. Stretch and bulked cottons might present opportunities equal to those already provided by wash-wear products.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
