Benzoylation of Cotton in Relation to Its Properties

Abstract

Yarn spun from Indian cotton was partially benzoylated to three low DS values, averaging from 0.2 to 0.6, to retain the fibrous structure and other desirable properties of cotton. Benzoylation of the cotton yarn was carried out in both stretched condition to maintain the original length and unstretched condition to permit free contraction.

The changes in physical properties in most cases were affected by the DS and tensional forces on the yarn during modifi cation. The benzoylated cotton yarn retained many of the desirable mechanical properties of the original cotton. It showed increases in linear density, yarn diameter, elongation at break, wet strength, coefficient of friction, and resistance to micro-organisms, but decreases in tensile strength, loss of strength on oven drying and moisture regain, while retaining tensile strength after cyclic loading. Stretched yarn exhibited superiority in strength over unstretched yarn.