The effect of mercerization at elevatcd temperatures upon cotton fiber substructure has been studied by electron microscopic techniques. Results indicate that even though some advantages can be attained by raising the temperature of the caustic solution, fiber suhstructure exhibits anomalous hehavior. Photomicrographs of fibers from yarns treated at the extreme temperature ranges reveal a skin-core appearance. The conversion of cellulose I to cellulose II crystalline structure normally associated with mercerization is retarded at elevated temperatures as shown by x-ray analysis.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Anon., Hot Mercerising, Amer. Dyest. Reptr.64, 24(1975).
2.
Barkhaysen, F.A., The Caustic Mercerisation of Cotton Fabrics. Part II. Investigation into the Mercerisation Effect of Caustic Soda Solutions at Elevated Temperatures, SAWTRI Bull . 2, 19-25 (1977).
3.
Bechter, D., Fiebig, D., and Heap, S.A., Untersuchungen uber die Gieichmassigkeit der Mercerisation von Baumwollgeweben , Textilveredlung9 , 265-275 (1974).
4.
Can. Textile. J., Some Consequences of Hot Mercerising , 92, 149-152 (1975).
5.
Duckworth, C. and Rusnak, I., Some Consequences of Hot Mercerising of Cotton: An Anglo-Huagarian StudyTextile Mon.1, 60-62 (1976).
6.
Morton, W.E. , and Hearle, J.W.S., "Physical Properties of Textile Fibers,"John Wiley and Sons, Inc.New York , 1975, p. 38.
7.
Rollins, M.L. and Tripp, V.W., Microscopical Methods for the Study of Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives, in: "Electron Microscopy: Contributions to Methods in Carbohydrate Chemistry," Vol. III, Roy Whistler, Ed., Academic Press, New York, 1963, pp. 356-364.
8.
Rousselle, M.A. , Nelson, M.L., Hassenboehier , C.B., Jr., and Legendre, D.C., Liquid-Ammonia and Caustic Mercerization of Cotton Fibers; Changes in Fine Structure and Mechanical Properties, Textile Res. J.46, 304 (1976).
9.
Segal, L., Creely, J.J., Martin, A.E., Jr., and Conrad, C.M., An Empirical Method for Estimating the Degree of Crystallinity of Native Cellulose Using the X-Ray Dinractometer, Textile Res. J.29, 786-794 (1959).
10.
Ward, K. L., Jr., Ed., "Chemistry and Chemical Technology of Cotton," Chap. 6, Interscience, New York, 1955.
11.
Warwicker, J.O. , Jeffries, R., Colbran , R.L., and Robinson , R.N., "A Review of the Literature on the Effect of Caustic Soda and Other Swelling Agents on the Fine Structure of Cottón," Pamphlet No. 94, Shirley Institute , Manchester, England, 1966.
