Foam Sizing of Cotton and Blend Yarns: Slashing Trials

Abstract

The objective of foam sizing, like other textile foam processing, is to reduce wet pickups and conserve energy during the drying operation. In foam sizing, a concentrated size composition is mechanically foamed at room temperature and is applied to the warp yarns by the Reed-Chatwood applicator. The main feature of the applicator is a horizontal padder. The foam collapses at the nip of the padder, applying the size uniformly to the warp yarn at a lower wet pickup. The size add-on is controlled by the blow ratio and the solid present in the mix. Because of lower wet pickup, energy savings and increased production speeds are realized. At low wet pickup, less bridging of yarns and reduced yam hairiness are also anticipated benefits. For colored yarn warps, foam application at lower pickups results in less color bleeding and reduced staining of adjacent yams. This paper reviews critical factors in the development of foam sizes and results from production trials.