Mercerization of Yarn—Experimental Apparatus and Techniques

Abstract

Apparatus is described and general methods are indicated for the study of the process of mercerization of cotton yarn in skeins and for the experimental mercerization of lots weighing up to about 3/4 1b. Special techniques, including the use of a strain gage, are given for measuring the tension developed in yarn during mercerizing. This indication of the swelling behavior of cotton is expected to supplement the usual observations of mercerized yarn properties—luster, dyeing capacity, and strength—to help breeders and prospective users of new cottons in their selections. Observations of developed tension can also be employed to indicate the rate of mercerizing as the caustic penetrates and swelling causes tension to build up in the yarn, and to show differ ences between yarns and processes even more readily than between cottons. The equipment is now being used to test yarn made from breeders' samples to help predict the response to commercial mercerizing of newly developed cottons, although results for this work are not included herein.