The Effect of Certain Variables in Warp Sizing on Weavability

Abstract

The effect of certain variables (size add-on, degree of polymerization of size, and temperature of application) in sizing was determined in relation to simulated weaving for a cotton yarn sized with poly(ethylene oxide). Increasing the size add-on decreased the tendency of the sized yarns to shed fibers and size. The effect of resin DP varied with size add-on. At low add-ons an increase in DP was accompanied by an improvement in weavability which was attributed to the concomitant increase in toughness of the resin; after very high values of DP were reached, however, weaving became unsatisfactory, apparently because of poor anchoring of resin to yarn. At high add-ons an increase in resin DP resulted in improved weaving performance for all ranges of DP, and this effect was attributed both to the increase in toughness of the resin film and to the increase in film coverage of the yarn surface and in film thickness achieved at high add-ons. As the temperature of application was raised, penetration of size through yarn increased. This resulted in poor weavability at low DP's; at high DP's, however, weavability was improved, apparently because the increase in temperature permitted better anchoring of size to yarn.