Hank mercerizing

Change of cross section during mercerization

Change of cross section during mercerization

These figures show the cross sections of cotton fiber during mercerization by caustic soda.

The cross section indicated (1) on the left shows the situation before mercerizing.

You can see the gradual swelling of the cotton by mercerization from (1) to (5).

No 6 shows the cross section of cotton fiber in the washing stage.

The bad shape of the cross section in processing through (5) to (7) leads to poor luster, hygroscopic property and tenacity as well as poor bulkiness.

The relation between the shrinkage of fiber in the length direction, the expansion in the radial direction and the increase of volume, and the concentration of caustic soda are being investigated by many researchers.