Effects of Alternative Mercerizing Agents on Some Mechanical Properties of Cotton / Polyester Blend Fabric

Abstract

This study was concerned with sourcing for suitable and reliable, safe and cheap alternative mercerizing agents that may improve the mechanical properties of cotton/ polyester blend fabric. The pH of the used liquor was evaluated. Cost analyses for the agents were investigated. Six alternative 19-23% mercerizing agents were used (namely liquid NH3, NH4OH, (NH4)2C2O4, CH3CH2OH, CH3COOH, (COOH)2 and NaOH as the control) after bleaching the fabric respectively. The optimum experimental results for the mercerizing agents showed that 19% NH4OH optimally improved the breaking load (16.19kgf) more than the control. The optimum value for breaking extension (24.98%) of the mercerized fabric was by 19% (NH4)2C2O4 ranking the highest. 19% CH3CH2OH mercerized fabric recorded the highest linear density (4.6904 tex). 21% NH4OH mercerized fabric ranked the highest for dry crease recovery (132°). The alkalinity and acidity (pH) of the alternative agents after the mercerizing process were environmentally friendly in comparison with the highly alkaline NaOH (pH range of 12.20-12.30), hence unfriendly. The cost analysis revealed some of the alternative agents far cheaper than the NaOH. These imply that the alternative agents are suitable and reliable as mercerizing agents than NaOH. Therefore the alternative agents could be employed in the Textile Industry and commercially as mercerizing agents so that the world could be a better and safe place for fabric users.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n5p91