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Mercerised cotton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mercerised cotton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mercerization is a treatment for cellulosic materials, typically cotton
threads, that strengthens them and gives them a lustrous appearance.
The process is now less frequently used for linen and hemp threads.
Contents
1 Development
2 Process
Mercerized cotton yarn reels
3 Thread
4 References
5 External links
Development
The process was devised in 1844 by John Mercer of Great
Harwood, Lancashire, England, who treated cotton fibres with
Spool of a two-ply mercerized cotton
sodium hydroxide. The treatment caused the fibers to swell, which in
thread with a polyester core.
Mercer's version of the process shrank the overall fabric size and
Individual staples can be seen in close
made it stronger and easier to dye. The process did not become
up view.
popular, however, until H. A. Lowe improved it into its modern form
in 1890. By holding the cotton during treatment to prevent it from
shrinking, Lowe found that the fibre gained a lustrous appearance.[1][2] The process was taken to the DMC
company in Mulhouse by Jean Dollfus in the 19th century.[3]
Process
Mercerisation alters the chemical structure of the cotton fibre. The structure of the fibre inter-converts from
alpha-cellulose to a thermodynamically more favourable beta-cellulose polymorph. Mercerising results in the
swelling of the cell wall of the cotton fibre. This causes increase in the surface area and reflectance, and gives the
fibre a softer feel.[4] An optional last step in the process is passing the thread over an open flame; this incinerates
stray fibers, improving the fabric's appearance. This is known as "gassing the thread" due to the gas burner that
is typically used.
Thread
The modern production method for mercerised cotton, also known as "pearl" or "pearle" cotton, gives cotton
thread (or cotton-covered thread with a polyester core) a sodium hydroxide bath that is then neutralized with an
acid bath. This treatment increases lustre, strength, affinity to dye, resistance to mildew, but, on the other hand,
increases its affinity to lint.
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Mercerised cotton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cotton with long staple fibre lengths responds best to mercerisation. Mercerised thread is commonly used to
produce fine crochet.
References
1. ^ J. Gordon Cook (1984). Handbook of Textile Fibres: Volume I: Natural Fibres. Woodhead. p. 68. ISBN 185573-484-2.
2. ^ Beaudet, Tom (1999). "What is Mercerized cotton?" (http://fiberarts.org/design/articles/mercerized.html).
FiberArts.org. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
3. ^ DMC History (http://www.dmccreative.co.uk/DMC-History.aspx), DMCCreative, retrieved 29 October 2014
4. ^ Textile Technology: Cotton/Kenaf Fabrics: a Viable Natural Fabric (http://www.cotton.org/journal/199903/2/upload/jcs03-060.pdf), P. Bel-Berger, et al. Journal of Cotton Science, 3:6070 (1999). "Cotton/kenaf
fabrics can be further improved in softness and "hand" (the feel of textiles when handled). The effects of
different fabric treatments such as enzymes, bleaching, and mercerization were compared and measured for
softness of hand. Two types of fabrics were treated, a lightweight plain weave and a heavyweight twill.
Mercerization dramatically improved the softness and hand for both fabrics."
External links
Online Encyclopedia - Mercerizing (http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/MEC_MIC/MERCERIZING.html)
Mercerisation of cotton fabric (http://www.thesmarttime.com/processing/mercerisation.htm)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mercerised_cotton&oldid=631726383"
Categories: Fibers Cotton 1844 introductions Textile stubs
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