mercerization

mercerization
Chemical treatment applied to cotton fibres or fabrics to make them permanently able to accept dyes and various chemical finishes more easily.

The method, patented in 1850 by the English calico printer John Mercer, also gives cotton cloth increased tensile strength and greater absorptive properties. Higher-quality cotton goods are usually mercerized. The treatment consists of dipping the yarn or fibre in a solution of sodium hydroxide and then treating the material with water or acid to neutralize the sodium hydroxide.

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▪ textile technology
      in textiles, a chemical treatment applied to cotton fibres or fabrics to permanently impart a greater affinity for dyes and various chemical finishes. Mercerizing also gives cotton cloth increased tensile strength, greater absorptive properties, and, usually, a high degree of lustre, depending on the method used.

      The treatment consists of immersing the yarn or fibre in a solution of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) for short periods of time, usually less than four minutes. The material is then treated with water or acid to neutralize the sodium hydroxide. If the material is held under tension during this stage, it is kept from shrinking appreciably; if no tension is applied, the material may shrink by as much as one-fourth. Higher-quality cotton goods are usually mercerized; cloths so treated take brighter, longer-lasting colours from less dye. The effect of caustic soda on cotton was discovered in 1844 by John Mercer, an English calico printer, who received a patent for it in 1850.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • mercerization — (Amer.) n. chemical treatment for cotton fabric and fibers to strengthen them and improve their color qualities (Textile) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • mercerization — merserizavimas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Medvilninių, lininių audinių arba celiuliozės apdorojimas koncentruotu NaOH tirpalu. atitikmenys: angl. mercerization; mercerizing; steeping treatment rus. мерсеризация …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • Mercerization — Mercerize Mer cer*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. { ized}; p. pr. & vb. n. { izing}.] [From (John) Mercer (1791 1866), an English calico printer who introduced the process + ize.] To treat (cotton fiber or fabrics) with a solution of caustic alkali.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mercerization — noun see mercerize …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mercerization — mer·cer·i·za·tion …   English syllables

  • mercerization — ˌ ̷ ̷sərə̇ˈzāshən, ˌrīˈz noun ( s) : the act or process of mercerizing …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mercerized cotton — Mercerization is a treatment for cotton fabric and thread that gives fabric a lustrous appearance. The process is applied to materials like cotton or hemp.The process was devised in 1844 by John Mercer of Great Harwood, Lancashire, England, who… …   Wikipedia

  • mercerize — mercerization, n. mercerizer, n. /merr seuh ruyz /, v.t., mercerized, mercerizing. to treat (cotton yarns or fabric) with caustic alkali under tension, in order to increase strength, luster, and affinity for dye. Also, esp. Brit., mercerise.… …   Universalium

  • mercerizations — mercerization (Amer.) n. chemical treatment for cotton fabric and fibers to strengthen them and improve their color qualities (Textile) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Mercerised cotton — yarn reels …   Wikipedia

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