Mercerização

Mercerização is a finishing process applied primarily to cotton and other cellulosic fibers. It involves treating the fabric or yarn with a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide, typically at a specific temperature and for a controlled duration. This alkali treatment causes the cotton fibers to swell and untwist, altering their physical structure. The cotton undergoes a transformation from a flattened, twisted shape to a more rounded and cylindrical one.

The effects of mercerization are significant. It improves the luster of the cotton, giving it a silky sheen that is more reflective than mercerized cotton. The process also greatly enhances the fiber's strength, making the fabric more durable and resistant to wear. Furthermore, mercerized cotton exhibits a much higher absorbency, which is beneficial for dyeing and finishing processes, allowing for deeper and more uniform color penetration. It also increases the fiber's affinity for dyes, resulting in brighter and more vibrant colors.

Mercerization is a widely used technique in the textile industry to produce high-quality cotton fabrics and yarns for a variety of applications, including apparel, home furnishings, and industrial textiles. The enhanced properties imparted by the process make mercerized cotton a premium material.