Cotton is one of the most ancient natural vegetable fibers on Earth. Get it out of cotton, the fruit of which is revealed and together with the seeds appears a fluff similar to cotton lumps. Attach cotton as a cultural plant for the first time began in India 7 thousand years ago. But only in the Epoch of the Middle Ages, he received distribution in Europe. It is now impossible to submit our daily life without products from this fiber - various fabrics, wool, paper.
What is mercerization?
Mercerization is short-term tissue treatment with a concentrated solution of caustic soda. This technology received its name from the surname of the English chemist John Mercer. In 1844, this scientist invented the process of enrichment of cotton fibers with sodium hydroxide. As a result, the fiber swells, and the fabric became more durable, it was easily stained, although it was reduced in size. In 1890, another scientist - Horace Lowe - began to stretch the canvas so that it would not lose its sizes and brought this process to perfection.
How treatment is happening
The process of mercerization consists of several stages and is fully automated. Initially, the yarn treatment of caustic soda occurs - this is a mercerization. Then the cotton fiber is painted and bleaching, neutralizing the alkaline indicator of the pH. The final stage is the burning of the fiber in the gas burner so that it is freed from the excessive pile and acquired smoothness and silkiness.
With double mercerization, the fiber is processed by caustic soda twice, thereby even more increasing its beneficial properties.
Features 100% Mercerized Cotton
For mercerization, the best long and extraldine-fiber cotton is selected, Therefore, after this process, the cloth acquires the following wonderful qualities:
- It becomes durable and wear-resistant, tolerates a large amount of washes;
- Perfectly preserves the shape of the product, does not form rods;
- Gets bright saturated colors that do not lose and do not fade;
- Acquires a beautiful noble glitter;
- Made by soft and silky;
- more enshrined hygroscopicity;
- It almost does not mind, it is easy to smooth;
- Does not sit in the washing process.
You will learn more about the properties of mercerized cotton, looking at the next video.
What makes this material
Mercerized cotton sew casual clothes: T-shirts, T-shirts, blouses, underwear. It is ideal for sewing a variety of children's clothing. Bed linen from this wonderful material is comfortable and durable. Often, merserized fabrics are used to sewing home textiles: tablecloths, napkins, towels. And also from its fibers make yarn for manual and machine knitting.
Advantages of mercerized cotton
This material has several advantages in comparison with conventional cotton. They are as follows.
- Mercerized cotton much wins in strength from the usual.
- Yarn from the past mercerization of cotton can be easily painted in any colors. In addition, the paint is holding longer, does not fade from the sun's rays and does not damage for several years.
- Mercerized tissue perfectly absorbs moisture, which is very important for a hut, such as T-shirts or underwear.
- To the touch processed fiber more silky and nicely than the usual cotton, and has a beautiful shine.
- Mercerized fabrics practically do not impenetrate, and after washing it never occurs a shrinkage of fabric.
disadvantages
The disadvantages include only the high price of products from this material. And it is natural, because only elite cotton varieties take for mercerization. In addition, the processing process occurs on expensive equipment using the non-cheap production technology.
How to recognize?
There are several uncomplicated techniques in contrasting the fabric out of 100% cotton that has passed the mercerization from the usual one.
- Processed fabric always has a brighter color.
- Externally, it very much resembles synthetic or silk fibers.
- Spend your hand on the surface of the fabric. Products made of mercerized cotton smooth to the touch, and ordinary have roughness.
- You can smire in the palm of the fabric edge, and then sharply dismiss the brush. Processed cotton will not doubt. If you do the same with conventional cotton, it will be very lit.
- Mercerized cotton thread burns instantly to the ground, while you feel the smell of burner paper.
- If you wear a mercerized tissue thing, then you will feel cool from it.
Care for things
If the label bought the thing is written by Mercerized Cotton or 100% mercerized cotton, then you got a beautiful and easy-to-carn material. It is only necessary to erase and iron it at high temperatures.
Knitted products advise to erase at a temperature not higher than 40 degrees and use means for delicate washing. They are contraindicated to squeeze and dry in a washing machine, and ironing best at temperatures up to 150 degrees through a wet fabric.
Natural materials are much better than artificial, and cotton is deservedly called "white gold." Fabrics made of mercerized cotton bright, durable and durable. Using mercerization, you can create an environmentally friendly natural material with excellent properties. Products from this material are very comfortable and easy to care. Despite the high price, with proper care, things from this unique fabric will be happy to please you with their beautiful appearance.
