The density and sorptive capacity of some samples of cotton, silk and wool. Part IV. Some remarks on the sorption of water by cotton, silk and wool

In this paper the relations between the volumes of dry fibres and fibres with different percentages of regain are discussed. With the aid of these relations and based on the opinion, that a solid substance will not sorb a liquid with appreciable contraction, the conclusion is reached that water will be sorbed by hydrophylic fibres in three ways, viz.: by ab sorption in the outer layer of the micelles, by ad sorption at the micelle surface without contraction, and by capillary condensation also without contraction. The effect of the felting process and dyeing processes on the quantity of water sorbed, and more generally on the sorptive capacities of the fibres cotton, silk and wool is discussed.