Mercerized and cross‐linked cotton yarns I. Effect of tension during mercerization on degree of cross‐linking and distention index

A study of the effect of tension during mercerization on the distention index and distribution of cross‐link in cotton yarns cross‐linked by different processes with formaldehyde is reported. The yarns were slack mercerized and then restretched to 90–103% of their original lengths. The mercerized samples were then cross‐linked with formaldehyde by form W and form D processes. Estimation of sol‐gel, distention index (DI), and distribution of cross‐links in cotton yarn samples are discussed. The results of these analyses provide important information on the gross uniformity of the distribution of the cross‐link in the fiber structure of cotton yarn mercerized under varying tensions and cross‐linked.