Effect of NaOH Mercerization on the Crosslinking of Ramie Yarn Using 1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic Acid

The effect of NaOH mercerization on the crosslinking properties of 1,2,3,4-butanetet racarboxylic acid (BTCA) on ramie yarn is studied, with emphasis on mercerization tension. NaOH at mercerization strength decrystallizes the ramie fibers, resulting in a higher accessibility to BTCA. Due to the change in fiber orientation caused by mercerization, tension mercerized and crosslinked ramie yarn shows a higher tenacity than the crosslinked control, while the low-tension or slack mercerized and crosslinked ramie yarn exhibits more serious tensile strength loss than the crosslinked control.