Continuous mercerisation of knitted fabric - is carried out under continuous automatic tension and width control

摘要

Continuous mercerizing process for, in partic. tubular knitted cotton fabric consists in four main stages: (1) impregnation of the fabric with caustic soda under controlled tension; (2) a dwell period providing the required reaction time, during which the fabric passes around a series of stabilising rollers; (3) a fixing, neutralising and washing-off stage comprising at least five washing units, in at least the first four of which the fabric is maintained under automatic tension control; and (4) mangling, followed by application of finishing agent if necessary, and a final mangling operation. The process provides a mercerising treatment for knitted fabric under continuous dimensional control, giving a product with excellent dimensional stability, lustre and improved strength and elasticity.