DESIZING

Name: Muhammad Ahmed Iqbal

Score
Date: 19-10-2013

Student idi: 1692-2013

Signature of lab tutor:

REMOVAL OF THE SIZE (DESIZING) BY EXAUST MATHOD

PERFROMANCE OBJECTIVES
Upon the successful completion of this experiment students will be able to
(i)
(ii)

Understand the process of desizing

Understand the exhaust method of desizing

MACHINES / MATERIAL REQUIRED

Greigh Fabric
HT Dyeing Machine
CHEMICALS REQUIRED
Desizer
Wetting Agent
Electrolyte
DISCUSSION
Sizes are applied on the wrap yarn before it reaches the weaving machine. Purpose
of any sizing process is to increase weaving productivity by reducing wrap
breakage. Wrap yarns are more prone to breakage due to extensive forces acting on
them during weaving. For example, tension of the drop wires of (wrap stop motion),
shade opening by heald frames, friction of the weft insertion median and beat up
forces of the reed etc. Sizes are not applied on the weft yarn because it is less likely
to be processed under extensive forces and tensions.
Sizes are not applied on the yarn to be used in knitting because of the less
likelihood of the forces on the yarn. At the same time fabric is formed in this process
by interloping through knitting needles and these needles do not exert such huge
tension that may require application of size.
Overall, the sizes serve to achieve the following purposes:
a. To increase the strength of yarn
b. Reduction in yarn hairiness

DESIZING
c. Increase resistance against abrasion
d. Reduce the chance of fluff and fly during weaving.
Usually sizes are applied on the yarn from aqueous solution and they form a film
of polymers on the yarn. These film forming substances or sizes can be classified
into two major groups as given in the chart below.
FILM FORMING POLYMER

Natural

Synthetic

STARCH
CELLULOSE
ACRYLOAMIDE POLYESTER

PVA

ACRYLATE

DERIVATIVES
100% cotton fabrics are mostly sized with starch based sizes and
cotton/polyester blends with PVA to achieve higher weaving efficiency at
optimum cost. Most made fibers on the other hand can be sized with poly vinyl
alcohol and poly-acrylic acid sizes.
After weaving , the sizes must be removed from the fabric before it is to be dyed
or finished. This is accomplished during the preparation of the fabric for coloring
or finishing (pretreatment). The process in which these sizes are removed is
called desizing. Extent is decided on the following criteria.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Sizes% applied on the yarn

Construction of the cloth
Nature of the size and its viscosity of the size solution
Desizing method
Chemical auxiliaries used in the bath

Water soluble sizes like CMC, PVA and acrylates mostly do not need chemical
desizing; they can be readily desized with hot water. Addition of wetting agents may
be helpful. Starch on the other hand requires especial attention. It is a carbohydrate
polymer composed of 25% amylose and 75% amylopectins. Amylose is the inner
and relatively soluble portion of starch and it is polymer of glucose that consist of
long chains of glucose units joined together by 1,4-glycoside linkage. Amylopectin
is the outer and almost insoluble portion of a starch and it is highly branched
glucose polymer. Hence, removal of the starch needs some sort of chemical
treatment to break down it into water soluble glucose and dextrin.
For the removal of starch, variety of desizng agents can be used. For example:

DESIZING
a.
b.
c.
d.

Bacteria
Acids
Oxidising agents
Enzymes
a. Bacterial:
Bacterial desizing is sometimes called rot steeping. Cotton is wetted in
the water and is left in the damp conditions for several hours. Numerous
bacteria present in the environment will degrade the starch in damp and
warm conditions. This process of desizing is time consuming and at same
time there are chances of degradation of cellulose of cotton and its blends
by bacteria.
b. Acids:
Sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid (dilute solution and under cold
conditions)can be used to degrade the starch. Normally, fabric if soaked
in the dilute solution of the acid and then it is left for two to three hours at
room temperature. As the acids are prone to dissolve the cellulose, hence
this process requires crucial control of temperature and tie; it may cause
serious damage to the cotton.
However, the main advantage of acid desizing is that it requires less time
for degradation of starch and any metal particles present in the fabric are
readily removed in the process.
c. Oxidising Agents:
Oxidising agents like Hydrogen per Oxide (H2O2) and per-sulphates may
be used to degrade the starch without degrading cellulose. As H2O2 is
used in the process of bleaching, it is economical to carry out both
desizing and bleaching in one process. However, it can be a suitable
choice, if only, amount of size on the fabric is too less.
d. Enzymatic desizing:
Enzymatic desizing is the more suitable and most widely used method of
desizing the starch. Enzymes are the bio-catalysts having specific action
on the surface; a family of the enzymes known as amylases converts the
insoluble starch into numerous soluble scahardies by increasing the rate
of hydrolysis.
The enzymes breakdown the starch into water soluble sugar, maltose and
dextrin; these water soluble products can easily be washed out.
Typical Recipe

DESIZING

Chemical

Quantity

Parameter

Range

Liquor Ratio
Siruxx2ud
NaCl
Bactosol MTN
PROCEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Weigh the fabric and prepare the chemical bath according to the recipe.
Check pH of the bath and if required maintain it with acetic acid.
Dip the fabric in the chemical bath and load on the water bath.
Adjust all process parameters on the machine and start operation.
When process is completed hot rinse at 80-90C for 10-15min and then cold
rinse for 3mins.
6. Finally dry desized fabric at 90C in an oven.
Calculations:
S.N
O

Material

Fabric weight

Total liquor

Bactosol MTN

Siruxx 2UD

Quantity

NaCl
%of starch removed = (initial weight of sample final weight of
sample)x100%
Initial weight of sample
% of starch removed =
x 100% =
%
TEST RESULT:

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

DESIZING
2. Why pH of the desizing bath is kept acidic?

3. Describe the mechanism of starch hydrolysis through enzymatic desizing?

FINAL CHECK LIST:

1. Clean your machinery equipment/material and workbench before you leave.
2. Ensure the replacement of all equipments to their specified storage area.
3. Submit your answer to questions together with your data, calculation and
results before the next laboratory/experiment