Mercerized Egyptian cotton: properties, advantages and disadvantages

Egyptian cotton is considered the best in the world.And it is not surprising, because for its production high-quality natural ingredients, exclusively natural dyes are used. Cotton yarn is an excellent choice for craftsmen who need to use environmentally friendly, safe materials.

What is the procedure for mercerizing cotton?

Not suitable for mercerization processing.all varieties of cotton. To obtain high-grade fabric, the starting material must be of exceptional quality. Therefore, the procedure is subjected to mainly long-staple elite cotton.

Egyptian cotton is processed by the mercerization method as follows:

1. Нити материала вымачиваются в слабом растворе caustic soda. The process is controlled by automated systems that track material performance as it is processed. As a result, Egyptian cotton acquires the ability to dye and becomes more durable.
2. The next step is bleaching the yarn,that allows you to neutralize the effect of alkaline-hydrogen solution. Next, cotton yarn is dyed. Thus, the threads become durable and saturated color.
3. 100% cotton is burned by gas burners. Thus, the threads acquire a cylindrical shape, their hairiness level decreases, the material becomes smooth and attractive gloss.

Material properties

In the process of mercerization, natural bouffant is removed from Egyptian cotton, which makes it possible to obtain shiny, smooth yarns. Therefore, one of the main advantages of the material is the similarity with silk.

Изделия из мерсеризованного хлопка чрезвычайно robust and at the same time distinguished by a supple, soft structure. This fabric does not fade in the sun and does not change the shade in bright light. The material is difficult to deform or tear during washing.

Due to the high level of hygroscopicity, fabrics from mercerized cotton are pleasant to the touch, perfectly manifest themselves during socks, do not cause irritation when in contact with the skin.

disadvantages

The disadvantages of mercerized cotton fabric include the appearance of the effect of shrinkage after washing. In addition, such products dry long enough.

Cotton yarn can not be called elastic. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for the manufacture of cloths that are homogeneous in structure, or things with openwork patterns.

The disadvantages of natural cotton yarn are corrected by adding acrylic, viscose, polyester fibers to the material structure. In this way, truly lightweight, durable fabrics are obtained.

How to determine the Egyptian mercerized cotton?

When choosing a yarn it is extremely important to distinguish the materialwhich has undergone special treatment, from ordinary cotton. Indeed, in the market there are often high-quality fakes. To determine mercerized Egyptian cotton, it is necessary to resort to the following steps:

1. When checking the yarn, pull the thread out of the skein and set it on fire. The latter should burn without residue. At the same time the smell will remind of burnt paper.
2. Crumple cotton fabric, hold in hand for a few seconds. If the material is much in doubt, this is not real mercerized cotton.
3. Run your hand over the surface of the material. Standard cotton will leave a feeling of roughness. Mercerized fabric will be smooth.

As an additional factor, according to which the original material can be determined, its color appears. Mercerized yarn has bright, rich shades.

The ultimate Egyptian cotton, whichsubjected to special chemical treatment, an order of magnitude more expensive than the usual material. Mercerization itself is an expensive procedure. Yes, and Egyptian cotton itself has a higher cost, because its fibers are longer than that of ordinary varieties.

Finally

Despite the relatively high price, purchaseEgyptian mercerized cotton yarn is a good monetary investment. The finished products from the presented material will amaze with their stable color, silky, smooth structure, excellent moisture permeability.