Effect of Glycol and Acrylamide Treatments of Jute Fibre on its Processibility

ABSTRACT

Changes in textile-related properties of jute fibre subjected to (a) controlled/limited oxidation using K₂S₂O₈ and/or NaIO₄ and subsequently to (b) treatment with monomeric/oligomeric glycols and with acrylamide under specified condition were studied and reported in our earlier communication. In the present part of the work, the process performances of the chemically modified jute fibres obtained from the above mentioned treatments were further studied to assess their process performance during yarn making, including spinnability and property performance of the resultant yarns. Studies on process performance for yarn making, including spinnability, indicate that the specified treatment with a mixture of 4% PEG 1500 and 4% acrylamide and also with 8% ethylene glycol on jute fibre presoaked with 0.5% K₂S₂O₈ produced a better process performance, showing net advantages in respect of (1) improved energy efficiency and lower fibre droppage during carding, (2) trouble free spinning (zero to low-end breakage rate), (3) better yarn structure (showing enhanced packing fraction and lower structural irregularities), and (4) improved balance in important yarn properties viz, tenacity, initial modulus, flexural rigidity, quality ratio, work of rupture, and resistance to microbial attack.

KEYWORDS:

• Acrylamide
• chemical modification
• glycols
• jute
• microbial resistance
• process performance for yarn making
• properties of yarn

Gautam Basu is grateful to the Director, National Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research for granting study leave to carry out this work. He is also grateful to the Principal, Institute of Jute Technology, Kolkata for providing necessary laboratory facilities.