Effect of Sizing Wax on Tensile Properties, Abrasion Resistance, and Weaving Performance of Polyester/Cotton Yarn Sized with Polyvinyl Alcohol

Abstract

A comparison is made of tensile and abrasive properties and weaving performance of polyester/cotton yams sized with polyvinyl alcohol with and without wax in the size formulation. Waxy lubricants are usually present in size formulations for spun yams. Wax enhances size application by reducing the tendency of the size to stick to drying cylinders, lowering the force necessary to split the yams at the lease rods, and defoaming the formulation. Wax is often difficult and costly to remove from fabrics in finishing, however, which raises manufacturing costs and lowers fabric quality. Wax also reduces the strength of the size film, adhesion of the size to the fibers and, con sequently, the resistance to abrasion of the yam. Since sized yam must have at least a minimum level of abrasion resistance in order to be woven successfully, a higher size add-on level is necessary when wax is present in the size formulation.