The Porosity of Textile Fibre Surfaces

Summary The effects of dyeing on the porosity of samples of charcoal cloth and cotton fabric have been examined from nitrogen adsorption isotherms. So too has the effect on the cotton fabric of mercerisation, a treatment which causes dimensional changes to the constituent fibres. On application from 1% sodium chloride solution, increased contents of dye in the charcoal cloth progressively block the micropores and reduce mesopore area; but treatment with sodium chloride solution alone increases microporosity. Mercerisation of the cotton fabric enhances the mesoporous nature of the surface. The effect on porosity of treatment with a reactive dye is less clear-cut; it is tentatively suggested that application of the dye narrows the mesopores.