Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a common water-soluble cellulose ether, which is widely used in the textile industry. It is mainly used in the following processes and plays corresponding roles:
Sizing process: Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can be used as a sizing agent for fabrics. During the weaving process, the warp yarn needs to withstand greater tension and friction, which can easily cause fiber wear and breakage on the yarn surface, affecting the smooth progress of weaving. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is prepared into a slurry of a certain concentration and sizing is performed on the warp yarn. It can form a uniform and tough film on the yarn surface, enhance the wear resistance of the yarn, reduce the friction between the yarns and between the yarns and the loom parts, reduce the breakage rate, and improve the weaving efficiency; at the same time, CMC can increase the strength of the yarn, making it difficult for the yarn to be broken during the weaving process; in addition, it can also increase the smoothness of the yarn, so that it can pass through the various parts of the loom more smoothly during the weaving process.
Printing and dyeing process: As a printing paste, in the process of fabric printing, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can be used as a printing paste to thicken the printing paste, so that the printing paste has a certain viscosity, prevent the paste from penetrating the fabric, and ensure the clarity and accuracy of the pattern. It can make the dyes and auxiliaries in the paste evenly distributed in the paste, and can be accurately transferred to the fabric during printing, improving the uniformity and brightness of the printing; at the same time, it can also adjust the rheological properties of the paste, so that it has good fluidity and plasticity during the printing process, which is convenient for the printing operation. As a dyeing auxiliary, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can be used as a dyeing auxiliary in the dyeing process. It can increase the stability of the dye solution, prevent the dye from agglomerating and precipitating during the dyeing process, and improve the uniformity and color fastness of the dyeing. In addition, CMC can also play a slow dyeing role, so that the dye slowly reacts with the fiber, thereby obtaining a more uniform dyeing effect and avoiding problems such as uneven dyeing and color flowers.
Finishing process: In the fabric finishing process, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can be used as an additive for the finishing agent. It can cooperate with other finishing agents (such as softeners, antistatic agents, etc.) to improve the finishing effect. For example, in softening finishing, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can increase the adsorption amount and uniformity of softeners on the fabric surface, making the fabric have a better soft feel; in antistatic finishing, it can improve the stability and durability of antistatic agents and enhance the antistatic properties of fabrics.
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose plays an important role in sizing, printing and dyeing, and finishing processes in the textile industry, helping to improve the quality and production efficiency of textiles.
