Anti pilling finishing
Pilling is the formation of small knots of fibres on surface of the fabric.
This
entanglement of fiber spoils the appearance of The fabric.
the
main reason for this formation of pills is that the high tenacity fibres like 'PET,
Nylon form pills. The problem of pilling is mainly in polyester blends.
Factor influencing pilling
1) Fibre characteristics
like staple length, denier and cross section
2) Yarn construction.
3) Fabric construction.
Anti pilling treatment
1) Mechanical treatment.
2) Chemical treatment
Mechanical treatment
Cropping,
Shearing and Singeing include in this category
In
cropping and shearing, the fabric is first sheared and then cropped. The process
is repeated two or three times
It is then singed. This is the most important operation for reducing pilling.
It is then singed. This is the most important operation for reducing pilling.
During
singeing, the protruding fibres are burnt. They actually soften and melt
forming beads on the surface on fabric.
During
dyeing, it will give a Specky appearance. Hence, singeing is carried out after
dyeing.
Heat
setting at 150°C for 5 minutes also reduces of pilling and is carried out after
singeing and before washing off.
Chemical treatment
In one operation, 'he fabric is treated with 2 gpl of Caustic soda solution at 60°C for 30 minutes, washed, dried, and heat
set.
In
another method, the fabric is treated with 3.5 % Ammonia solution at 180°C for
a few minutes, followed by washing and drying.
The
mechanism involved in the above two methods
is to reduce the Strength of the fiber resulting in Lower Pilling
Another
simple method of reducing the pilling tendency is to apply a solution of
Adhesive or Resin so as to make the fibres clearing more strongly to each other
in the yarn and fabric. However, that would create a Harsh handle on the fabric
