Effect of Low Temperature Microwave Drying on Properties of Dyed Cashmere Fibers

A novel method of drying dyed cashmere fiber by low temperature microwave was proposed and investigated in this paper, the effect of low temperature microwave drying on the properties of dyed cashmere fiber was characterized and discussed in details. The results showed that the mechanical properties of cashmere after vacuum microwave drying were improved, and the highest rise of elongation at break was more than 6 %. The directional friction effect was weakened, and the maximum DFE loss was more than 40 % compared with that of steam-dried cashmere. The scales were damaged, while molecular structure and chemical bonds of cashmere fibers have not changed. Vacuum and microwave combined drying method can dry dyed cashmere at low temperature quickly, which has considerable advantages compared with traditional drying, and shows great potential for eco-friendly production of cashmere.