Dyeing and mechanical properties of cellulosic fabrics processed by high pressure steaming

Natural and regenerated cellulosic; fabrics were processed by high-pressure steam at 180degreesC for 5 min. Crystallinity, moisture regain, water absorption, dyeing properties, and mechanical properties were investigated. The crystallinity of the fabrics increased considerably, whereas the water absorption and the dye uptake decreased. The residual shrinkage was improved, especially for regenerated cellulosic fabrics. The shearing and bending parameters by Kawabata Evaluation System were apparently decreased by the high-pressure steaming except for cotton fabric. Therefore, the high-pressure steaming of cellulosic fabrics is effective to improve the fabric hand as well as the washing shrinkage.