Crystal Transformation
X-ray diffraction analysis quantifies lattice restructuring inside flax fiber walls following high-concentration sodium hydroxide treatment. Chemical restructuring during mercerization cellulose conversion transitions native cellulose I crystal lattices into thermodynamically stable cellulose II configurations. Chinese woven linen finishing mills operate chainless mercerizing frames using 18 to 24 percent caustic soda solutions at room temperature to enhance fabric luster and dimensional stability.
This structural conversion applies exclusively to alkali-treated cellulosic fibers and terminates when residual sodium hydroxide is washed out under tension.
Fabric Swelling
Concentrated caustic liquor penetrates the thick secondary cell walls of flax bast fibers, collapsing central lumens and swelling fiber cross-sections into rounded cylindrical shapes. Incomplete mercerization cellulose conversion leaves unreacted cellulose I cores within heavy linen yarns, causing non-uniform fiber shrinkage during subsequent drying operations. Tension rollers maintain warp and weft dimensions during liquor impregnation to prevent fabric contraction.
Proper tension control optimizes surface luster while minimizing fabric weight loss during alkaline processing.
Dye Receptivity
Amorphous regions within converted flax cellulose accommodate significantly larger volumes of dyestuff molecules during exhaust or pad-steam dyeing. Achieving complete mercerization cellulose conversion increases color yield and reactive dye exhaustion rates while reducing dye consumption in export production batches. Lab technicians verify conversion uniformity by testing barium activity numbers across mercerized linen fabric width.
