THE EFFECT OF NON-CELLULOSIC CONSTITUENTS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF FLAX TOWARDS SODIUM-CHLORITE, UREA AND DYES

Flax fibres containing different amounts of non-cellulosic constituent s were prepared by subjecting the fibres to scouring and/or bleaching under different conditions. Scouring was based on treatment with an aq ueous solution of either alkaline sulphide/sulphite or alkaline dithio nite followed by bleaching with an aqueous sodium chlorite/potassium p ermanganate system. The scoured flax fibres exhibited much greater ble aching effect than did the grey flax. Grey flax and the four bleached substrates were reacted with urea to yield flax carbamate. This was me thylolated by reaction with formaldehyde. The extent of carbamation wa s related to the amount of the non-cellulosic material in the substrat e and the presence of copper(ll) chloride. The dyeability of the bleac hed flax was increased by the carbamation and methylolation sequence. The colour strength of dyed fibres was influenced by the methylol grou p content of the modified flax, the dyebath pH and nature of the dye u sed.