RENDERING FLAX FIBER DYEABLE WITH BASIC-DYES VIA PARTIAL CARBOXYMETHYLATION

Carboxymethylation of flax has been carried out by first treating the fibres with sodium hydroxide followed by the sodium salt of monochloro acetic acid. The treatment was carried out under a variety of conditio ns. Variables studied included concentrations of monochloroacetic acid and sodium hydroxide in the impregnating solutions, as well as durati on and temperature of the reaction. It was found that the extent of ca rboxymethylation increased substantially by controlling the concentrat ions of alkali and monochloroacetic acid, and by reacting for 60 min a t 70 degrees C. The behaviour of selected samples of partially carboxy methylated flax towards basic dyes was also studied.