On-line measurement of the degree of mercerization using remote near-IR spectroscopy

A method of determining the degree of mercerization of cotton fabric on the preparation range was developed. The method uses a remote near-IR measurem ent to detect changes in cotton from Cellulose I to Cellulose II as a conse quence of mercerization. The Cellulose II/I conversion ratio has been corre lated to the degree of mercerization.(1,2) A PLS prediction model calibrati on equation was developed by correlating near-IR absorbance Values to the b arium activity numbers of the fabric samples, which was subsequently used t o determine the mercerization index of cotton fabric on a Benninger Dimensa Mercerization Range. The near-IR Mercerization Index exhibited a strong co rrelation with a barium activity number of the same fabrics.