Some recent developments in textile processes

✍ Scribed by Aron Hamburger

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1898
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 683 KB
• Volume: 145
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-0032
• DOI: 10.1016/s0016-0032(98)90322-2

✦ Synopsis

As early as I844 John Mercer, a cotton printer, of Lancashire, England, discovered that, when subjected to a strong solution of caustic soda or caustic potash, cotton fibers be= came greatly contracted in length, as well as more dense, and to a high degree capable of being directly dyed with basis dyestuffs.

He made this discovery the basis of broad patents, which were issued to trim in England and in continental countries in . I85O, and, to quote the original patent application, his claims were as follows:

"The invention consists in subjecting vegetable fabrics and fibrous materials, cotton, flax, etc., either in the raw or manufactured state, to the action of caustic soda or caustic potash, dilute sulphuric acid, or chloride of zinc, of a strength and temperature sufficient to produce the new effects, and to giye the new properties to them which I have hereafter described. MERCER'S INVENTION DESCRIBED.