. Annual report of the New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University and the Agricultural Experiment Station. New York State College of Agriculture; Cornell University. Agricultural Experiment Station; Agriculture -- New York (State). iio8 The Cornell Reading-Courses The organic acids —such as acetic axid in vinegar, oxalic acid in tomatoes, tartaric acid in grapes, and citric acid in lemons — have no action on cotton and linen unless they are allowed to dry on the fabric and are subsequently moistened and ironed dry with a hot iron. Then destructive results are produced. The pre
. Annual report of the New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University and the Agricultural Experiment Station. New York State College of Agriculture; Cornell University. Agricultural Experiment Station; Agriculture -- New York (State). iio8 The Cornell Reading-Courses The organic acids —such as acetic axid in vinegar, oxalic acid in tomatoes, tartaric acid in grapes, and citric acid in lemons — have no action on cotton and linen unless they are allowed to dry on the fabric and are subsequently moistened and ironed dry with a hot iron. Then destructive results are produced. The presence of starch in the cloth lessens the destructive action of any of the acids on it. Action of alkalis on cotton and linen.— The action of alkalis on cellulose differs from that of acids. Dilute washing-soda solution, borax, and soap have little or no harmful action on cotton or linen, but lye is more destruc- tive to these fabrics, especially at high temperatures and if allowed to act for any length of time in the presence of air. If a fabric made from cotton fibers is immersed for two minutes in a strong solution of lye it assumes a gelatinous appearance, and if it is then immediately removed' and washed free of the lye it is found to have shrunken greatly and to have become much closer and firmer in texture than it was before the immersion. The action of the strong alkali for the limited time mentioned has actually strengthened the cloth. It was thought at one time that the process just described would be very valuable in the manufacture of textile goods, but it so increased the strength of the fabric treated that garments were slow to wear out; hence its use was discontinued because it lessened sales for the manufacturer. A modification of the process, known as mercer- ization, gives to cotton goods a glossy, silky appearance without materially increasing its durability. It must not be thought, however, that because the limited action of strong alkali strengthens a
Size: 2100px × 1190px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookidannualreportne19122newybookyear19111971albany
