Performance Evaluation of 100% Viscose Rayon Fabric Pre-treated with Different Alkalis

This study attempted to focus on the performance evaluation of 100% viscose rayon fabric in terms of strength, whiteness and hydrophilicity or absorbency after scouring and bleaching with two different alkalis such as NaOH and Na₂CO₃. This work was carried out with 100% viscose rayon knitted fabrics. A single stage scouring and bleaching process of the fabric was adopted using NaOH and Na₂CO₃ with varying concentrations and at the same processing conditions. The result obtained in this study indicated a great loss in strength with NaOH as compared to that with Na₂CO₃. Both the alkalis were found to be more or less equally efficient in terms of improved absorbency and whiteness.