The density and sorptive capacity of some samples of cotton, silk and wool. Part IV. Some remarks on the sorption of water by cotton, silk and wool

Abstract

In this paper the relations between the volumes of dry fibres and fibres with different percentages of regain are discussed. With the aid of these relations and based on the opinion, that a solid substance will not sorb a liquid with appreciable contraction, the conclusion is reached that water will be sorbed by hydrophylic fibres In three ways, viz.:1. by absorption in the outer layer of the micelles. 2. by adsorption at the micelle surface without contriiction. and 3. by capillary condensation also without contraction.T h e effect of the felting process and dyeing processes on the quantity of water sorbed. and more generally on the sorptive capacities of the fibres cotton, silk and wool is discussed. Introduction.The relation between the amount of water sorbed by cotton. silk and wool. and the relative humidity of the atmosphere into which the fibres are brought, resulting in the typical S-shaped curves 1 ) . does not disclose in what manner the sorbed water is held by the fibres. The purpose of this paper is to study this last subject with the aid