Introduction

Desizing is done in order to removes the size from warp yarn of the
woven fabric. Warp yarn are coated with sizing agents period to weaving
in order to reduce their fractional properties, decrease yarn breakage in
loom and improve weaving productivity by increasing weft insertion
speed.

The sizing materials present on warp yarn acts as a resist toward dye and
chemicals in textile wet processing. it must therefore be removed before
any subsequent wet processing of the fabric.
Definition:

Desizing is the first wet process in textile finishing technology employed to

remove the sizing material from the fabric.

Desizing is the process of removing the size materials from the warp yarns
in woven fabrics. Sizing agents are selected on the basis of type of fabric,
environmental friendliness, easy of removal, cost considerations, effluent
treatment.

This process is only for woven fabric and not require for knitted fabric.
 Objects of desizing:

▪ Main object is to remove the size from the grey fabric that has been
applied during weaving and thus to make the fabric ready for further
processes.
▪ To increase absorbency of the fabric.
▪ To increase luster of dyeing and printing.
▪ To perfect action of scouring and bleaching.
 Factors on which the desizing efficiency depends

The factors on which the efficiency of size removal depends are as

follow...

▪ Type and the amount of size applied

▪ Viscosity of the size in solution
▪ Ease of dissolution of the size film on the yarn
▪ The solubility of the film forming polymer.
▪ Fabric construction
▪ Method of desizing and
▪ Method of washing off
Methods of Desizing
 Rot steeping

▪ This is the oldest and cheapest method of desizing.

▪ Here no special chemical is used.
▪ The cloth is first passed through warm water at 400c (400c-600c) in a
padding mangle where the cloth is squeezed to about 100% expression.
▪ The cloth is then allowed to stand for 24 hours.
▪ The microorganisms, naturally present in water, multiply and
secrete starch-liquefying (hydrolysing) enzymes, which break down the
starch present in the size to water-soluble products
▪ The cloth is then washed to remove these products.
Advantages
▪ Rot steeping is the cheapest of all the desizing methods.
▪ No chemicals are required.

Disadvantages
▪ A large floor space is required for this process.
▪ The process is slow, so desizing time is long.
▪ Mildew may attack the cloth during steeping and cause stains on the
fabric.
 Acid Desizing

▪ Dilute sulphuric acid or hydrochloric acid may be used to hydrolysis the

starch from the sized fabric.
▪ 0.25% - 0.5 % solution of the acid at room temperature (30o c) is suitable
—
for this process.
▪ —The cloth is impregnated with the dilute acid solution in a two-bowl or
three- bowl padding mangle and then stored for 8-12 hours in a closed
concrete pit
▪ In this method, 0.5-1.0 % dilute Sulphuric acid solution or HCl acid at 40-
60˚C is used for 4-6 hrs. to hydrolyze the starch from the sized fabric.
Advantages
▪ Acid desizing is an economical process.
▪ The process is effective and gives fairly uniform desizing, as it is a
chemical- based process. It does not require specific conditions of pH
and can be done at room temperature.
▪ It is a much quicker process than rot steep desizing.

Disadvantages
▪ The main disadvantage of the process is that mineral acid is harmful to
cellulose fibres if proper care is not taken.
▪ Especially during the storage stage, the acid-wet fabric must not be allowed
to dry.
▪ This would cause the formation of hydrocellulose, which will weaken the
fibre.
Alkali steeping:
In this method starch is remove by caustic soda. In this method fabric
containing starch would be expanded under the hot solution
of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda -NaOH). Padding the fabric in alkali
and stacked under 60 ~80o C for 6 to 12 hours, the desizing process can
be finished.

Advantages:
➢ Economically use and cheap.
➢ Mercerizing can be done in same alkali (reusable).

Disadvantages:
➢ Considerable shrinkage may occur.
Enzymatic desizing:
Enzymatic desizing is the most widely experienced method to desize the
starch. Enzymatic desizing is the classical desizing process of degrading
starch size on cotton fabrics using enzymes.

The hydrolysis of starch using enzymes under particular concentration,

temperature and duration is called enzymatic desizing.

Characteristics of enzyme:
•Enzymes are living organism.
•In particular pH, concentration , temperature, enzymes are multipliable.
•Enzymes have no action at temperature 80oc.
•The main function of enzymes is fermentation of starch.
•Enzymes are highly specific.
•It is based on protein.
Recipe for enzymatic de sizing of cotton woven fabric:

 Wetting agent – 1g/l

 Sequestering agent – 1g/l
 Common salt – 2g/l
 Acetic acid – 0.5g/l
 De sizing enzyme – 3g/l
 Temperature – 60◦c
 Time – 30-45 minutes
 PH – 6.0-7.0
 M:L – 1:40
Four faces must be considered for a successful enzymatic desizing process.

1.Preparation of the desizing mixture: Agents should be added:

Water
Wetting agent
Salt
Acid/Alkali
Enzyme.

First, salt and wetting agent are added than enzyme.

2.Saturation: Fabrics containing starch as sizing materials are difficult to

wet out. So, it is mandatory that the mass of fiber and size be saturated to
approx. 100% wet pick up.
Digestion: It means the process of converting starch to soluble materials. In
a continuous process, fabrics are run through a steamer and conversion is
accomplished during the steaming time available. In case of J-box,
temperature range is 60 C to 90 C and time is 15 to 20 mins.

Washing: When desizing has been completed, it should be relatively easy to

remove the short chain sugar as they are water soluble.

Main controlling points:

 Temperature
 PH
 Fabric speed
 Concentration
Advantages
▪ Time required for the desizing process is less.
▪ It is continuous process, so greater production can be achieved.
▪ Closely constructed fabric can be easily desized, due to the effective
enzyme action.
▪ There is no chance for the cellulose to get hydrolysed, as in acid
desizing.

Disadvantages
▪ Lower additional cleaning effect towards other impurities.
▪ No effect on certain starches (e.g. tapioca starch)
De-sizing test:
After de-sizing following test is done to ensure the de-sizing 0.24 gm
potassium Iodide (KI)+0.13 gm Iodine (I2)+water to make 100 m solution
(Iodine in potassium iodide solution)

A drop of above solution then put on the de-sized fabric and following are
observed:

•Deep blue: present of starch

•Violet: partially degrade dextrin.
•Brown: completely degrade dextrin.
Common Problems in Enzymatic Desizing

A. Incomplete Desizing
B. Uneven Desizing (widthways)
C. Uneven Desizing (lengthways)