SWELLING

PROPERTIES
 Swelling:
When a fibre absorbs water, they change in
dimension (length, width). Swelling is occurred
in transversely (widthwise) and axially
(lengthwise).
It may be expressed in terms of the increase in
diameter, area, length & volume.

 Types of swelling/ change in fibre

dimension:
1. Transverse diameter swelling
2. Transverse area swelling
3. Axial swelling
4. Volume swelling
1. Transverse diameter swelling:

Fractional increase in diameter of fibre is transverse

diameter swelling.
It is expressed by,

SD =

Where,
D = Original dia of fibre
= Increased swollen dia of fibre.
2. Transverse area swelling:

Fractional increase in area of the fibre is transverse

area swelling.
It is expressed by,

SA =

Where,
A = Original area of fibre.
= Increased swollen area of fibre.
3. Axial swelling:

Fractional increase in length of fibre is axial swelling.

It is expressed by,

SL =

Where,
L = Original length of fibre
= Increased swollen length of fibre
4. Volume swelling:

Fractional increase in volume of fibre is volume

swelling. It is expressed by,

SV =

Where,
V = Original volume of fibre
V = Increased swollen volume of fibre
 Swelling phenomenon in fibres:
In a highly oriented fibre, the molecular chains are
lying parallel to the fibre axis. As a result fibre has a
low molecular space between the chains and swelling
will be lower due to lower molecular space.

When the fibres are immersed into water, the water

molecules enter into the molecular space of fibre and
pushed the fibre chain and these will be considerable
increase in diameter but very little increase in length.
 Effect/ Importance of Swelling:

 Improve the absorption of dyes and

chemicals.
 Increase the dimensional stability of the
fabric.
 Due to swelling, the pores of closely
interlaced woven fabric will be completely
blocked and they may produce water proof
fabric.
 Improve fastness of dyed materials.

 Elastic properties changed.

 Typical value of swelling of swelling% of
different fibres

Area Diameter Volume

Fibre Axial swelling
swelling swelling swelling
Cotton 40 20 0.1 —
Jute 40 20 — —
Viscose 67 35 3.7 119
Wool 25 14.8 — 37
Silk 19 16.5 16 30
 Viscoseswelling is greater than Nylon
swelling:

Nylon is more oriented than viscose. In

Nylon, the molecules are lying parallel to the
fibre axis. So Nylon has a low molecular space
between the chains and in viscose high
molecular space. So when the fibres are
immersed in water, the water molecules can
easily penetrate in molecular space of viscose
than Nylon and in Nylon show resistance to
penetrate water.
 Rates of swelling depends on:

 Size and form of the sample, such as- fiber,

yarn, fabric etc.
 Composition of the material, such as- cotton,
polyester, acrylic, nylon etc.
 External condition, such as- temperature.

 Chemical content, such as- oil, wax other

impurities.
Relation between SV, SL & SA:

We know,

Transverse area swelling, SA =

Axial swelling, SL =

Volume swelling, SV =

If the fibre is uniform along its length, we have

original volume of fibre, V = AL where, L is the
original length and A is the original area of the
fibre.
After swelling, the swollen volume of fibre,
V + ∆V = (A + ∆A). (L + ∆L)
Now,
V V  V  V
SV = =
V V
( A  A).( L  L)  AL
=
AL
AL  AL  AL  AL  AL
=
AL
AL AL AL AL
=    1
AL AL AL AL
A L A L
=   
A L A L
= SL + SA + SA. SL

So, SV = SL + SA + SA. SL