Effects of alkyl chain length of acrylates on sizing properties of grafted feather keratin

Abstract

In this study, sizing properties of grafted feather keratin for high polyester content warp yarns have been improved by preparing a series of feather keratin-<i>g</i>-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylate) through grafting acrylate monomers with various alkyl chain lengths and hydrophilic monomer [acrylic acid (AA)] onto molecular chains of native feather keratin. The feed molar ratio of AA/acrylate is kept constant during the preparation. Effects of alkyl chain length of acrylate monomers on sizing properties of feather keratin-<i>g</i>-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylate) to polyester/cotton(65/35) blended warp yarns has been studied in terms of tensile strength & elongation, abrasion resistance, and hairiness. The grafting of acrylates onto the molecular chains of feather keratin significantly improves the sizing properties of grafted feather keratin. With the increase in alkyl chain length, the tensile strength, tensile elongation, and abrasion resistance of the sized yarns are improved, while the hairiness amount is increased. Acrylate monomers with different alkyl chain lengths during the preparation of grafted feather keratin sizes can be selected according to various requirements for high polyester content warp yarns.