Effects of carbon chain length of acrylate monomer on sizing properties of sesbania gum-g-polyacrylate

Abstract

A series of acrylate monomers with different carbon chain lengths including methyl acrylate (MA), ethyl acrylate (EA), butyl acrylate (BA) and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) has been grafted onto molecular chains of native sesbania gum (SG) to obtain SG-g-polyacrylate with similar grafting ratios through Fenton’s initiator respectively. Effects of carbon chain length of the series of acrylates on sizing properties of the grafted SG on polyester yarn have been studied. It is found that, by grafting acrylates onto the molecular chains of SG, its sizing properties are improved markedly. Under the condition of similar grafting ratios, SG-g-PMA shows the highest apparent viscosity, tenacity of sizing film, wettability and adhesion strength to polyester fibre in all the grafted SG prepared. SG-g-PEA and SG-g-PEHA show the highest wear resistance and elongation of sizing film respectively. The polyester/cotton (65/35) warp yarns sized by SG-g-PMA, SG-g-PEHA and SG-g-PEA possess the highest tensile strength, tensile elongation and abrasion resistance respectively, in all the sized conditions. The SG grafted with acrylate monomers with different carbon chain lengths can meet various requirements in sizing polyester yarn.