The Effect of Non-cellulosic Constituents on the Behaviour of Flax Towards Sodium Chlorite, Urea and Dyes

Flax fibres containing different amounts of non-cellulosic constituents were prepared by subjecting the fibres to scouring and/or bleaching under different conditions. Scouring was based on treatment with an aqueous solution of either alkaline sulphide/sulphite or alkaline dithionite followed by bleaching with an aqueous sodium chlorite/potassium permanganate system. The scoured flax fibres exhibited much greater bleaching effect than did the grey flax. Grey flax and the four bleached substrates were reacted with urea to yield flax carbamate. This was methylolated by reaction with formaldehyde. The extent of carbamation was related to the amount of the non-cellulosic material in the substrate and the presence of copper(II) chloride. The dyeability of the bleached flax was increased by the carbamation and methylolation sequence