To make the best apparel, it is important to pick the correct fabric to work with. Fabrics can play an important role when you want to enhance your looks. To make a high-quality fabric, it is important to pick the right materials. This is why mercerized knit fabric is best. The fabric not only has good stretchability but also provides good comfort to its users. Mercerized knit fabric has many different uses from apparel to accessory items. In this article, we will be discussing all about this fabric in detail.
Table of Contents
What is Mercerized Knit Fabric?
Mercerized knit fabric made of cotton yarns that have been dyed in a sodium hydroxide base. The process of making this is similar to tie-dye knit fabric. The difference is the characteristics of the fabric which we get from dyeing in a sodium hydroxide solution. This chemical base substance is used to make the fabric strong and shiny. When dyeing tie-dye knit fabric, we get a colorful fabric that can be later designed. The dyeing process that is used to make mercerized knit makes it more durable.
The fabric has to go through a different process that makes it attractive to your eyes. Although the fabric is known to us, it was still a mystery till the year 1844 when it was first made by a person named John Mercer. During that time, British mercenaries showed the least interest in the fabric. It was in the 1890s when the fabric caught people’s attention. It was found that using caustic soda on the fabric can make it more lustrous. Till then, mercerized knit fabric began its journey in the cotton industries which didn’t take time to become popular among industries.
Characteristics of Mercerized Knit Fabric
Durability
The mercerized knit fabric is durable because of the dyeing process. The fabric goes through a chemical solution which increases its durability. Although the fabric goes through a mercerization process, the cotton fibers are naturally durable.
Comfortability
The cotton fibers used in mercerized fabric have amazing comfort due to the natural properties of cotton. The mercerization process of making this fabric helps to increase the comfort of the fabric.
Longevity
Cotton is known for its longevity which is one of its natural properties. Cotton has good resistance against pilling which makes it last for a long time. The fabric can hold its shape for a long time and has great water absorption capabilities.
Fabric shine
Cotton fibers are not only known for their comfort but also their shine. The fabric can easily stand out from the other fabrics when worn. The apparel and accessories made from this fabric are of high quality and have good shine and looks.
Dyeing Capability
Mercerized fabric has excellent dyeing capabilities due to the cotton fibers. The acid bath used in making the fabric gives its shine as well as makes it durable. The fabric has good moisture absorption capabilities which will always give us vibrant and long-lasting colors.
Properties of Mercerized Knit Fabric
| Fabric Name | Mercerized knit fabric |
| Durability | High |
| Breathability | Low |
| Dyeing Capability | High |
| Water Absorption Ability | High |
| Water Retention Ability | Good |
| Fabric Weight | 150-200GSM |
| Cost | High |
| Softness | High |
| Fabric Pilling | Low |
| Chemical Temperature | 15-18°C |
| PH level | 5-6 |
| Uses | Apparel, industry uses accessories and home decor. |
Manufacturing process
The fabric is named after mercerization which was given due to its simple yet effective manufacturing process. The process includes using sodium hydroxide as its primary solution which gives it a lustrous effect. The fibers get swollen which increases the surface area of the fabric.
Mercerization process
Before applying the solution base, it is important to get the fabric desized. It is an important process that helps to get rid of all the dirt from the fabric. The method helps to remove the natural substances from the fabric which could be starch and other substances. The fabric is soaked in a sodium hydroxide solution at room temperature for about ten minutes. It helps to remove all the excess substances from the fabric and makes the fabric stronger. Then the fabric has to go through an acid bath which serves as the neutralization process. The fabric must run through hot flames at a high speed which makes the fabric crystal-looking. This process needs to be carried out in a warm temperature which makes the fabric lustrous.
Washing
After dipping the fabric in an acidic solution, the fabric goes through rough washing. The chemical substances are rinsed off underwater to prevent any type of skin irritation.
Neutralizing
The fabric goes through another neutralization process which includes an acidic-based solution that neutralizes the sodium hydroxide solution.
Finishing
The fabric is rinsed for the final time to get rid of any excess alkaline solution. The machine is fed with clean water which is used to rinse the fabric. After rinsing, the fabric needs to get dried and ready for use.
Applications
| Apparel | T-shirts, jeans, lingerie, polo, cotton sheets, khaki pants, khaki dresses, and overcoats. |
| Home Decor | Bedsheets, pillow covers, curtains, napkins, table cloth, and runners. |
| Industrial uses | Domestic production |
| Accessories | Hats, ties, bow ties, towels, hand towels, napkins, and pocket squares. |
Conclusion
Mercerized knit fabric has an overall high rating due to its characteristics. The fabric goes through rough chemical solutions to produce fine fabric. Mercerized fabric has thick and soft fibers which is possible through the mercerization process. The fabric is handy to use and has many applications. It is relatively easy to wash the fabric. It can be hand washed and can also be machine washed at certain settings. You can hand wash the fabric after soaking it in water for 1-2 hours. Although the fabric can be hand-washed, you must go through a drying process to stop shrinkage. To machine wash the fabric, you must wash it in warm water and then use a dryer to quickly get rid of the water.
