How we can say NaOH is used in merserizing cotton? What does it mean? Thank you

1 Answer
Sep 3, 2017

This is an old chemical process used for the treatment of cotton threads......

Explanation:

And of course it derives from the old mill towns of Northern England, Lancaster and Manchester, and was named after its inventor, John Mercer. Mercerising of cotton dips the cotton threads into sodium hydroxide, and this changes the performance and feel of the cotton; specifically it allows the fabric to take dye better. This falls more under the purview of the chemical engineer than the chemist.