What is Biopolished Cotton?

It is a finishing process that uses cellulase to improve the surface of cellulosic fiber products to achieve durable anti-pilling and increase the smoothness and softness of the fabric. Bio-polishing is to remove the fine fibers protruding from the surface of the yarn. When these micro-fibers are removed, there will be no fluff and pilling, the color will be brighter, and the surface fluff will be reduced to make the cloth smoother. The function of the enzyme is to weaken the basal ends of the microfibers, but they are not separated from the yarn. This step is accomplished by mechanical force. Bio-polishing is to give the fabric a durable finishing effect. The enzyme preparation used here is a natural protein, which can be completely biodegraded and the amount used is relatively low. Therefore, the burden of the enzyme preparation on the sewage is very slight, which makes the biological smooth finishing more attractive than the corresponding chemical finishing.

Biological polishing

The concept of bio-polishing was first proposed in Japan, with an initial focus on processing woven fabrics. The purpose is to give the fabric a smooth appearance and to improve the feel. The concept of bio-polishing also extends to knitted products worldwide. At the same time, in order to improve the wearability of hemp products and increase the value-added demand of products in China, this finishing method has also received widespread attention. ^[1]

Bio-polished garments and fabrics give manufacturers the following selling points:

l Clothing and fabrics remain shiny for a long time

l Softer clothing and fabric

Compared with corresponding traditional processing methods, biological polishing has the following advantages:

l The fabric surface is smoother and lint-free,

l The fabric surface appears more uniform,

l reduce the tendency of fluff and pilling,

l Increase drape and smooth feel,

l Combined with common softeners to obtain unique softness,

l The treated fabric is more environmentally friendly.

2-1 In which process is biological polishing applied?

Any process that has friction on the surface can be regarded as a mechanical impact force. How much force is required will vary with the degree of fiber hydrolysis. Bio-polishing can be used on garments or fabrics, and can be used in any wet processing process, either alone or in combination with other processing processes. If combined, the process conditions must take into account both aspects. When the process conditions are not optimal for the enzyme, the amount of enzyme preparation should be adjusted appropriately. Bio-polishing can also be divided into two steps. The short fibers are weakened by enzyme immersion but not removed, and the short fibers on the surface of the garment are removed in subsequent water washing.

The effect of biological polishing can be tested in a variety of ways. The first is the weightlessness method. To ensure the effect of biological polishing, the general weightlessness is 1-5%, and the power loss is generally controlled at 5-15%. Different fabrics have different strength values before processing. Therefore, some fabrics can withstand stronger enzyme treatments than others.

2-2 Reduce the pilling of the fabric

It can be seen that the surface of the biologically polished fabric is obviously much cleaner. Enzymatic hydrolysis and mechanical shock work together to remove surface fur and fiber ends. As the fur is removed, the fabric becomes clearer and the color looks brighter. A more significant effect is the future anti-pilling tendency.

The use of bio-polishing significantly reduces the tendency to fluff and pilling. This effect is durable because the fiber ends are removed instead of being covered in place (using a softener or other finishing). Some current coating methods can reduce initial fluff Tended, but after washing 2 or 3 times, most of those treatment effects were washed away. At this point the superiority of bio-polishing was demonstrated. Even after repeated washing in domestic washing machines, the bio-polished fabrics remain relatively hairless, see the following data:

Table 1. Reduced hairball formation-durability of biopolishing in domestic washing machines

Fabric:

100% cotton

deal with:

3.0% on clothes Cellusoft L

device:

Martindale Fluff Tester

standard:

Swiss Norm SN 198525

Note:

5 = no fluffing 1 = severe fluffing

125 turns

500 revolutions

2000 rpm

Untreated

Biological polishing

2.0

5.0

2.0

5.0

2.0

5.0

Washed 5 times

Untreated

Biological polishing

2.0

5.0

2.0

5.0

2.0

4.0

Washed 20 times

Untreated

Biological polishing

2.0

5.0

2.0

5.0

1.5

4.0

The long-lasting anti-fluffing effect is one of the factors determining the biological polishing effect. Because the physical improvement is the improvement of the yarn itself, these advantages will be manifested throughout the life of the product. 100% cotton fabric is strengthened by real water washing test, Demonstrated success in reducing lint tendency and resistance to 60 home laundry.

2-3 Improve the usability of textiles

Bio-polished fabrics have several other advantages. The mobility between the treated yarn and the yarn is increased, so that the bending stress of the product is reduced, and the consumer has a unique soft feeling. Because the softness is obtained by replacing the coating method with this method of improving the nature of the yarn, the fabric can achieve maximum water absorption. The increase in water absorption rate can be tested without increasing the total water absorption of the fabric. Due to the improved hygroscopicity, consumers will feel that the garment is more comfortable to wear.

In addition, due to the increased roving of the yarn, the result will be an improvement in the feel and drape of the fabric.