Sizing is a crucial process for textiles mills as it improves fabric strength and durability. It involves immersing the yarn [thread] in sizing tanks to facilitate the penetration of sizing agents. The duration of yarn immersion and the solution’s temperature and viscosity play a pivotal role in determining the amount of size the yarn absorbs. This, in turn, strengthens the yarn, a transformation that becomes evident when the treated yarn is woven into fabric using looms.
Commonly used sizing agents include starch, animal fat, PVA, binders. The advent of single-shot sizing solutions which combine multiple sizing agents in one solution has streamlined solution preparation for yarn sizing, albeit with potential drawbacks.
The chemical properties of these single-shot sizing solutions can sometimes be detrimental to rubber roll covers used as squeeze rolls to wring out the excessive solution. Traditional rubber covers supplied for such applications have often underperformed, losing hardness and negatively affecting size pick-up, productivity, and yarn strength. This, in turn, has increased the risk of yarn breakage in the weaving loom.
After a year of extensive R&D development work, Lathia Rubber successfully introduced “Maxsize” roll covers capable of withstanding the aggressive chemicals prevalent in the single-shot sizing machines. These covers have demonstrated resilience, maintaining hardness and other rubber properties over eight months of continuous operation. They consistently deliver uniform performance, including consistent hardness across the cover and extended life between grind cycles.
We encourage textile mills engaged in yarn sizing to reach out to learn more on how they can improve fabric strength and reduce yarn breakage.
