Toughened cyanoethyl starch by blending with poly(methyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid-co-acrylonitrile) latex for warp sizing

Abstract

The effect of an emulsion-copolymerized poly(methyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid-co-acrylonitrile) latex on the toughening of cyanoethyl starch (CES) has been studied through blending to reduce the brittleness of CES film for warp sizing. The toughening has been accessed in terms of breaking elongation, tensile strength, work-at-break, and bending endurance of CES film. Also, the influences of the latex on the adhesion-to-fibre, desizability, and aerobic biodegradation of CES have been examined. The results show that the latex is able to toughen CES film and this action depends strongly on its blending ratio. With the increases in ratio, the breaking elongation, work-at-break, and bending endurance of the film increase gradually, whereas tensile strength of the film decreases slowly. In addition, blending the latex with CES favors the adhesion of CES to cotton and polyester fibres. It has also been found that the latex/CES blends are desizable and aerobic degradable. Suitable blending ratio in warp sizing is found in a range of 12-16 % by weight.