Recrystallization of Regenerated Cellulose upon Mercerization

IN a recent paper 1 , it was shown by application of a quantitative X-ray method 2 that viscose rayon fibres, upon boiling with 2.5 N sulphuric acid, exhibit a distinct increase in crystallinity from 40 per cent initially to nearly 50 per cent, which is terminated within half an hour. The decrease of water sorption after the treatment was in line with this result.