A Study on Modal Fabric using Formic Acid Treatment for K/S, SEM and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Modal is a second generation regenerated cellulosic fiber obtained from wood pulp, particularly from the beech tree wood. Modal was at first introduced by Lenzing AG Company of Austria. Modal is very soft, shiny in nature and silk feel than mercerized cotton with the ability to absorb up to 50% more water than cotton. In this study, modal fabrics (woven and knitted) are selected and conventionally pretreated and subjected with 98% formic acid in different concentrations. The formic acid treated modal fabrics were then undergone for different testings, such as, physical properties, wicking, K/S values, fastness properties, SEM studies and FTIR analysis. These treatments on modal fabrics were correspondingly compared with those of cotton for its effectiveness.