Alkaline dissolution monitoring of radial-type polyester microfiber fabrics by a cationic dye-staining method

The alkaline dissolution behavior of radial-type polyester microfibers during high-temperature alkali treatment and cold-pad batch alkali treatment was successfully monitored using a cationic dye-staining method. The weight reduction behavior of the alkali-treated microfiber fabrics and their staining behavior with a cationic dye were compared. In addition, the termination of dissolution monitored by both methods was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 279–285, 2006