Mercerised cotton yarn is treated to enhance its lustre, strength and colour. Here is what the process does and when to use it.
What is mercerisation?
Mercerisation treats cotton yarn (or fabric) with a caustic solution under tension. This swells and smooths the fibres, giving a permanent silk-like sheen.
Benefits
- Lustre — a smooth, silk-like sheen.
- Strength — increased tensile strength.
- Better dye uptake — richer, brighter, more even shades.
- Reduced shrinkage and a smoother hand-feel.
When to use mercerised yarn
Choose it for premium knitwear, polo shirts, fine wovens and any fabric where sheen and vivid colour matter. For everyday or rugged fabric, standard cotton is usually sufficient.
What to specify
State that you need mercerised (and gassed mercerised for extra smoothness, if required), plus count and blend.
Sourcing
AA Enterprises supplies mercerised and standard cotton yarn. Request a quote with your count and finish.