Shrink-proofing finish of cashmere fibers using potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate was used for oxidizing shrink-proofing of cashmere fibers.The factors affecting the felting volume and strength of the cashmere fibers were analyzed by orthogonal test.It was found through visual analysis,variance analysis and F test that the mass fraction of potassium permanganate was the main factor influencing the felting volume and tensile strength of the fiber.When the treatment was performed with potassium permanganate 3%,at pH=3,and at 50 ℃ for 20 min,the felting volume of the treated cashmere fibers was nearly two times as much as that of the untreated fibers,but the tensile strength remained similar.