Effects of monomer compatibility on sizing properties of feather keratin-g-P(AA-co-MA)

In order to endow feather keratin with good sizing properties for all-polyester or high-polyester yarns, methyl acrylate (MA) and acrylic acid (AA) monomers with a variation in feed molar ratio from 10/90 to 30/70 were grafted onto the molecular chains of native feather keratin under equal monomer concentration. Effects of monomer compatibility of MA/AA on sizing properties of the feather keratin-g-P(AA-co-MA) were studied in terms of apparent viscosity, contact angle of sizing paste on polyester fibers, mechanical properties of sizing film, and adhesion to polyester fibers. It was found that grafting MA & AA monomers with rational compatibility onto the molecular chains of feather keratin was an effective method to improve sizing properties of grafted feather keratin, such as adhesion to polyester fibers and toughness of sizing film. In view of overall performance of the grafted feather keratin sizes, the appropriate feed molar ratio of MA/AA should be 20/80.