Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH or PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer used as a textile warp sizing agent.
Textiles are a major end-use market for Selvol™ PVOH. It improves yarn performance and weaving efficiency across fiber types. While warp sizing is the primary use, Selvol also supports textile-finishing and screen printing as a hand-builder and adhesive.
Selvol PVOH: A High-Performance Warp Sizing Agent for Textiles
Selvol PVOH is a high-performance film former used in textile warp sizing. It creates a strong, uniform coating on spun and filament yarns that resists abrasion but de-sizes easily in hot water.
Additionally, Selvol PVOH offers superior characteristics as a warp sizing agent:
- Abrasion resistance protects yarns from mechanical wear.
- Adhesion to synthetic fibers ensures film stays in place.
- Flexibility/elongation maintains integrity during high-speed weaving.
- Strength increases yarn tensile strength and supports smoother runs during slashing and weaving.
- User-friendly slashing performance means easy prep, smooth application and stable viscosity across standard slashing equipment.
Together, these features drive measurable gains in weaving efficiency, yarn protection and textile production quality. Seven advantages distinguish Selvol PVOH among warp sizing agents.
[Related: Textile Sizing Chemicals for Warp: Polyvinyl Alcohol vs. Starch]
1. Improved Weavability
The abrasion resistance, elasticity and toughness of yarn sized with PVOH reduces warp stop levels.
This is particularly true on spun polyester blends, where starch doesn’t provide the required protection. PVOH also increases the weaving efficiency of 100% cotton fabrics manufacturers produce on high-speed looms.
2. Low Add-On
PVOH-sized yarns can run at lower add-ons because of the material’s higher adhesion and strength compared to natural binders.
It can be effective at levels as low as 33% that of starch. Operating conditions in each mill control the degree of starch replacements. Because the lower add-on takes up less space on the yarn, it contributes to better weavability. This is especially applicable to high-slay styles.
In addition, lower add-ons result in more benefits:
- Less size handling in the slasher room
- More yards on each beam
- Fewer slasher doffs
- Freight savings on greige cloth shipments
- Less size to remove at de-sizing
- Fewer chemicals to process in waste treatment
3. Less Shed
Selvol PVOH has excellent abrasion resistance and adhesion to synthetic fibers. This means less shedding on the slasher and in the weave room.
Because shed adversely affects electronic loom controls, less shed benefits loom operation. It also minimizes the amount of yarn lost as waste. An additional benefit is less labor necessary for cleaning.
4. Lower Weave Room Humidity
PVOH resin films are inherently flexible, eliminating the need for high relative humidity in the weave room.
Maintain a humidity range of 65% to 75% for optimal performance. Manufacturers should reduce humidity at a maximum rate of 2 percentage points every 5 days. This acclimates loom parts and facilitates shed removal via vacuum, resulting in a cleaner weave room. It also creates more comfortable working conditions and lengthens the life of corrosion-prone loom parts.
5. Excellent Size Stability
Selvol PVOH solutions stay thermally stable and maintain viscosity at higher temperatures. Its stability helps prevent common aging issues manufacturers see in starch-based textile sizing chemicals.
6. Resistance to Spoilage
PVOH solutions generally resist spoilage under conditions in the slashing and preparation areas. It eliminates size waste due to spoilage and helps greige goods resist rot and mildew.
7. Recoverability
Manufacturers widely reclaim and reuse PVOH for sizing. This reduces effluent levels from the finishing plant, leading to improved compliance with local environmental standards. It can also decrease sizing cost via lower consumption of virgin PVOH.
Contact SEKISUI for Warp Sizing Excellence With Selvol PVOH
SEKISUI produces and sells one of the most complete lines of polyvinyl alcohol in the world. Since introducing Selvol PVOH, the company has developed a high level of expertise in its use and production.
Contact SEKISUI for more information about Selvol PVOH for textile applications. Request samples to try its versatile grades.
Reach the SEKISUI Technical Services Team to discover which grade fits specific applications.
Note: Consult the SEKISUI Library for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). They outline the safe use and handling of Selvol PVOH, including toxicity, fire and explosion hazards and environmental data.