SWELLING AND SOLUTION OF NYLON

Abstract

During our investigation of swelling and solution of synthetic fibres, such as nylon and vinylon, the following phenomena were observed.
These fibres are placed on glass plate. Few drops of inorganic acid, for example, H₂SO₄ of arbitrary concentration are dropped on them. On account of surface tension, the acid extends along fibers, but after reaching to some point which seem to depend upon the concentration of acid, temperature of reaction and some other factors, fibres begin to swell and dissolve from the further ends towards the original droplets.
We examined these phenomena and made clear some aspects, but the mechanism involved still remains uncertain.