Technical gelatins are used in the
warp sizing of rayon and acetate yarns. The gelatin size adds
strength to the warp and resistance to abrasion so that breakage of
the warp is minimized. Gelatin is particularly well suited for this
application because of its excellent solubility and film strength.
It is applied in aqueous solution along with penetrating oils
plasticizers and antifoam agents before weaving and later removed
during finishing by washing with warm water.
Panamahats are sized with gelatin.
Sizing helps preserve the shape of the hat while imparting
resistance to water and dirt. An emerging technology involves the
use of gelatin to size quartz fibers for space-age
fabrics.
Gelatin is used for
surface sizing and for coating papers. Either used alone or with
other adhesive materials the gelatin coating creates a smooth
surface by filling up the small surface imperfections thereby
ensuring improved printing reproduction. Examples include posters
playing cards wallpaper and glossy magazine pages.
High quality rag-based papers such
as those used for blueprints and currency also feature a gelatin
size coating. The result is a paper which has good moisture and
abrasion resistance as well as good adhesion to printing inks.
During manufacture the gelatin coatings are rendered insoluble by
treatment with cross-linking agents.
The permanent crinkle in crepe
paper is the result of gelatin sizing.
