Where does the luster of mercerized velvet come from? The secret of the transformation of fiber morphology

In the field of textile materials, mercerized velvet stands out with its unique and charming luster, and the root of this characteristic is deeply rooted in the reshaping of the fiber surface morphology by the mercerizing process. When ordinary fibers undergo the dual "carving" of swelling and tension under the action of the mercerizing process, they are transformed from the original irregular shape to a smooth structure that is approximately cylindrical. This microscopic morphological transformation has become the key code for the formation of the luster of mercerized velvet.
After the mercerized velvet fabric is immersed in alkali solution, the fiber swells, the diameter increases significantly, and the internal structure is rearranged. The tension applied by the mechanical device guides the fiber molecular chains to be arranged in an orderly manner along the axial direction. In this process, the irregular structures such as convexities and concave depressions on the fiber surface are gradually "ironed", and the fiber ends that were originally randomly distributed due to the rough surface also become neat and smooth under the action of tension, and finally form a smooth and regular cylindrical shape. This morphological change is not a simple surface modification, but an optimization based on the essential structure of the fiber, creating a physical basis for the generation of luster.
For ordinary fabrics, the uneven surface of the fiber causes diffuse reflection when light is irradiated. Diffuse reflection means that after the light contacts the fiber surface, it scatters in all directions, causing the intensity of the reflected light to weaken and disperse, and the fabric presents a dull visual effect. However, the smooth cylindrical structure on the surface of the mercerized velvet fiber treated by the mercerizing process is like countless tiny mirrors. When light shines on these "mirrors", according to the law of reflection of light, the light is reflected in a directional manner. This directional reflection makes the reflected light more concentrated and the intensity is significantly enhanced, thus giving the mercerized velvet fabric a bright and unique luster.
The approximately cylindrical structure formed by the fiber is directional. When the light is projected from different angles, the angle and intensity of the light reflected by each fiber will change. At some angles, the light reflection is concentrated, and the surface of the fabric presents a bright and dazzling luster; at other angles, the reflected light is relatively soft, forming a layered light and shadow transition. This subtle change of light and shadow not only gives the mercerized velvet a soft halo like silk, but also combines its own suede texture to make the fabric visually elegant and unique. Whether it is made into fashion with a luster flowing in the dynamic display of the human body, or as a home decoration with a texture presentation in an indoor light environment, mercerized velvet can become a visual focus with this unique luster performance.
The smooth fiber surface reduces the friction between fibers, making the mercerized velvet fabric feel softer and smoother; the regular fiber structure also helps the dye to adhere more evenly, improving the dyeing effect and color fastness. This comprehensive optimization from microstructure to macro performance allows mercerized velvet to occupy a place in high-end textile applications. From fashion items such as shirts and dresses to home fabrics such as sofa covers and curtains, mercerized velvet continues to give higher quality and value to various products with its unique luster and superior performance due to the transformation of fiber morphology.