Performance Analysis of Sweet Potato Starch Versus Carboxymethyl Cellulose in Yarn Sizing

The study evaluates the performance of sweet potato starch (SPS), a locally available natural material, as a sizing agent in textile applications, compared to standard carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Sizing enhances yarn strength, reduces breakage, and improves weaving efficiency. CMC is widely used in the textile industry because of its excellent film-forming ability and low moisture regain. However, despite being derived from seaweed, an abundant natural resource, CMC production and extraction processes raise ecological concerns due to their adverse environmental impacts. In contrast, sweet potato starch is renewable, biodegradable, and economically viable, making it a promising sustainable alternative. Experiments in this study were conducted in the Textile Testing and Quality Control Laboratory at the Textile Engineering College in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Both sizing agents were evaluated and compared based on size take-up percentage, moisture regain, yarn hairiness, and surface morphology using SEM and EDX analyses. Results showed that CMC exhibited a higher size take-up percentage (33.30 ± 0.35%) than sweet potato starch (15.89 ± 0.28%), confirming its superior adhesion and film thickness. Moisture regain analysis revealed that SPS absorbed more moisture (14.07 ± 0.25%) than CMC (7.02 ± 0.12%), indicating better softness but reduced dimensional stability. SEM images confirmed smoother, more uniform film formation in CMC-sized yarns, while SPS coatings were less compact but environmentally favorable. Overall, the findings suggest that sweet potato starch can serve as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional sizing agents. Future research should focus on modifying SPS formulations with functional additives to enhance moisture resistance and evaluate its large-scale industrial feasibility as a sustainable sizing material.