Chain

1.(Carpet) Warp threads, usually woven in pairs, between the warpway lines of pile and alternating over and under the weft.
2. (Axminster: spool-loom overhead) A portion of the overhead mechanism of a spool Axminster or gripper-spool weaving machine. The number of links corresponds to the number of rows of pile in one complete repeat of the design, or multiples thereof; the correct row is presented (by means of the transfer arms, or gripper) to the weaving point as required.
3. See warp.

Chain Binders

Yarns running in the warp direction on the back of a woven carpet which hold construction yarns together.

Chain Dyeing

A method of dyeing yarns and fabrics of low tensile strength of tying them endto-end and running them through the dyebath in a continuous process.

Chain fork

A lyre-shaped hand tool of ancient origin, some 70cm to 150cm long, made from thin rigid material such as wood, horn, ivory, etc. It was used for making square knitted cords with low stretch and good strength characteristics, and was widely used until the advent of the industrial revolution when the manufacture of cords and laces became a machine operation.

Chain fork

A lyre-shaped hand tool of ancient origin, some 70cm to 150cm long, made from thin rigid material such as wood, horn, ivory, etc. It was used for making square knitted cords with low stretch and good strength characteristics, and was widely used until the advent of the industrial revolution when the manufacture of cords and laces became a machine operation.

Chain mercerizing

The treatment of cellulosic textiles in yarn or fabric form with a concentrated solution of caustic alkali whereby the fibres are swollen, the strength and dye affinity of the materials are increased, and their handle is modified. The process takes its name from its discoverer, John Mercer (1844). The additional effect of enhancing the lustre by stretching the swollen materials while wet with caustic alkali and then washing off was discovered by Horace Lowe (1889). The modem process of mercerization involves both swelling in caustic alkalis and stretching to enhance the lustre, to increase colour yield and cotton yarn strength. A related process, liquid ammonia treatment, produces some of the effects of mercerization. In chain mercerizing, shrinkage in fabric width is allowed, followed by re-stretching and washing on a clip-stenter. In chainless mercerizing, the fabric is effectively prevented from shrinking by transporting over rotating drums. hot mercerization The treatment of ceiltilosic fabric with a hot concentrated solution of caustic alkali to facilitate uniform penetration prior to cooling and stretching etc., so as to improve the degree of mercerization.post mercerization (linen)Crease resistant linen fabrics may be produced by treatment with urea formaldehyde resin followed by a mercerizing treatment to confer durability and supplciless.slack mercerizationMercerizing of a fabric in absence of tension, or under reduced tension.
Note., After washing-off, the fabric remains in the shrunken condition, and consequently a high degree of yarn crimp is obtained and the fabric becomes more extensible. There are two reasons for operating this process: to produce a stretch fabric or as part of the process for crease resisting linen. Dye absorption is increased but lustre is not.

Chain twill

An ordinary 3/3 twill.

Chain warp (floorcoverings)

Warp threads, usually woven in pairs, alternating over and under the shots, which are then bound enclosing the stuffer yams and the tufts or loops forming the pile.

Chain warping

1. Threads lengthways in a fabric as woven.
2. A number of threads in long lengths and approximately parallel, in various forms intendedfor weaving, knitting, doubling, sizing, dyeing, or lace-making.
3. To arrange threads in long lengths parallel to one another preparatory to further processing.
Note.. In addition to beaming the following methods of warping are practised: ball warping, cross-ball warping, and chain warping. The primary stage of these methods of warping is the withdrawal of ends from a warping creel and their assembly in rope form, a form that may conveniently be used for wet processing. For convenience of handling, this rope may be
(i) wound into a ball (ball warping),
(ii) machine-wound on to a wooden roller into a cross-ball cheese (cross-ball or cheese warping), or
(iii) shortened into a link chain (chain winping). A number of these ropes may be assembled into a complete warp on a beam in a dressing frame, or may be split adddressed and incorporated in warps made by other methods. (See also section warping.)

Chainette

A tubular cord produced on a circular knitting machine having no more than 20 needles.

Chainless mercerizing

The treatment of cellulosic textiles in yarn or fabric form with a concentrated solution of caustic alkali whereby the fibres are swollen, the strength and dye affinity of the materials are increased, and their handle is modified. The process takes its name from its discoverer, John Mercer (1844). The additional effect of enhancing the lustre by stretching the swollen materials while wet with caustic alkali and then washing off was discovered by Horace Lowe (1889). The modem process of mercerization involves both swelling in caustic alkalis and stretching to enhance the lustre, to increase colour yield and cotton yarn strength. A related process, liquid ammonia treatment, produces some of the effects of mercerization. In chain mercerizing, shrinkage in fabric width is allowed, followed by re-stretching and washing on a clip-stenter. In chainless mercerizing, the fabric is effectively prevented from shrinking by transporting over rotating drums. hot mercerization The treatment of ceiltilosic fabric with a hot concentrated solution of caustic alkali to facilitate uniform penetration prior to cooling and stretching etc., so as to improve the degree of mercerization.post mercerization (linen) Crease resistant linen fabrics may be produced by treatment with urea formaldehyde resin followed by a mercerizing treatment to confer durability and supplciless.slack mercerizationMercerizing of a fabric in absence of tension, or under reduced tension.
Note., After washing-off, the fabric remains in the shrunken condition, and consequently a high degree of yarn crimp is obtained and the fabric becomes more extensible. There are two reasons for operating this process: to produce a stretch fabric or as part of the process for crease resisting linen. Dye absorption is increased but lustre is not.

Chair web

A woven narrow fabric, for supporting the seat of chairs, couches etc. The common types are:
(i) English, British, or black and white, mainly or wholly of jute warps, dyed or stained black, with cotton wefts.
Note1: Bleached hemp yarns are occasionally used in the selvedges for extra strength.
Note2: Some specifications call for hemp or flax tow warps.
Note3: Paper yarns are sometimes used in the warps to limit extensibility.
(ii) Plain or Indian, of undyed jute throughout.

Chalkiness

1. A dull whitened appearance sometimes associated with certain extra-dull colors. 2. A fillingwise fabric defect observed as bands varying luster or sheen.

Challis

A lightweight, soft-handling, plain-weave dress fabric, generally of wool, using single worstedspun yarns in warp and weft. It is often used as a base for printing.

Chambray

A lightweight plain-weave cotton fabric having a coloured warp and white weft, producing a mottled appearance. It may also be made in striped, checked or figured patterns. The finer quality chambrays can have a silk weft, whereas synthetic yarns or cotton blends may be used in cheaper fabrics. Chambrays are used for women's and children's garments, pyjamas, shirts and sportswear.