Lab Experiment 14

ABSORBANCY
Name:

Student idi:

Score:

Signature of Lab Tutor:

Date:

TO DETERMINE ABSORBENCY OF FABRIC

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
Upon the successful completion of this experiment, the students will be able to:
(i)
(ii)

Understand effect of absorbency of fabric on coloration and finishing

process
Determine absorbency of the specimen

CHEMICALS REQUIRED

Direct Dye (Turquoise Blue)

De-ionized water

DISCUSSION
Absorbency of the fabric determines how easily it allows water molecules to be
absorbed. Absorbency tests are mostly carried out on cellulose and cellulose blend
to determine the extent a particular fabric could absorb dye, water or any other
chemical. It can be determined by several methods e.g. AATTCC test method 79 and
DIN 53924; these include determination of time taken for standard drop to be
absorbed.
Absorbency can be increased with the application of chemicals called wetting
agents. These are mostly surface active gents which, when applied on substrate,
reduce surface tension of water (force that pulls the surface molecules inwards), as
a result of decrease of surface tension, absorbency of fabric is increased. process
etc.
PROCEDURE
1. Cut a piece of fabric into 10X 4 cm specimen, mark line on it 1 cm apart from
each other and number like scale.
2. Take a Petri dish or beaker and fill it with 1% solution of turquoise blue direct
dye.
3. Suspend strip of fabric over the solution so that exactly about 1 cm of the
lower end of sample is immersed in solution.
4. Keep the sample immersed for 60 seconds.
5. Take the sample out and without wasting any time iron so that the dye may
not further spread.
6. Finally, assess the absorbency of fabric by the height at which dye solution
reached

TEST REULTS
Sample.
No

Absorbency

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Define absorbency?

2. What should be absorbency of fabric that is to be printed or dyed with

pigment dye?

3. Discuss importance of absorbency of fabric in dyeing?

FINAL CHECK LIST

1. Clean your machinery equipment/materials and workbench before you leave.
2. Ensure the replacement of all equipments to their specified storage area.
3. Submit your answers to questions together with your data, calculation and
result before the next
laboratory/ equipment.