Improvement of wash fastness of reactive dyed cotton fabrics

Compiled by: M. Rezaul Karim Tutul

Improvement of wash fastness of reactive dyed cotton fabrics

Dyeing cellulose fibre reactive dye is a covalent bond with fibres in form of chemical
combination. Therefore, in theory, between dye & fibre covalent bond, can give good
dyeing fastness properties. But in fact, colouring material in testing, use, washing, & even
the Central Standing Committee took place during storage fading, discoloration or staining
occurred. Especially when dyeing dark soaping wet rubbing fastness & staining fastness
when dyeing light fastness & resistance to sun & chlorine bleaching fastness Deng Jun
unsatisfactory.

Main cause of their poor colour fastness has two aspects:
1) Dyestuffs own problem;
Reactive dyeing of cellulose fibres, although covalent bond is a form of chemical
combination with fibres, but when dyes are wet, heat, light, acid, alkali & oxidant effect, its
parent structure-some parts change, decomposed as azo, amino oxidation, complexation of
metal ions or dyes from covalent bond hydrolysis--fibre breakage, resulting in colour,
dyeing fastness properties of some less. In another example, reactive dyes & cellulose
macromolecules built up between covalent bond, hydrolysis under certain conditions,
break off into hydrolytic dyes & to dye products such as wet fastness & light fastness poor
performance.

2) Dyeing problems/application problem:
Reactive dyes in use, staining method are correct or not, directly affect staining properties
of fastness. For example: of inappropriate material, dye hydrolysis, water mark, too much
calcium & magnesium ions, resulting in dye aggregation precipitation; improper fixing
conditions, low rate of solid colour; dye after washing, soaping bad, not fixing dye removal
not net; finished with acid, alkali, dyes & other hydrolytic chain scission increases result in
increase in floating colour. So-called "floating colours" means attached to fibre & fibre
bonding without dye. They include: being part of or all of hydrolysis of dye; adsorbed on
fibre reactive dye but not to participate; ethylene alum sulphate ester elimination reaction
has occurred, sulphuric acid ester has been off, but dye & fibre bonding. As floating dye on
fibres with different degrees of affinity, which has made brought to dye washable
difficulties. Thus, in actual use cannot be completely removed by washing & soaping
floating dye fibre. Three measures:
a) Correct choice of dyes &
b) Dye colour fastness &
c) Dyeing properties of chemical structure is closely related to, in order to improve colour
fastness,

First of all to choose a good dye, should note follow:
stronger chemical reactivity between dye & fibre, so that between-prone combination of
covalent bond
Fixation rate is higher.
Acid, alkaline solution stability is better.
Dye-fibro-nectin bond in higher, better chemical stability in acid, alkaline, wet, hot
conditions, less prone to break key.
Stronger antioxidant capacity, it is not easy to be oxidized & change colour, fade.
Dye colouring is better, better compatibility. 2, water reactive with calcium &
magnesium ions or other heavy metal ions combine to form insoluble or insoluble metal

Improvement of wash fastness of reactive dyed cotton fabrics
Compiled by: M. Rezaul Karim Tutul
dye. These dyes in presence of high concentration of electrolyte, form aggregates of
different sizes, are adsorbed on surface of fibre; re-coloured spots are produced, lighter
form floating colour. colour hinder penetration & diffusion of dye within fibre, reducing
dye rate, making colours lighter, fabric shade become distorted, brightness decreased,
decreased colour fastness, therefore, of material before, be in water Chelating and
dispersing to join a strong ability to chelate dispersing agent (2g/l) (can also use sodium
hexa-meta-phosphate), to purify water stain.

Select correct dyeing with high humidity as much as possible
Staining: If used in wet & humidity dyes (KN type) staining humidity from 60~65
up to 75~80, then dropped to 60~65, adding alkali fixation.
Fixing process by adding alkali: Solid-colour process plus alkali, dyes & fibres bond
reaction, it would also happen with water hydrolysis reaction of floating dye, while
hydrolysis reaction speed & strength of fixing conditions are directly related. Fixing
conditions, the stronger the more intense alkaline, the faster the dye hydrolysis. Generally
use 60~65, fixing a single soda alkali agent, pH value stabilized at about 11, soda
gradually add.
Soaping washing: washing after dyeing purpose is to remove residual alkali fibre to
prevent high temperature soaping, has been fixed with dye bonding for high-temperature
alkaline hydrolysis incurred broken bonds, fell off from fibre. Washing should pay
attention to following matters:
First, before soaping washing with water first.
Second, choose washing ability, throwing power, emulsifying capacity & carrying
capacity of a good soap lotion pollution.
Third, the best lotion soap plus 1~2g/l of chelating dispersant
Fourth, we must in neutral condition (pH = 6~7) for soaping.
Fifth, we must heat soaping.