Effect of the water content of padded cotton fabrics on reactive dye fixation in the pad‐steam process

Abstract

A series of padded cotton fabrics with various water contents were obtained through vacuum dehydration. The effects of the water content on the fabric temperature variation during steaming, the colour properties, and the dye fixation rate (%F) were investigated. Dye distribution in the dyed cotton fibres was assessed. The influences of steaming time and sodium carbonate concentration on K/S value and %F of the dyed fabrics with low water content were also evaluated. The results indicate that reducing the water content of the padded cotton fabric to around 25.0% prior to steaming was favoured for reactive dyeing. The temperature of the wet fabric rose rapidly, the K/S value and %F were enhanced, and in addition the dye penetration into the dyed cotton fibres was sufficient. However, for padded fabrics with extraordinarily low and high water contents (e.g. 1.4% and 70.9% respectively), both the K/S value and %F were decreased. Furthermore, a white core phenomenon was evident for the fibres of the dyed fabric with a water content of 1.4%. Variation in the L* values was in line with the K/S values as the fabric water content varied. As expected, steaming time and sodium carbonate dosage can also affect reactive dye fixation greatly and should be determined accordingly for dyeing cotton fabric with low water content.

Design and Manufacturing of an Innovative Triple-Layer Thermo-Insulated Fabric

“…Unfortunately, in the presence of moisture, the thermal insulation for such products is drastically reduced-if the padding is exposed to water and the surface fabric is not properly isolated, the thermal insulation drops to zero [3]. Moreover, multilayer materials filled with feathers are expensive and, often, the origin of natural material often involves the presence of impurities or substances dangerous to health.…”

A novel low add-on technology of dyeing cotton fabric with reactive dyestuff

“…It is obvious that the water content of the fabric is of great significance to the fixation of reactive dyes, while only a few studies in this territory have been reported previously. 17,18 Zhiping et al. 18 studied the mechanism and diffusion model of reactants in low add-on technologies.…”

“…19 Kuanjun et al. 17 studied the temperature variation of the fabric being vacuum dehydrated during saturated steaming and found that reducing the water content of padded cotton fabrics before steaming could enhance the color depth and fixation rate. These provide a theoretical basis for the study of low add-on technologies.…”

“…It is obvious that the water content of the fabric is of great significance to the fixation of reactive dyes, while only a few studies in this territory have been reported previously. 17,18 Zhiping et al 18 studied the mechanism and diffusion model of reactants in low add-on technologies. Different states of water and pore size distribution for cotton fibers with different moisture ratios during wetting and drying were investigated via differential scanning calorimetry.…”

“…A simple model of the wetting procedure for a single cotton fiber was established, and the fixation mechanism of the low add-on technology was also explored by combining the practical foam dyeing results. 19 Kuanjun et al 17 studied the temperature variation of the fabric being vacuum dehydrated during saturated steaming and found that reducing the water content of padded cotton fabrics before steaming could enhance the color depth and fixation rate. These provide a theoretical basis for the study of low add-on technologies.…”