Improving the light fastness of dyed nylon fabrics using nickel arylsulphonates

Various nickel arylsulphonates were synthesised and their protecting effects on the photofading of CI Basic Violet 3, CI Acid Red 94, CI Acid Red 87 and CI Acid Blue 74 examined on nylon fabric. The rates of photofading of the dyes were remarkably suppressed in the presence of nickel salts, while the addition of ultraviolet absorbers and conventional stabilisers afforded little retardation of the rate of fading. The antimicrobial activity against two species bacteria of nickel salts was also examined. This aftertreatment technique was shown to be safe for the environment and human health.     

Modelling the properties of pigment‐dyed polyester/cotton sheeting fabrics by response surface methodology

The aim of this study was to model the effect of pigment, binder and fixer concentrations on the rubbing fastness, crease recovery, tear strength and stiffness of pigment‐dyed polyester/cotton sheeting fabrics. The design and analysis of experiments were carried out using Minitab^® statistical software according to the central composite design of response surface methodology. It was found that an increase in the binder concentration significantly improves the dry rubbing fastness, crease recovery and stiffness of the fabric, with a corresponding decrease in fabric tear strength, without significantly affecting the wet rubbing fastness. An increase in the fixer concentration significantly improves both the dry and wet rubbing fastness and crease recovery, with a decrease in fabric tear strength and stiffness. The effect of binder and fixer concentrations on crease recovery was not linear and there was significant negative interaction between these factors for dry rubbing fastness. The effect of pigment concentration was not found to be statistically significant for the types and range of concentrations of pigment, binder and fixer used in this study.     

Enhancing the wash fastness of dyeings by a sol–gel process. Part 1; Direct dyes on cotton

A series of sols were prepared from selected silane derivatives. When dyed cotton was treated with such sols, the colloidal particles linked together to form a network on the fibre. Thus the direct dye was fixed on cotton and the wash fastness was enhanced. This new method, based on the sol–gel process, was rudimentarily proved to be an effective way to improve the wash fastness of direct dyes on cotton without essential loss of properties, such as handle and strength of the fabric.     

Modelling the properties of one‐step pigment‐dyed and finished polyester/cotton fabrics using response surface methodology

Dyeing of polyester/cotton blended fabrics with two different classes of dyes for polyester and cotton is a lengthy and expensive procedure owing to different fibre contents that need different auxiliaries, pH, and temperature conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate and model the properties of a combined pigment dyeing and hand‐building finishing system for polyester/cotton blended fabrics. The one‐step process was investigated using response surface methodology, taking concentrations of pigment, softener, and hand‐building finish as experimental variables. It was found that increase in hand‐building finish helps to improve colour fastness at higher pigment concentrations but results in deterioration in fabric tear strength. However, the decrease in tear strength can be minimised by increasing the softener concentration. For a 15 g l^?1 pigment concentration, optimum fabric tear strength, crease recovery angle, bending length, and dry and wet rubbing fastness properties were obtained using 60 g l^?1 of softener and 65 g l^?1 of hand‐building finish. The prediction equations developed in this study can be used to determine the required amounts of softener and hand‐building finish to achieve commercially acceptable results at different pigment concentrations.     

A study on the effect of bulk water content and drying temperature on the colour of dyed cotton fabrics

In the present study, the effect of various levels of bulk and free water content and its distribution on the colour of cotton fabrics dyed with direct dyes and their combinations were analysed. Twill and plain structures with two different parameters of fabric construction were chosen. The dyed samples were adjusted to different levels of wet pick‐up, with water ranging from 50% to 125% on the bone dry weight of the fabric (odwf) to achieve various levels of bulk water content. Further, the residual moisture content of the samples was adjusted to 40–10% odwf by means of hot air drying at different temperatures to obtain different levels of free water content and its distribution. For the assessment of colour and its comparison, the parameters ΣK/S and values were used. In order to bring out the true effect of moisture distribution and fabric structure, normalisation of dye uptake in the fabric based on weight and area were considered, respectively. The plain structures show a higher increase in colour than the twill structures when the bulk water content increases. At the same time, the fabric structures do not play a significant role, with increase in colour attributable to change in drying temperature. The findings reveal that the bulk water content, drying temperature and fabric geometry affects the colour of the fabric significantly.     

New polymer materials based on silicone‐acrylic copolymer to improve fastness properties of reactive dyes on cotton fabrics

New polymer materials, based on silicone‐acrylic copolymer containing cationic groups, were synthesized through radical mechanism and ring‐opening polymerization of cyclosiloxane. The polymers of polyacrylate/polysiloxane improved the fastness properties of reactive dyes on cotton. In comparison with those of polyacrylate‐containing cationic groups, the wash fastness and wet rubbing fastness of the dyed cotton fabric treated with the new polymer materials were better. The handle of the fabric with aftertreatment was also good. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 720–725, 2006     

The effect of nano‐ and micro‐TiO2 particles on reflective behavior of printed cotton/nylon fabrics in vis/NIR regions

To match the reflectance profile of desert colors including brown, olive green, and khaki in the Vis/near IR (NIR) bands, several pigments were used to print cotton/nylon fabrics. The reflectances of printed fabrics were measured by using spectrophotometric technique. TiO₂ microparticle and nanoparticle powders were also added to the printing pastes to evaluate their effect of reflectance, light, rubbing, washing fastnesses, and colorimetric values of each sample. Tuning the reflectance behavior of each color was successfully managed using specific pigments along with TiO₂ particles. NIR reflectance of brown, khaki, and olive green printed fabrics was enhanced by presence of TiO₂ in printing formulations, which is in complete agreement with the Kubelka–Munk theory. NIR enhancing effect of TiO₂ particles was fast against rubbing, washing, and light exposures while it could significantly change the visible appearance of the printed patterns even at concentrations as low as 0.25 g/kg. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2012     

Dyeing,fastness, and deodorizing properties of cotton,silk, and wool fabrics dyed with coffee sludge (Coffea arabica L.) extract

A natural colorant was extracted from Coffea arabica L., using water as extractant at 90°C for 90 min. Studies have been made on the dyeing, color fastness, and deodorization properties of cotton, silk, and wool fabrics dyed with Coffea arabica L. extract solutions. The best mordants were found to be FeSO_4, CuSO₄, and SnSO₄ for improving the color strength (K/S) of cotton, silk, and wool fabrics. Mordants MnSO₄, ZnSO₄, and NiSO₄ for cotton (Rating 3), and all mordants except MnSO₄ for silk (Rating 3), mordants CuSO₄, FeSO₄, CoSO₄, Al₂(SO₄)₃, and MnSO₄ for wool (Rating 4) were the best mordants to improve the light fastness. It was found that FeSO₄ and CuSO₄ were the best mordants for the improvements of color strength (K/S) and light fastness for silk and wool fabrics. In addition, it was found that cotton, silk, and wool fabrics dyed with the Coffea arabica L. extract showed good deodorization performance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 251–257, 2007     

The effect of humidity, fabric surface geometry and dye type on the colour of cotton fabrics dyed with a select range of anionic dyes

Four C.I. Solubilised Sulphur dyes were applied to cultivated silk fabric using sodium thioglycolate at pH 7, for 30 min at 60 °C in the absence of electrolyte. Medium/deep shades were obtained that displayed good/excellent fastness to washing at 40 °C and little or no sensitivity to oxygen bleach fading. The dry rub fastness of the dyeings ranged from moderate to good whilst the wet rub fastness varied from poor to moderate; light fastness of the 10% omf dyeings varied from low to moderate. The mild application conditions used had little effect on the tensile strength of the fabric.     

The effect of sputter etching on the surface characteristics of dyed aramid fabrics

Three kinds of aramid fabrics, Technora (modified p-aramid), Conex (m-aramid) and Kevlar (p-aramid), were subjected to sputter etching and argon low-temperature plasma treatments after dyeing in black with disperse dyes. The depth of shade increased considerably on Technora and Kevlar with the sputter etching treatment, but not on Conex fabrics. Argon low-temperature plasma treatment had virtually no effect on the depth of shade on the aramid fabrics.     

Investigation on colour,fastness properties and HPLC‐DAD analysis of silk fibres dyed with Rubia tinctorium L. and Quercus ithaburensis Decaisne

Silk fabric samples were dyed according to the various procedures using madder (Rubia tinctorium L.) and walloon oak (Quercus ithaburensis Decaisne) extracts. The colour coordinates, K/S, as well as wash, light, rub and perspiration fastness values were determined. A reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection was utilised for the identification of the components of dyes present in the dyed fabrics and in the plant extracts.     

Improving the colour fastness of dyed nylon‐6 fabric by graft copolymerisation and curing of acrylic acid

The influence of grafting and grafting–curing of acrylic acid on the colour fastness of nylon‐6 fabric dyed with an acid dye of low wash fastness was investigated. The variables involved in grafting were initially optimised for pristine nylon‐6 fabric prior to grafting the same monomer onto the dyed fabrics. The highest graft yield achieved for the pristine and dyed nylon‐6 fabrics was 44 and 14% respectively. Grey scale testing and colorimetric analysis revealed that the highest colour fastness and the smallest drop in colour strength belonged to the dyed–grafted–cured nylon‐6 fabric. The colour components were measured, and the total colour difference of each sample after five washing cycles was computed. The specific colour difference showed that the implementation of either grafting or grafting–curing processes will alter the reference colour of the dyed fabric. The tensile strength of the grafted and grafted–cured fabrics was respectively 2.7 and 6.3% lower than that of dyed nylon‐6.     

Improvement in the light fastness of dyed and pigmented materials. 3 – The effect of antioxidants on the photostabilisation of dyes and pigments in some polymeric media

The effect of some added antioxidants on the photostabilisation of a quinophthalone dye (C. I. Solvent Yellow 33) and C. I. Pigment Red 38 in polymeric media such as chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSM rubber), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyethylene has been examined. The effects varied according to the type of antioxidant used. For example, the addition of 2, 6–di–t–butyl–4–methylphenol, an effective radical scavenger, afforded little protection against photodegradation, whilst the singlet oxygen quenching of antioxidants such as bis(l, 2–diaryl or dialkyl–l, 2–ethylenedithiolato) nickel, nickel dialkyldithiocar–bamate, nickel bis(mesitylenesulphonate), and nickel (N–n–dodecylsalicylaldimine) conferred improved resistance towards photodegradation.     

Improvement in the light fastness properties of dyed and pigmented materials. 1-The effect of antioxidants on the photostabilisation of dyes in cellulose acetate film

The effect of some added antioxidants on the photodegradation of C.I. Solvent Yellow 33 (quinophthalone) and C.I. Direct Red 39 in cellulose acetate films have been investigated. The effects varied according to antioxidant type. For example, the addition of 2, 6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, an effective radical scavenger, afforded little protection against photodegradation, while singlet oxygen quenching of antioxidants such as nickel bis(dithiobenzil), nickel dialkyldithiocarbamate, nickel bis(mesitylenesulphonate) conferred improved resistance of the dyes towards photodegradation.     

Visible‐near infrared concealment of cotton/nylon fabrics using colored pigments and multiwalled carbon nanotube particles (MWCNTs)

To match the reflectance profile of desert colors including dark brown, light brown and olive green in the visible‐near IR (Vis‐NIR) bands, five selected colored pigments were utilized to print woven cotton/nylon fabrics. Multi‐walled carbon nanotube particles (MWCNT's) were also added to some of the printing pastes. The reflectance of printed fabrics was evaluated by using spectrophotometric technique. The effect of adding MWCNT's, on washing; light and crocking fastness alongside with colorimetric values of printed samples was evaluated. Furthermore, the water absorption time was measured in order to determine wettability of each printed sample. The results demonstrated that the presence of MWCNT's in concentration range of 0.04–0.12 g kg^?1 in printing formulations was found to cause considerable decline in Near Infrared (NIR) reflectance while a surprising increase in visible reflectance of samples was observed. Color characteristics of printed fabrics were noticeably changed even at concentrations as low as 0.12 g kg^?1 MWCNTs in printing formulations. Presence of MWCNTs in printing formulations was found to cause a significant increase in wetting time of samples. Also, the results indicated that air permeability of printed samples containing MWCNT's were higher than samples printed with no MWCNTs. Phenomena imposed by MWCNT's presence on pigment printed samples showed very good fastness levels in crocking, washing and light fastness tests. In dark brown sample, adding MWCNTs to the pigment printing pastes could tune the overall reflectance in order to match the standard reflectance profile accepted for use in concealment color of desert areas. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 93–98, 2015     

Dyeing and fastness properties of polyamide fabrics using some acid‐based monoazo disperse dyes

A series of monoazo disperse dyes derived from naphthalimide containing butyric acid has been applied on polyamide fabrics. The build up and dyeing properties of these dyes such as leveling property, wash, light, perspiration for alkaline and acidic conditions, and rubbing fastnesses on polyamide fabrics have been investigated. The results showed that the applied dyes are capable of producing red to bluish red hues on polyamide fabrics. Because of the presence of both carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups on the molecular structure of Dye 3, it showed desired and more strength in respect to other used dyes. Comparing the build up of these dyes to commercial dyes such as disperse red 60 and disperse red 73 revealed that most of the used dyes have higher build up in comparison to the commercial ones. Measurement of fastness properties of dyed samples indicated that they have good wash (4–5), rubbing (4), perspiration (4–5), and heat fastnesses (4–5) and they possess less than moderate light fastness (3–4) on polyamide fabrics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Thermal properties and combustion behavior of POSS‐ and bohemite‐finished cotton fabrics

A finishing process with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and bohemite nanoparticles has been exploited for enhancing the thermal stability and flame retardancy of cotton fabrics. The thermal behavior of flame retardant treated cellulosic fabric has been studied by thermogravimetric analyses (TGAs). It has been found that such nanoparticles favor the carbonization of the cellulose and slow down the kinetics of thermo‐oxidation in air. At the same time, the finished fabrics have turned out to be more efficient with respect to neat cotton as far as the flame retardancy is concerned, pointing out an increase of the time to ignition (TTI) and a decrease of the heat release rate (HRR). Furthermore, a comparison between the fire performances of the nanoparticles under study and a commercial phosphorus‐based flame retardant has been investigated. The morphology and elemental composition present in the treated fabrics have been also investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and the results have been compared with the untreated fabric. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Chemical modification of nylon 6 and polyester fabrics by ozone‐gas treatment

In a previous article, we reported on the ozone‐gas treatment of wool and silk fabrics in relation to the gas‐phase processing of textile fabrics. The treatment incorporated an oxygen element into the fiber surface and contributed to an increase in water penetration into the fabric. In this study, nylon 6 and polyester fabrics were treated with ozone gas in the same way as that of the wool and silk fabrics. The treatment incorporated much more oxygen into the fiber surface in the form of ? COH and ? COOH, as shown by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. Water penetration increased considerably with treatment, and the apparent dyeing rate and equilibrium dye uptake were also improved, especially for the polyester fabric, despite an increase in the crystallinity. Therefore, it seemed that the treatment brought about a change not only in the fiber surface but also in the internal structure of the fibers (the crystalline and amorphous regions) with regard to the dyeing behavior. Further, the mechanical characteristics of the ozone‐gas‐treated polyester and nylon 6 fabrics were measured with a Kawabata evaluation system apparatus. The shearing modulus and hysteresis widths increased with treatment, especially for the polyester fabric. Therefore, it was clear that the treatment caused a change in the fabric hand to crisp. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1344–1348, 2006     

Polydopamine‐coated silk yarn for improving the light fastness of natural dyes

One of the problems occasionally associated with the use of natural dyes in the dyeing of silk is the susceptibility of the dyed yarn to fading in light. While a number of approaches have been used to address this problem, the use of polydopamine (PDA), a known agent with photo‐protective properties, has not been assessed previously. In this study, silk was pretreated with nano‐particulate PDA formed in situ by oxidation of a dopamine solution, then dyed with lac dye or annatto dye as model natural dyes. Photofading rates were significantly reduced in the case of annatto‐dyed, PDA‐coated silk relative to uncoated silk, while wash fastness was unaffected and remained only moderately good. In contrast, no significant change was seen in photofading rates with treated or untreated lac‐dyed silk, and wash fastness was also unaffected. The PDA did not adversely affect resultant colour values if the concentration of the dopamine precursor was kept low. When this was done, acceptable colours were obtained in the dyed silk. Further investigation is warranted of PDA as a photofading protectant and mordant with other natural dyes on silk and other fibres.     

The study of colour fastness of commercial microencapsulated photoresponsive dye applied on cotton,cotton/polyester and polyester fabric using a pad‐dry‐cure process

Commercial microencapsulated photoresponsive dye was applied on cotton, polyester/cotton and polyester fabric using a pad‐dry‐cure process. Colour fastness of the photoresponsive fabrics to washing, wet cleaning, dry cleaning, rubbing and light was investigated. The CIELAB colour values of the fabrics before and after testing were measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer, and the colour differences were calculated to evaluate the fastness properties. The fabrics had better colour fastness to wet cleaning and washing than to dry cleaning. The fabrics showed higher colour fastness to wet than to dry rubbing. The photoresponsiveness of the fabrics decreased with prolonged exposure time to artificial light due to low photostability of the microcapsules.