Study of dyeing properties of wool fabrics treated with microwave

Wool was pretreated with microwave and then dyed with Lanasol reactive dye and Palatin 1:1 metal complex dye by conventional exhaust dyeing process. Adsorption behaviour and diffusion coefficient were also studied. A higher dye uptake rate and increased diffusion coefficient of treated fibres are observed in the dyeing test after microwave pretreatment, but the adsorption behaviour remains constant. Microwave pretreatment has a slightly damaging effect on the surface scale-like structure of wool, which results in the reduction of the concentration of S–S bonds in keratin. It was considered that the surface damage improved the absorption of dye molecules by the wool fibres during dipping and the diffusion of dye molecules into the wool fibres.