Factors affect color fastness of dyed textiles

Introduction
Color fastness of textiles (referred to as color fastness), dyed or printed fabrics, subjected to external
factors in the use or processing (extrusion, friction, washing, rain, sunlight, light

Color fastness of textiles (referred to as color fastness), dyed or printed fabrics, subjected to external
factors in the use or processing (extrusion, friction, washing, rain, sunlight, light, sea water immersion,
saliva impregnated, water stains, perspiration, etc.) under action of degree of fading is an important
indicator of the fabric. Good color fastness of textiles in post-processing or use of the process is not easy
to fade; poor color fastness, appears to fade a little color, or staining, resulting in a lot of trouble.

1, Color fastness of textiles frequently asked Questions

Daily sampling & consumer complaints, themostcommon color fastness of textiles issue following aspects:
1) Light fastness failed. Coat clothing wearing by site of sunlight faded or discolored (usually parts of
back and shoulders), not exposed to irradiation of same color or light change, resulting in the
original color color shades, can no longer continue to use.
2) Washable fastness, color fastness to washing & dry cleaning resistance & color fastness unqualified.
Advanced silk clothing, wool clothing, cotton clothing most likely there are problems in this area.
3) Color fastness to rubbing unqualified. Textiles during use, because different parts of the product by
the degree of friction, the degree of fade. Such as T-shirt, elbow sleeves, collar and armpit is the
most easy to fade. In addition, the hips and knees of the pants easy to fade.
4) Color fastness to perspiration failed. Wearing summer clothes or personal underwear, sweat
impregnated fade.

2, Impact color fastness factors and improvement

Poor color fastness fade in process of wearing, it will affect other clothing worn on body, or when
washed with other clothing contaminated with other clothing, affect appearance and wearability; On
other hand, color fastness is good or bad but also directly related to human health and safety. Poor color
fastness products on dye molecules and heavy metal ions may be absorbed into body through the skin
against skin and even damage to health.

The factors that affect the color fastness of textiles of internal and external factors. Refers to the dye and
fiber as strong internal factors, external factors refers to products in course of external factors imposed
by external forces or environmental conditions. External factors beyond the control of, and therefore
producers must strive to improve the color fastness of the product itself. Here's the personal experience
several solution, for your reference.

2.1 Dyes choice

How a product for color fastness, dyes & choice is very important. Dyes and inappropriate choice, no
matter how good the additives, no matter how good the dyeing process, there is no way to dye high-
quality color fastness. Only by choosing a suitable dye, to talk about the next step.

2.1.1 Dyes selected according to characteristics of fiber

The different forms of a combination of different kinds of dyes & fibers, bond securely different degrees.
Type of dye is determined, & then select dyeing properties of dyes. For example, wool fabric, same strong acid
dyes, domestic than imported strong acid dyes performance, only color is not good, its combination of
strong as latter is not as good; same domestic strongly acidic dye, different dyes wool fastness & color
brightness also different. With a weak acid dye color fastness of dyed wool yarn than strong acid dyes;
cotton fabric or regenerated cellulose fiber fabric, either with direct dyes can also be reactive dyes; weak
acid of silk fabrics can be used dyes, certain reactive dyes, but also with individual direct dyes.

2.1.2 Dye shades of color choose

Categories of dye, it is necessary to further define color & depth of dyed colors which specific dye. First,
try to use shade & desired dye color close, if deviation, use other dyes toner; Second, to see selected dye
color fastness. The dyes own color fastness sent through process up to raise half a grade color fastness;
see saturation of dye can achieve required color depth. If chosen to low transfection rate of dye even after processing to
achieve required high depth of color, dye binding temporarily not firmly off in use or reprocessing.

2.1.3 Series selection dye dye color fastness

Introduction of each dye, have introduced color fastness of dye series. The choice of dye must choose
according to the product requirements for color fastness series dyes, and also similar to color fastness
of the dye color juxtaposition. For example, color fastness of dye itself can only reach 2 to 3 or even 1 to
2, no matter how good the additives and dyeing process cannot dye 4 to 5 color fastness. , The color
fastness of dye depends mainly on binding force between dye & fiber, if bond between the two is not
securely much force cannot make them solid combination improved, even after fixing also stand up to
washing, friction & external factors such as damage.

2.1.4 Dye fiber dyeing rate

Type of dye to render type of dye rate, & type of dyeing conditions, same rate of dye is different.
Therefore, choice of dye to be considered on transfection rate, otherwise dye will appear between
competing dyeing phenomenon in which a dye in advance on transfection position occupied fiber dyed
only on surface of fiber, resulting in other dye to not uniformly to form a solid bond with fibers in a
later step or daily use was first destroyed. This is why some colors fade was showing a different color
to original color. Thus dye must be used under same conditions, similar uptake rate of dye in fiber, so
the next step development of technology is also very useful.

2.1.5 Dyes have good compatibility

The type of dye in same class of dyes, the type of its compatibility, compatibility larger the value, the
better the ability of dye between mixed colors. Must have good compatibility between the juxtaposition
of color dyes. Not easy to fight the best color with the three primary colors. The three primary colors of
each type of dye, the best compatibility, but also fight the shade most complete, the most positive of the
three dyes. Thus difficult dyed a strange color is best to use the three primary colors to color, try not to
use other dyes recklessly, prone to phenomenon of competing dye, easily stained spend.

2.1.6 Minimize required number of dye

Selected dyes, should first select shade & similar color dye required to supplement missing shade of
main dye & then use one or two dyes, & should select shade is same color dye, so dyed colors pure,
clean, bright & full. Try not to use four or five dye color to play, as neither good color, & is difficult to
operate a large number of dyeing. And, although color, dyed bright shade, not full, dye cannot be fully
combined with fiber, resulting in color fastness is poor.

2.2 selection and use of additives

2.2.1 Select the appropriate additives
Determine varieties of dye, choice of additives is also important. Generally try to choose matching with
dye additives, if routine use of ordinary dyes, they have to focus on determination & use of additive.
For deep color, dye is not easy to exhaustion, & additives may be added portionwise, exhaustion rate
can be improved. Can also improve fastness of dye adsorption, play role of a solid color.

2.2.2 Minimize amount of retarding agent

From the retarding effect of retarding agent, should try to reduce amount of, or stripping. Will reduce
rate of dyeing, on other hand, will weaken binding force of dye & fiber, so that poor color fastness.
Flower color of dye can be achieved through deployment of dyes and heating rate leveling effect.

2.2.3 Optional fixative

The fixing agent used will greatly improve fastness of dye, generally at least 0.5 to 1 can be improved,
but choice of fixative to fastness of dyes should also be considered. We cannot just individual projects.
For example: reactive dye cationic low molecular weight polyamine fixing agent treatment, wash
fastness of the fabric in the 4 to 5, but the light fastness decline. Fixing must strictly control amount of
fixing agent, fixing temperature, and fixation time.

2.2.4 Soaping and washing

Soaping and washing, be sure to wash fully, to ensure that washing temperature & time, otherwise, the
surface of the fabric floating color will fade in use.

2.2.5 Softener use

In order to make product plump & soft feel, to join softener processing. Softener, cationic, anionic, non-
ionic & organic silicon. Softener Finally, in a step after end of dyeing process, dyes and softeners further
reaction, it is possible to reduce color fastness, especially acid dyes using a silicone softener, even during
softening treatment will be drained away part of dye , so that the color is slightly lighter. Thus, amount
of soft softener to be just right, otherwise, not only feel tacky, but also affect the color.

3. Dyeing process to develop

The dyeing process is a key link in dyeing making process must be determined according to dye &
dyeing time, heating rate & holding time. For light, heating rate is slower, holding time can be shorter; dark,
heating rate can be fast, but holding time must fully able to be fully integrated, play a role in fixing dye & fiber.

In short, factors affecting color fastness of textiles, internal factors, production process is been done to
ensure that products with excellent color fastness to meet daily taking & processing requirements; external
factors, according to a certain use of product requirements, pay attention to washing temperature, detergent & washing
& friction intensity, exposure time & other factors can reduce color fastness. Make product better use.