Introduction

Natural fibers contain oils, fats, waxes, minerals, leafy matter and
motes as impurities that interfere with dyeing and finishing. Synthetic
fibers contain producer spin finishes, coning oils and/or knitting oils.
Mill grease used to lubricate processing equipment mill dirt,
temporary fabric markings and the like may contaminate fabrics as
they are being produced. The process of removing these impurities is
called Scouring.

Even though these impurities are not soluble in water, they can be
removed by Extraction, dissolving the impurities in organic solvents,
Emulsification, forming stable suspensions of the impurities in water
and Saponification, Converting the contaminates into water soluble
components.
Definition:
Scouring is the process by which all natural and additive impurities
such as oil, wax, fat , hand dust etc. removed to produce hydrophilic
and clean textile material.

It is vital process for wet processing.

Scouring depends on:

➢ Types of cotton
➢ Cleanliness of cotton
➢ Color of cotton
➢ Twist & count of yarn
➢ Fabric construction
Objectives of scouring:
➢ To make the fabric highly hydrophilic.
➢ To remove impurities such as oil, wax, gum, husks as nearly as possible.
➢ To increase absorbency of fabric or textile materials without physical or
chemical damage.
➢ To produce a clean material by adding alkali.
➢ To make the fabric ready for next process.
➢ To remove non-cellulosic substance in case of cotton.
List of Impurities:

Natural impurities:
➢ Pectin, peptic acid
➢ Oil, wax
➢ Mineral matter
➢ Amino compound

Added impurities:
➢ Dirt, dust
➢ Seeds
➢ Oil etc
 Form of Scouring
Yarn scouring:
 Hank form Scouring process:
 Package form
– Batch process.
 Continuous sheet warp form.
– Semi – continuous
process.
Fabric scouring: – Discontinuous process.
Open width form- – Modern process.
 Jigger
 Pad batch
Rope form-
 Kier
Process of scouring

The typical recipe is as follows-

Wetting agent =0.5-1 g/l

Detergent =1-2 g/l
Sequestering agent =1-3 g/l
Caustic soda =2-4g/l
Temperature =95-100◦c
Time =15-45 minutes
pH =10.5-11.5
M:L =1:10
Chemicals used in scouring process
Scouring Procedure:

➢ Set the with substrate at room temperature with wetting agent,

detergent, sequestering agents, and alkalis.

➢ Raise the temperature to 95-100°C @1-3°/min

➢ Run the bath for 30-60 min

➢ Cool down the bath temperature to 60-70°C and drop the material.

➢ Rinse twice with hot (around 60°C) and cool water.

 Estimation of Scouring:
1. Determination of weight loss
2. Absorbency Test
• Immersion Test
• Drop Test
• Spot Test
3. Column Test

Immersion Test:

❖ Sample size is “1 cm x 1 cm”

❖ If the fabric floats on the water, then it may be said that the fabric is
unscoured.
❖ If the fabric is immersed within 5 seconds then it may be said that the
fabric is scoured well.
Determination of Weight Loss:

•Standard weight loss is 4 – 8%

•If weight loss is less than 4%, it can be said that scouring was
not well
•If weight loss is above 8% then it can be said that fabric
damage has occurred.
Drop Test:

This test is very popular and easy to execute within a short time. In this
method a 0.1% direct red solution is used. A drop of the dye solution is
taken by a pipette or glass rod and put softly onto the sample surface.
The nature of the absorption is observed carefully.

Good scouring

Uniform scouring

Uneven scouring
Two think should be considered-

1. Time for absorption the drop

2. The shape of the absorbed area on the surface.

Result:
a. A standard scoured sample will take 0.5-1.0 sec for absorption of the
drop.
b. If the absorbed area forms a uniform circle and less area of
spreading indicate even but incomplete.
c. If the absorbed area forms bigger and uniform circle-indicates even
and complete scouring.
d. If spot shape is irregular-indicate uneven scouring.
Column Test/Wicking Test:

Solution of 0.1% direct red

Sample size “5 cm x 18 cm”
Observation time 5 minutes

Observation:
The length of fabric is observed in solution-

If the absorption rise up as high as 30 mm then it may

be said that the fabric has good scouring.

If the absorption rise up as high as 50 mm then it may

be said that the fabric has excellent scouring.
Souring:
The treatment/the process by which the fabric, after processing with
alkali or scouring, is treated with Hydrochloric acid or dilute H2SO4 for
removing alkali or neutralization of alkali is called scouring.

Difference between scouring and souring: