Determining Color Fastness to Wash

Theory

Color fastness is used in textile dyeing, meaning the resistance of a material's color to fading or running out. Colorfastness to washing means that a specimen of textile, in contact with one or two specified adjacent fabrics, is mechanically agitated under described conditions of time and temperature in a soap solution, then rinsed and dried. The change in color of the specimen and the staining of the adjacent fabric are assessed with the grayscale.

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Recipe

Chemicals / Parameters	Required Amount
ECE detergent	4 g/L
Multi fabric	(10 cm ✕ 4 cm)
Temp ✕ Time	60℃ ✕ 30 mins
Sample weight	1.15 gm
Sodium perborate	1 g/L
M : L	1 : 20
Steel balls	20

Recipe Calculation

Here, M : L = 1 : 20

Sample weight: 1.15 gm

Total liquor : (1.15 ✕ 20) = 23 ml

Chemicals = (g/L ✕ Total liquor) / 1000

ECE detergent = (4 ✕ 23) / 1000 = 0.092 gm

Sodium perborate = (1 ✕ 23) / 1000 = 0.023 gm

Freshwater = 23 ml

Functions of the Chemicals Required

Detergent: Removes dirt, dust, and excessive color.

Sodium perborate: It is a stable source of active oxygen in many detergents. It is a less aggressive bleach than sodium hypochlorite, causing less degradation in textiles.

Process Flow

A (10 cm ✕ 4 cm) multi-fabric is taken

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A dyed sample of the same size is also taken

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Sewn both multi-fabric and test samples together

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All the chemicals and water are taken into one pot, and steel balls are also put into the pot

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Fabrics are poured into the pot and washed in the machine at 60℃ for 30 minutes

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After 30 minutes, the specimen is taken out

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Rinsed and washed with cold water

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Dry the specimen with a dryer (less than 60℃)

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The change in color of the specimen and the staining of the adjacent fabric are assessed with grayscale

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Graded 1 to 5 according to the grayscale grades

Multi-fabric contains Acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic, and wool.

Curve

Color Fastness to Wash Curve

Conclusion

Colorfastness to washing is very important for dyed fabric. By doing this experiment, we can determine the colorfastness of dyed fabric to washing with detergent. Thus, we can ensure the resistance of the fabric's color to fading and running out.

How to determine the color fastness due to rubbing?

Ahmedabad