Evaluating the Interactive Effect of Temperature and Alkali Concentration on Dye Absorption of Mercerized Cotton Plain Knitted Fabric

Different samples were mercerized to evaluate the interactive effect of temperature and alkali concentration on dye absorption of plain knitted fabrics. The mass of dye picked up by mercerized knitted fabric was estimated by assessment of the wastewater of dyeing process. In order to observe the microstructural changes of the mercerized fabrics, FTIR spectra were recorded for gray fabric and mercerized samples with maximum dye absorption. The results of this study showed that, absorption performance of the mercerized samples was much more superior to that of gray fabric. The dyeing rate increased by alkali concentration at low temperature. Optimum alkali concentration dropped by increases in temperature as in bath temperatures of 40 and 60°C the optimum alkali concentrations were 250 and 200 g/L respectively. In addition to above results, dye absorption decreased by further increase in bath temperature. With the increase in alkali concentration, although the absorption peak appeared at 40°C but the mass of the dye picked up by the fabrics was decreased. Finally, the alkali concentration of 200 g/L at temperature of 60°C were considered the most suitable conditions for mercerization of cotton plain knitted fabric.