Importance of some machinery parameters in the dyeing process of polyester microfibre fabrics

Abstract

Polyester microfibres have been gaining popularity because of their specific properties in the textile industry. Dyeing properties of polyester fibres are similar to conventional fibres but there are important differences depending on the fibre fineness and related properties. Also the woven fabrics made of polyester microfibres have different light reflecting properties than the conventional fabrics which cause lighter dyeing effects on fabric surface. In this paper, effects of some machinery parameters, which are used in dyeing polyester microfibre fabrics, on the colour values were studied. Samples of polyester microfibre fabrics were dyed under laboratory conditions with different heating up rates (2 °C/min-1.5 °C/min - 1°C/min). The shades of the fabric samples were measured with a reflectance spectrophotometer to obtain the colour values. According to results obtained, L* values decreased with a decrease in heating up speeds while a* and b* and chroma (C*) values increased. The shades obtained became darker and colour differences between heating up speeds gradually increased. Spectral reflectance curves of the dyed samples indicated that a decrease in heating up rate caused a lower reflectance and consequently higher K/S values and higher dye absorption. Colour values were obtained under different illuminants (D65, A and TL84).