Assessing color properties of reactive dyed cotton fabrics after different sequential fastness test procedures

Abstract

This paper focused on a novel approach for fastness testing. The changes in color properties of reactive dyed cotton fabrics after different sequential fastness test procedures were investigated. Three different cotton fabrics were dyed with four reactive dyes that were marketed as high light-fast dyes. Light, wash, and hot-pressing fastness tests were applied to dyed fabrics in three different sequential test procedures. The lightness (L*), chroma (C*), and color difference (Delta E*) values were discussed according to the different fastness tests which were applied in different orders. The results showed that the sequence of the fastness tests used changed the color properties of the fabrics in different ways. The final color of the dyed fabric samples was studied by examining the effect of different tests on the same experimental sample. A new methodology for applying sequential fastness tests rather than applying single independent tests was discussed.