Assessing the application parameters of BTCA on cotton fabric by colour coordinates

Abstract

This paper assesses the colour coordinates and colour difference values obtained for reactive dyed and later post-cured cotton fabric with a crosslinking agent for different application parameters. Fabric samples are dyed in a commercial trichromatic reactive dye bath and post-cured with 1,2,3,4 - butanetetracarboxylicacid (BTCA) at four different agent concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7 % owb) and four different curing temperatures (120, 150, 180, 210°C). The colour coordinates of dyed fabrics before and after BTCA application and curing are measured and colour differences are calculated. Wrinkle Recovery Angles and carboxyl group concentrations of the samples are measured to evaluate the degree of crosslinking. The smallest colour differences are obtained below 150°C. 180°C is found to be the most suitable curing temperature for BTCA concentrations below 5%. The most effective BTCA concentration is found to be 5% with regard to colour differences and carboxyl content of the treated samples.