Lab 03

Dyeing off cotton fabric with sulphur dye.

Objective:

• To learn about dyeing process of cotton fabric by sulphur dye.

• To dye cotton fabric by sulphur dye.

Introduction:

Sulphur dyes are complex heterocyclic molecules or mixtures formed by melting or boiling organic
compounds containing amino or nitro groups with Na-polysulphide and Sulphur. Sulphur dyes are so
called as they all contain Sulphur linkage within their molecules. Sulphur dyes are highly coloured,
water insoluble compounds and have to be converted in to water soluble substantive forms
(lucoforms) before application to the textile materials. This conversion is carried out by a treatment
with a reducing agent like dilute aqueous Na2S. Since this lucoform of Sulphur dye is substantive to
cellulosic materials. They are absorbed on the fibre surface. Then they are reconverted original water
insoluble form of dye by oxidation. This oxidation is carried out by “airing” (exposure to air) or by using
an oxidizing agent like Na-dichromate (Na2Cr2O7). The reducing agents converts the “S” in dye in to
–SH group and the Sulphur linkages. Then inside the material the tholos containing –SH groups are
oxidized & thus reconverted to original form of dye.

Nature of sample:

• Pre-treated 100% cotton knit fabric.

Apparatus required:

• Beakers
• Glass Rod.
• Pipette.
• Measuring Cylinder.
• Digital Balance.
• Tri-pod stand.
• Gas Burner.
• Thermometer.
• Pot.

Process sequence:

• collection of pre-treated sample

• set water level
• add dye solution
• add Na2S solution
• add wetting agent solution
• add levelling agent solution
• add glauber salt solution
• add soda ash
• add fabric sample
• raise the temperature to 55deg C
• run time for 30 minute
 • bath drop at 70deg C
• rinsing
• dry

Calculation:

Total Liquor = Fabric weight X L [M:L = 01:30]

= 5 X 30

= 150mL

Dye = (Fabric weight X x%) / stock solution%

= (5X4%) / 1%

=20mL

Na2S = = (Total liquor X 'x'g/L) / (stock solution% X 1000)

= (150 X 10) / 10% X 1000

= 15ml

Wetting Agent = (Total liquor X 'x'g/L) / (stock solution% X 1000)

= (150 X 1) / 1% X 1000

= 15ml

Levelling Agent = (Total liquor X 'x'g/L) / (stock solution% X 1000)

= (150 X 1) / 1% X 1000

= 15ml

Glauber Salt = (Total liquor X 'x'g/L) / (stock solution% X 1000)

= (150 X 1) / 1% X 1000

= 15mL

Soda Ash = (Total liquor X 'x'g/L) / (stock solution% X 1000)

= (150 X 5) /3% X 1000

= 25ml

Initial Water = total liquor - (chemical 1 + chemical 2 + chemical 3 ...)

= 150- (20+15+15+15+15+25) mL

= 150 -105 mL

= 45mL
Conclusion:

Sulphur dyes have no affinity for textile cellulose fibres. Sulphur dyes are insoluble in water. These
dyes are converted to leuco form before dyeing with the help of dilute aqueous (na2s). This leuco form
is used for dyeing of cellulose materials. Sulphur dyes are produced black and brown shade and cannot
produce other shades such as red , yellow and orange.

Discussion:

Defects of Sulphur Dyeing:

They are mainly two defects which are common in Sulphur dyes which dyeing with textile materials:-

• Bronziness or Dullness of shades

• Sulphur Black tendering

Sulphur dyes are very popular in producing the black shades.

Causes for the Popularity of Producing Black Shades with Sulphur Dyes:

• Low cost
• Fair to good light fastness
• High Wash fastness
• Easy to apply
• Low energy required
• Chemical resistance is moderate to good.
• Wide range of shades especially on heavy, durable shades on apparel fabric.