Dye distribution in the dyeing of mixed denier polyester fabrics

Abstract

Microfibre polyester is sometimes blended with higher denier fibres to achieve good aesthetic effects at lower cost. Two polyester yarns of 1.4 and 0.7 denier were dyed singly and together with a range of depths of CI Disperse Blue 79, and the dye distribution over the course of the dyeings was examined. The uptake is initially greater on the microfibre, but as dyeing is continued the distribution becomes more even, and eventually the same concentration of dye is present on both fibres. Based on the common observation that a given concentration of dye produces a lighter shade on a microfibre, the redistribution of dye during the process causes a continuing shade change even though the bath exhaustion is constant. A mixture of three dyes produced a stable hue on a fabric of 1.0 denier polyester after 20 min at a fixed dyeing temperature, but when dyed on a fabric of 1.0 and 0.5 denier yarns, a change in hue continued for more than 60 min.