Optimization of Dyeing Fixing Process on Silk Fabrics through DOE Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe main aim of this work is to demonstrate the adequacy of Design of Experiments as a reliable tool in the process optimization of dyeing fixing by steaming of pre-printed silk fabrics. The experimental campaign was conducted on a lab-size pilot plant, which re-creates the same operating conditions as in a common industrial case. The steam flow rate and the time spent by the fabric in the steaming chamber were chosen as controlled process parameters. Several samples were extracted and washed. The resulting washing solution of water, released dye and cleaning agent underwent spectrophotometric analysis, whose peak of absorbance was chosen as response for the statistical analysis. The obtained predictive models have shown the high influence of time spent by the fabric in the steaming chamber, while the one of the steam flow rate could be considered negligible. The developed regression equations can be used to predict the absorbance peaks and, consequently, the dyeing persistency, at 90% confidence level and have been useful employed to optimize the permanence of the silk fabric inside the steaming chamber at 13.7 minutes.