Optimization of the pre-application process of a reactive resin before direct dyeing for imparting reserve effects on Elastane/cotton pant garments

Abstract

The present study investigated multi-response optimization of process parameters of a new formula based on reactive resins applied on Elastane/cotton pants. Bleached samples were treated with a reserve agent based on reactive resins, then were dyed with a direct dye to impart reserve and contrast effects. The response surface methodology (RSM) and desirability functions were employed to obtain simultaneous optimum settings of input parameters including liquor ratio bath, resin concentration, curing time and temperature. Different tests were carried out on the resin treated and dyed samples: color strength of the front and the back side of the pant garment, tear strength, washing, and rubbing color fastness.The main goal of this work is to propose a new solution: the application of a resin followed by a dyeing process to obtain special reserve and contrast effects on pants and to propose optimized conditions to succeed. Under the optimized conditions, the experimental values of liquor ratio bath, resin concentration, curing temperature and curing time agreed closely with the predicted values. The optimized process parameters for maximum tear strength, maximum color fastness properties and a minimum color strength of the front side of the pant garment were found to be: liquor ratio bath as 12.22:1, concentration of resin as 183 g/L, curing temperature as 140 °C and curing time as 12 min. 20 s.