The Use of Gambir as Coloring Agent in Dyeing of Cotton Textile

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the use of gambir as coloring agent on cotton fabric by using specific dipping condition and to obtain the best gambir concentration. Concentrations of gambir solution used in this study were 7.5, 12.5, 17.5, and 22.5 g/l, respectively. Dipping process was started by soaking of cotton fabric in gambir solution for 15 minutes at 40–100 °C temperature which was subsequently dried and put in room temperature for 15 minutes. The fixation process was repeated seven times using 5% weight/volume of calcium hydroxide for 15 minutes. The results showed that grey scale for colorfastness was in the range of 1 to 3. Coloring scale in cotton fabric was in the range of3.5 to 4.5 and it was 4 to 5 on polyesther fabric. Coloring scale on dry ironing was in the range of 4 to 5 and it was 2.5 to 4 on wet ironing. The L* value was in the range of 40.5 to 64.84, a* value was in the range of 10.71 to 19.76 and b* value was in the range of 16.99 to 24.51. The best concentration of gambir solution was 2.5% with L* value of 64.84, * value of 12.04 and b* value of 17.38. The grey scale was 3, coloring scale on cotton and polyesther fabrics was 5, coloring scale for dry ironing was 5 and coloring scale for wet ironing was 4.