Dyeing of Cotton and Silk Fabrics Using Stem of Achras sapota Extract:Effects of Mordanting and Dyeing Process Variables on Colour Yield and Colour Fastness Properties

Eco-friendliness is one of the priority concerned in the textile industry where natural dyes can be used instead of synthetic dyes. The present study deals with an attempt which has been made to obtain dye extract from the stem of Achras sapota. Conventionally bleached cotton and silk fabrics have been subjected to pre, post and simultaneous mordanting with selective mordants using myrobolan (harda) and other mordants (metallic salts) followed by dyeing with ethanol extract of stem of Achras sapota. It is observed that the application of 3 per cent of Al₂(SO₄)₃ and 3 per cent of FeSO₄ have been identified as two better prospective mordanting system. The study on the effect of dyeing process variables on surface colour strength indicates that the 60 min. dyeing time, 60°C dyeing temperature, 1:20 material-to-liquor ratio, 3 per cent mordant concentration, 5 per cent dye concentration and 5g l^-1 common salt are the optimum values with minor differences among the different fibre- mordant system studied. This study also includes the comparison of mordanting techniques as well as dying properties and visualizes the effect of myrobolan and metallic mordants. Colour fastnesses to washing, rubbing, light fastness and perspiration of cotton and silk fabrics dyed with and without mordants have also been studied.