Modification of polyester fabric by chemical/thermal treatment to improve dyeing ability

Abstract

Attempts were made to enhance the dyeability of polyester fabric by thermal treatment or combined chemical/thermal treatment in hot air or in steam, either slack or under load. Ethanolamine, hydrazine hydrate, ethylene glycol and a benzophenone derivative were applied to the fabric by padding technique prior to the thermal treatment. The dyeability of polyester fabric was found to be improved at nearly boiling without using carriers and/or high‐temperature/high‐pressure techniques. The rate of dyeing of chemically/thermally treated polyester fabric was found to increase. Differential thermal analysis of the polyester samples was interpreted in terms of dyeability improvement. The glass transition temperature of the treated fabric was found to decrease compared with the untreated one, resulting in an enhancement in the dyeability of polyester fabric with disperse dye.