Dyeing properties of cotton fabric using un-irradiated and gamma irradiated extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis bark powder

Abstract

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) bark powder (un-irradiated and irradiated) has been used as natural colourant for dyeing un-irradiated and irradiated cotton fabric using different absorbed doses of Co-60 gamma irradiation to study the effect of radiation treatment on the colour strength of dyed fabrics. The data colour report is used for the evaluation of unirradiated and irradiated dyed cotton using Spectra Flash (SF650) in CIE Lab system. Preand post-mordanting has also been carried out using chrome alum, potassium dichromate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate and stannous chloride as mordants. It is found that gamma irradiation has a potential to improve the fastness properties such as washing, light and rubbing of cotton dyed with Eucalyptus powder.