Wool fabrics were pretreated with calcium and sodium oxalate in acidic and alkaline pH media. The pretreated and untreated fabric samples were then dyed in the same bath with acid dyes by the exhaustion technique. The pretreated fiber sample surfaces were observed using a scanning electron microscope. The color strength and fastness properties of the fabrics were investigated. The results of the study showed that pretreatment with oxalate derivatives can be used as a means of improving the dyeability of wool fibers. As the dyed, pretreated wool fabrics had higher color strength and fastness results than the untreated wool fabrics, the mechanical properties were affected negatively. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 3440-3445, 2011
Wool fabrics were pretreated with calcium and sodium oxalate in acidic and alkaline pH
mediums. The pretreated and untreated fabric samples were then dyed in the same bath with
acid dyes by the exhaustion technique. The pretreated fiber samples, surfaces were observed
using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The color strength and fastness properties of the
fabrics were investigated. The results of the study showed that pretreatment with oxalate
derivatives can be used as a means of improving the dyeability of wool fibers. The dyed
pretreated wool fabrics had higher color strength and fastness results than the untreated wool
fabrics.