Defects in Sulphur Dyeing

Defects in Sulphur Dyeing

1. Tendering

Tendering in the fabric takes place because sulphur is converted into sulphuric acid after oxidation which is harmful for the cellulosic fibers. This defect can occur on account of not proper washing of the fabric after dyeing which results in retaining of sulphuric acid on the cloth.

2. Uneven Dyeing and Oxidation Marks

This may occur due to:

a. Lower strength of sodium sulphide

b. Using improper amount of sodium sulphide.

c. Sodium sulphide does not wash off fully after washing.

d. Variation in temperature.

e. If colors are not dissolved properly, or colors are not of good quality

f. If the chemical used for oxidation is not of good quality

g. Fabrics are not worked upon properly at the time of dyeing.


3. Bronziness

This defect normally occurs in heavy shades. Given below are the reasons:

1. More time gap between dyeing and washing

2. Using more of less strength sodium sulphide

3. Using more salt.

4. Oxidiser doesn't get washed off properly during washing

5. Sodium sulphide doesn't get washed off properly during washing.

6. More presence of iron and copper ions in water.


4. Poor colorfastness to rubbing

It depends upon:

a. type of color
b. Lower strength of sodium sulphide
c. Poor absorbency of the fabric
d. Fabric is not washed properly
e. The quality of soap used for washing is not proper
f. Dyeing bath made of iron instead of steel
g. Frequent addition of colors and chemicals
h. Using Cationic finishing agent in finishing also lowers the colorfastness to rubbing
i. Improper color solution, Improper material to liquor ratio etc.

5. Roughness in Fabric

1. Using more amount of sodium sulphide that doesn't get washed off during washing.
2. Heavier shade
3. Improper washing
4. Not using anionic softening agent in finishing
5. Not using wetting agent.

How to Improve Colorfastness in Vat Dyeing

Colorfastness Problems in Vat Dyeing- Reasons and Remedies

Causes of Poor Colorfastness in Vat Dyeing

Frequent addition of colors in the dye bath to match the shade. It disturbs the equlibrium between colors and chemicals.

- Improper oxidation

- Improper washing

- Some peculiar colors such as blue and brown also leads to this defect.

- Hardness in the water used

- Mixing of incompatible colors

- Usage of large quantities of reducing agent and alkali

- Improper temperature

- Improper wringing of the cloth

- Faults in the machine

- Not using essential chemicals such as dispersing agent or leveling agents.

- Dyeing in a finished cloth ( Resin or Silicon Finish)

- Improper preparation of the cloth or thread for dyeing ( Like not removing impurities or size)

How to improve colorfastness in Vat Dyeing

1. Dont frequently add colors during dyeing

2. Ensure proper reduction clearance

3. Ensure proper oxidation

4. Choose right colors and chemicals

5. Control Temperarue

6. Use soft water

7. Add Dispersing or levelling agent as per need

8. Dont redye finished cloths

9. Ensure proper washing after dyeing.

10. Treat the material with small amount of Ammonia and Sodium Hydrosulphite

11. Treat the cloth with large amount of reducing agent and alkali. This method can be resorted to if there is some bleeding in the colors.

Listing Defect in Vat Dyeing

Listing Defect in Vat Dyeing and the Precautions to Prevent the Defect

Listing is the variation in color of centre of the fabric with the selvedge. Some of the reasons for this defect are:

1. Improper batching.
2. Non Uniformity in the selvedge
3. Redyeing of the fabric
4. Foam on the two sides of the jigger.
5. Slippage of the fabric from the roller during dyeing.
6. Shortcomings in the machine such as malfunctioning of guide roll, expander roller or improper squeezing.
7. Improper filteration of the colors, improper circlation of the liquor during dyeing. Difference in temperature of liquor in the centre and at the ends.
8. Mixing of colors which are not properly compatible.
9. Improper singeing

The remedies are:

1. There should not be any mechanical fault in the machine.
2. Take proper care during dyeing, like filter the color solution before using, ensure that all the controlling instrument ( temperature, time) work properly. Circulate the liquor continuously during dyeing.
3. If some shade is not coming out proper, dye with a slighly heavy shade without taking out the earlier color.
4. Join the fabrics of the same width while making a lot.

Defects in Dyeing with Reactive Dyes

Defects in Dyeing with Reactive Dyes

Defect: Colors are not fast to washing, Abrasion;Staining in the fabric when transporting from place to the other, water marks on the fabric

Remedy : Wash the fabric with soap and soda ash at right temperature. Adding sequestering agent will yield good results. Treating with Ammonia will also give good results.

Defects in the fabric due to Printing- Need to take out full color

Remedy: Treat the dyed fabric with Sodium Hydrosuphite with 5-10 gm Sodium Hydrosulphite at 75 deg C for 30-45 minutes. Add 5-7 gms Caustic Soda for even removal of colors. The color becomes light yellow or brown after removal. Wash it thoroughly with soap.

The color can also be removed by solution of Sodium Hypochlorite. Treat the fabric with a sodium hypochlorite solution ( 3-5 gms Chlorine) for 20-30 minutes. Keep the pH between 9-10. The fabric is treated with Acetic acid after removal of color to remove chlorine and to neutralise the fabric.

The fabric can be redyed after removal of color

Defect: Bleeding in colors during washing, abrasion

Remedy: Boil the fabric with caustic, Treat the fabric with Hydrogen Peroxide ( 5-10 gpl, 60-70 deg C) to make the color fast.


Defect: The fabric has been dyed in darker shade, uneven dyeing

Remedy: To take out color from the fabric treat it with caustic for 45-60 min at 70 deg C. Thereafter treat the fabric with 10-20 gpl Acetic Acid for 40-60 min at 80-85 deg C.

Defect: Uneven dyeing, marks of water, marks of colors

Remedy: Wash the fabric in soap and redye in a darker shade

Defect : The fabric has become stiff and rough after dyeing

Remedy: Finish after adding right softner

Defect: Color staining of fabric, uneven dyeing

Remedy: Redye the fabric in darker shade.

Defect: Color staining in fabrics of darker shade, uneven undyeing

Remedy: Dye the fabric in Sulphur black

Caution: Please treat a small length fabric to check the effectiveness and any harmful effects before commencing a full treatment.

Common Causes of Dyeing Defects

Common Causes of Dyeing Defects:

It is important that the general precautions should be followed while dyeing a textile material. It is always helpful to keep a record of all the conditions (including temperature, time, conc of color, chemicals, material to liquor ratio) in order to get an even shade in each batch. In general the following are the common causes of dyeing defects across all the categories of dyes:

1. The material is not well prepared for dyeing and printing

a. Material having dead fibres or other defective fibres
b. Left over of Chemicals after bleaching etc.
c. Material not properly desized
d. Material not properly mercerised.
e. Absorbancy of the fabric not proper
f. Sticking of insoluble material on the fibres
g. Impurities are not removed properly
h. Uneven heat treatment.

2.Water Quality not Proper

a. More Hardness of water
b. Water has metal ions such as iron.
c. pH of water not proper
d. Water having more chlorine

3. Due to Shortcomings in making Dyeing Solution

a. Improper weight ratio of colors, material and chemicals.
b. Improper material to water ratio
3. Improper filtering of concentrated colors.

4. Due to Shortcomings in the dye machinery

a. Coming out of Dye liquor during dyeing
b. Defective instruments controlling temperature, pressure speed etc.