CATEGORY HUB · 1 ARTICLES
Pretreatment
Desizing, scouring, bleaching, mercerizing
The wet-process sequence that prepares greige fabric for dyeing. Chemical preparation of cotton, polyester, and blends. The foundation of every successful dyeing operation.
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Essential reading
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Frequently asked questions
What is desizing?
Removing the protective size (starch, PVA, CMC) applied to warp yarns before weaving. Methods: enzymatic (amylase), oxidative (hydrogen peroxide), or acidic. Critical for even dyeing.
What is scouring?
Alkaline treatment (NaOH 5-10 g/L at 95-100C) with surfactant to remove natural waxes, oils, and pectins from cotton. Critical for even dye uptake.
What is bleaching?
Oxidative whitening, typically with H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) at 95C, pH 10.5-11.0. Removes natural pigments from cotton and prepares for dyeing or printing.
What is mercerizing?
Treatment of cotton with concentrated NaOH (22-26%) under tension. Increases luster, dye uptake, and tensile strength. John Mercer, 1844.
Why is pre-treatment important?
Pre-treatment is the foundation of every successful dyeing operation. Poor pre-treatment leads to uneven dyeing, color spots, and poor fastness. Most re-dye claims are due to pre-treatment issues.
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