Optimization of Dyeing of Cationized Cotton Fibers with Safflower Extracts

The behaviour and dyeing properties of natural dyes extracted from safflower plant, Carthamus tinctorius were studied in details. Cotton fabric was cationized with cationic agent (Tanafix SR) to enhance its dyeability to the used natural dye. Three different methods were used for extracting the various colouring matters from safflower florets, viz. , acid, neutral and alkaline methods. Acid method was used to extract the yellow colour species, i. e. safflomin A, B and C, whereas the alkaline method aimed to extract the red colour component, i. e. carthamin quinone along with the neutral extracting method. The obtained extracts were used for dyeing the cationized cotton fabric and the various parameters that may affect the dyeing process were investigated. Maximum colour strength (K/S) was found to be realized by dyeing at pH=7 and 60-70 C for 90 min. for the three used extracts. Addition of sodium chloride to the dye bath was observed to have a negative effect on the colour strength for the three different safflower extracts. The effect of dyeing pH and temperature on the colour hue was also determined by measuring the coordinate dyeing properties (L*, a*, b*) of the obtained dyeings. The colour fastness properties to washing, perspiration, rubbing and light were also assessed.