Performance enhancement of water and energy efficient foam dyeing and finishing through different foaming agents

Abstract

ABSTRACT Foam dyeing and finishing is an ecofriendly alternative to conventional padding in textile processing. However, the generation and application of foam is a challenging task especially for wide range of dyes and chemicals due to technical and compatibility issues. In the foam dyeing and finishing process, foaming agent plays a central role. However, there is a lack of research on the compatibility of range of foaming agents with the range of different dyes and finishes. Therefore, in this research, foam was generated and optimized for seven different colorants including three reactive dyes, two direct dyes, and two pigments, and three different finishes including softener, oil and water repellent, and fire retardant using three different foaming agents separately. These foaming agents are alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, alkane sulfonate sodium salt, and ethoxylated decanol. Foam was successfully generated, optimized, and applied on the cotton fabric. Performance of the fabric samples treated with padding and three foaming agents for each dye and finish was evaluated. In most of the foam dyeing and foam finishing recipes, alkane sulfonate sodium salt-based foaming agent indicated the best dyeing and finishing properties and its performance was comparable with conventional padding in addition to significant savings of water, chemicals, and energy.