Effect of Enzymatic Bio-scouring on Cotton: Properties and Improvement of Dye-Ability by Reactive Dye

Abstract

This study especially focused on scouring of cotton knit fabric. Factors which affect enzymatic scouring such as pH, temperature, chelating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, auxiliaries, etc. were evaluated to establish optimal conditions. In order to investigate the effect of enzymatic scouring on cotton properties, fabric weight loss, damage on fiber surface and dye-ability of enzymatic scoured knit fabric was compared with alkaline scoured fabric. Furthermore, the difference in dyeing behaviour between enzymatic scoured and alkaline scoured fabric was examined with dye-O-meter.