How does the type of fabric affect washing fastness?

 

The following are some common fabric types that affect wash fastness:

 

1. Cotton fabrics: Cotton fabrics usually have good wash fastness, especially natural cotton fibers. They have good dye absorbency and fixation and are not prone to color fading or penetration.

 

2. hemp fabrics: hemp fabrics generally have better washing fastness and usually dye better than cotton. They can withstand a certain degree of washing without fading or penetration.

 

3. polyester fabrics: polyester fabrics usually have good wash fastness. This synthetic fiber material absorbs dyes poorly and is less likely to change color during laundering.

 

4. wool fabrics: wool fabrics usually have good washing fastness, but the dyeing effect may be somewhat affected by the scales on the surface of wool fibers. Acid dyes and metal complex dyes have better fixation on wool.

 

5. Silk fabrics: Silk fabrics are relatively poor in terms of fastness to washing. The smooth surface of silk fibers does not readily absorb dyes, and additional fixatives may be required to improve pigment fixation during dyeing.

 

In addition, the fiber length of the textile, the fiber diameter, and the texture of the fiber surface also affect the wash fastness of the material. Longer silks are more susceptible to the effects of washing than shorter silks because the amino acids and acids within them are more easily hydrolyzed. Fibers with fine diameters have a large surface area and pigments tend to deepen and persist after dyeing. And fiber surfaces subjected to unconventional physical and chemical treatments such as bleaching, enzyme treatments or softener use can alter the chemical properties of the fiber surface, leading to unexpected color changes after dyeing.

 

In addition, the structure of the fabric also affects wash fastness. For example, cotton fabrics are more prone to color fading and penetration than long-staple cotton fabrics. In the case of woven fabrics, for example, plain weave is more susceptible to damage than twill (or selvedge) because it consists of a single thread woven alternately up and down. The relative positions of the threads and boards are not easily changed. In twill, a warp and a bobbin are interwoven, which increases twisting and panning in the threads and makes color movement more likely to occur.

 

Therefore, before conducting the washing fastness test, it is important to select the appropriate test methods and criteria according to the different fabric types and structures in order to obtain accurate test results and to guide the subsequent fabric treatment process.