Studies on Anti-wrinkle Properties of Silk Fabrics Dyed with Reactive and Crosslinking Dyes

The anti-wrinkle properties of silk fabrics dyed with four reactive dyes and three crosslinking dyes were investigated. Compared with the undyed silk fabrics, the wrinkle recovery angle (WRA) of silk fabrics dyed with C.I. Reactive Red 195 and C.I. Reactive Red 141 was increased by 14.9—15.3% when the dye concentration was 0.67 g/L. With the same concentration of synthesized crosslinking dyes PAD1, PAD2 and PAD3, the WRA of dyed silk fabrics was increased by 17.9— 21.3% with high dye reactivity. The anti-wrinkle properties of silk fabrics dyed with the crosslinking dyes were as good as those finished with 1,2,3,4-butaneteracarboxylic acid. Moreover, the anti-wrinkle properties of silk fabrics were improved with the increase of the crosslinking dyes and crosslinker XLC concentration, and the handle of these silk fabrics was still satisfactory. The increment ratio of the WRA of the silk fabrics dyed with crosslinking dyes was about the same as those finished with glyoxal or epoxide EPSIB. It may be concluded that these crosslinking dyes could lead to not only high dye fixation, but also excellent wrinkle-resistant properties of silk fabrics; in addition, it is feasible to dye and finish silk fabrics with crosslinking dyes simultaneously as demonstrated in this study.