Technical Information

Vitexol K

TI/T 7123 e
December 2000 (RV)

Supersedes TI/T 5999 e of August 1994

= Registered trademark of
BASF Aktiengesellschaft

Foam-inhibiting dyeing auxiliary

Vitexol K is ideal for preventing foam formation in the dyeing of knitted and
woven fabrics composed of cellulosic fibres in jet-dyeing machines.

Colorants and Finishing Products

Vitexol K

Chemical nature

Preparation of fatty acid esters.

Physical form

Hazy, yellow liquid that may form a flocculent sediment upon storage. Stir
thoroughly before use.

Shelf life

Vitexol K can be kept in the original sealed containers at temperatures

between 5 and 30 C for at least 24 months. Once containers have been
opened, the contents should be used up quickly. Containers should be
closed tightly after use.

Properties
Density

Approx. 0.88 g/cm 3 at 20 C

Setting point

8 to +5 C
Product that has set must be thawed out and stirred thoroughly before
use.

Solubility

Vitexol K forms an emulsion when it is stirred into water.

Stock emulsions of Vitexol K are only stable for a short time.

pH

6 8 at 20 C (10 g/l in water)

Action
Vitexol K is used as a foam inhibitor especially in the dyeing of knitted and
woven fabrics composed of cellulosic fibres and cellulosic-fibre blends
with vat, reactive and direct dyes. It also prevents foam formation in the
dyeing of wool and polyamide fibres with acid and metal-complex dyes.
We do not recommend its use in dyebaths containing disperse dyes. Since
Vitexol K, unlike silicone antifoams, is not as effective at eliminating foam
that has already formed, it must be added to the dye liquor at the start.
Vitexol K prevents soiling of dyeing machines and other equipment even
when dark vat dyeings are being produced.

Application
Preparation of the emulsion

Emulsify the required amount of Vitexol K by stirring it vigorously into 10

times the amount of cold water, and then immediately add it to the dyebath. The emulsion must never be allowed to come into contact with
concentrated alkalis. Instead, dilute the emulsion and the alkali by adding
them successively to the dyebath.

Application concentration

In jet-dyeing machines use

0.5 1.5 g/l Vitexol K.
The shorter the liquor ratio, the larger the amount of antifoam required.

Dyeing with vat dyes

Add the Vitexol K emulsion to the dyebath immediately before the hydrosulfite. This also applies to dyeing polyester-cotton blends when the
cotton is being dyed in the blend with vat dyes.
Vitexol K then prevents foam formation throughout the dyeing step.
When Vitexol is used in dyeing by the pigmentation process, 0.5 1 g/l
Setamol WS should also be added.

Dyeing with reactive dyes

Add the emulsified Vitexol K to the dyebath before the alkali.

Safety
When using this product, the information and advice given in our Safety
Data Sheet should be observed. Due attention should also be given to
the precautions necessary for handling chemicals.

Note
The information submitted in this publication is based on our current
knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect
processing and application, these data do not relieve processors of the
responsibility of carrying out their own tests and experiments; neither do
they imply any legally binding assurance of certain properties or of suitability for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of those to whom we
supply our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws
and legislation are observed.

Printed in Germany

BASF South East Asia Pte. Ltd.

Regional Marketing Asia, LSC
7 Temasek Boulevard, 35-01 Suntec Tower One
Singapore 038987

Phone: +65 3 37 34 00
Fax:
+65 3 34 03 30
E-Mail: info.textile-chemicals@basf-sea.com.sg

BASF Corporation
Regional Marketing North America, NLE/T
Coatings & Colorants Division
4330 Chesapeake Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216 USA

Phone: +1 7 04 3 92 43 13
Fax:
+1 7 04 3 93 36 49
E-Mail: info.textile-chemicals@basf.com

BASF S.A.
Marketing Regional Amrica-do-Sul, LBD/F
Estrada Samuel Aizemberg 1707
09851-550 So Bernardo do Campo, So Paulo Brasil

Phone: +55 11 7 51 22 33
Fax:
+55 11 7 51 69 89
E-Mail: info.textile-chemicals@basf-sa.com.br

BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Regionales Marketing Europa, LMF/H
67056 Ludwigshafen Deutschland

Phone: +49 6 21 60 9 34 88
Fax:
+49 6 21 60 9 33 14
E-Mail: info.textile-chemicals@basf-ag.de

BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Regionales Marketing Osteuropa, Afrika/Westasien, LRM/F
67056 Ludwigshafen Deutschland

Phone: +49 6 21 60 4 45 77
Fax:
+49 6 21 60 4 46 18
E-Mail: info.textile-chemicals@basf-ag.de

BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Marketing World, Textile Chemicals, EF/H
67056 Ludwigshafen Germany

Phone: +49 6 21 60 4 22 65
Fax:
+49 6 21 60 9 38 06
E-Mail: info.textile-chemicals-world@basf-ag.de

Colorants and Finishing Products