DIRECT DYES

INTRODUCTION
Direct dyes are defined as anionic dyes with substantivity for cellulosic fibers, normally applied from an aqueous dye bath containing an electrolyte. Their most attractive feature is the essential simplicity of the dyeing process, but a separate after treatment to enhance wet fastness has been necessary for most direct dyeing. The standard of wet fastness, particularly to washing, of direct dyeing, even when given a conventional cationic after treatment, does not meet the more demanding end uses in cellulosic apparel and furnishing materials. Consequently, direct dyes have been replaced to a great extent by reactive dyes, which have better wet fastness and exceptional brightness in many hues. Nevertheless, there are still many applications in the textile industry for goods dyed with direct dyes, particularly where a high standard of wet fastness is not required. Resin finishing after dyeing produces a notable improvement in wet fastness. Direct dyes are used in low-priced viscose or blended curtain fabrics, furnishings and carpets, where good light fastness and moderate fastness to washing are usually adequate. Cheap cotton dressing gowns and bedspreads that may be washed infrequently, viscose ribbons and linings, as well as dischargeable ground shades for low quality prints are often dyed with direct dyes.

Direct dyes were classified accordingly as follows:

(1) Class A dyes that are self-leveling, i.e. dyes of good migration or leveling properties. (2) Class B dyes that are not self-leveling, but which can be controlled by addition of salt to give level results; they are described as salt-controllable. (3) Class C dyes that are not self-leveling and which are highly sensitive to salt, the exhaustion of these dyes cannot adequately be controlled by addition of salt alone and they require additional control by temperature; they are described as temperature-controllable.

AFTER-TREATMENT PROCESSES FOR DIRECT DYEINGS

The wet fastness properties (particularly washing, water and perspiration) of virtually all dyeing of direct dyes are inadequate for many end uses but notable improvements can be brought about by after treatments. All such treatments, however, incur increased processing costs because of the extra time, energy, labor and chemicals involved. Diazotization and development. Metal salt treatments Cationic fixing agents Formaldehyde treatment Cross linking agents and resin treatments.

DIAZOTIZATION Certain direct dyes have a structure similar to the base of azoic dyes. This enables these dyes to be treated with naphthols as in the case of azoic dyes. These increase the size of dye molecule within the polymer system of the cellulose fibre and improve the dyes wash fastness from poor to good.

METAL SALT TREATMENT When certain dyes are treated with copper sulphate a chemical reaction results in which copper forms a metal complex with the dye molecule.the metal complex is slightly larger in size than the original dye molecule and results in a slight improvement in wash fastness. CATIONIC FIXING AGENT Wash fastness can be improved with treatment of high molecular weight cationic surfactant having a bulky hydrophobic chain.the cationic component makes the absorbed dye less accessible to the water. FORMALDEHYDE TREATMENT Certain direct dyes will react with formaldehyde when heated to about 7080o C under slightly acidic condition.dye molecules appear to be joined together by methylene cross-links, giving very large dye molecule complex which are much more difficult to wash out of the fibre.