The dyeing of silk Part 1: Low temperature application of solubilised sulphur dyes using sodium thioglycolate

Four C.I. Solubilised Sulphur dyes were applied to cultivated silk fabric using sodium thioglycolate at pH 7, for 30 min at 60 °C in the absence of electrolyte. Medium/deep shades were obtained that displayed good/excellent fastness to washing at 40 °C and little or no sensitivity to oxygen bleach fading. The dry rub fastness of the dyeings ranged from moderate to good whilst the wet rub fastness varied from poor to moderate; light fastness of the 10% omf dyeings varied from low to moderate. The mild application conditions used had little effect on the tensile strength of the fabric.