Annals of The University of Oradea, Fascicle of Textiles-Leatherwork, cilt.18, sa.2, ss.75-80, 2017 (Hakemli Dergi)
Abstract: If a high level of whiteness is required for wool and wool blends, it is normal to carry out a
combined oxidative/reductive bleaching treatments. A higher whiteness can be achieved by the use of optical
whitening agents. The aim of this experimental work was to whiten 50/50% PES/Wo woven fabrics. 50/50%
PES/Wool fabrics were first bleached in acidic conditions by hydrogen peroxide, and then, the reduction
washing processes were carried out by sodium hydrosulphite (Merck), thiourea dioxide (Merck) or sodium
borohydride (DyStar). The optical whitening agents, Hostalux ETB Liq. and Leucophor BSB Liq. were later
applied at four different concentrations either in a single bath or in two separate baths to the fabrics treated
with one of these three chemicals. The processes were repeated twice to check the repeatability of the results.
The optical whitening processes were carried out in a laboratory type HT machine (Roaches). The colour
measurements were carried out by Datacolor SF600+ spectrophotometer. The Whiteness Indexes of the
optically whitened samples were evaluated in accordance with CIE Whiteness Index. The optical whitening
agent used for wool gave better results, and also the best results were obtained in single-bath treatments. The
best whiteness value was obtained with hydrogen peroxide bleached and washed with sodium hydrosulphide
samples which were later optically whitened with 0.8% Hostalux ETB Liq. and 2% Leucophor BSB Liq. at
95°C treatment.