Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Eco consciousness towards the natural sources increases the demand for natural dyeing of unconventional fibre. The main aim of the present study was dyeing of Himalayans nettle fibre with natural dye. i.e., black cutch dye (a by-product ofkatthafactory). Different dyeing parameters such as dye concentration, dyeing time, dyeing temperature and MLR were optimized. Mordanting process was also carried out to improve the colour fastness of the dyed samples. One natural mordant i.e. myrobalan and two synthetic mordants namely; alum and ferrous sulphate were used for mordanting. All the mordanting parameters such as mordanting concentration, mordanting time, mordanting MLR were optimized for all three mordanting methods. Optimum results in terms of percent absorption were achieved, when nettle fibres were dyed with 6% concentration of dye for 60 minutes at 900C keeping MLR ratio was 1:40. Colourfastness was found to be improved with the use of mordants. Black cutch dye gave good results in term of colour strength, LAB values and other fastness properties. Dyeing of nettle fibres with by-product ofkatthaindustry would be helpful in value addition of Himalayan nettle fibre for further product diversification.