Investigation of the dyeing properties of wool fabrics with Alkanna tinctoria root extract

In this work, dyeing properties of wool samples with Alkanna tinctorum root extract was investigated. For this purpose, two different dyestuff extracts, red and blue are gained from its roots with acetone and ethanol solvents, as well. Wool fabrics (194 pieces) dyed with AIK(SO4)·12H2O, FeSO4·7H2O, CuSO4·5H2O, AgNO3 and CoCI2·6H2O mordants at pH 2, 4, 6 and 8, respectively. Unmordanting, pre-mordanting, meta-mordanting, and post-mordanting methods were used for the dyeing experiments. In addition, wool fabrics were pretreated with artificial animal urine system (AAUS) including NH3 (3%, v/v), CaC2O4 (3%, m/v) and urea (3%, m/v) before dyeing processes in order to see the improvement in the fastness properties of the dyed samples with meta-mordanting method. The color codes were determined with Pantone Color Guide, and also washing-, rubbing fastness levels were evaluated using gray scale. According to the evaluations, it is observed that AAUS mordant system helps to improve the light fastness values in general. Good results were obtained both for the dyeings with red and blue components, as well. Optimum dyeing parameters were also evaluated for wool fabric in terms of usage in textile industry.