Colorimetric Analysis and Fastness Properties of Jute Fabric Dyed with Eucalyptus Leaves

Natural dyestuff has reverted its position in the colouration of textile substrates due to rising concerns of consumers and buyers, particularly about environmental impacts and health issues. Eucalyptus leaves were selected in this study as a source of natural dye along with some of the most generally used mordants to observe the impact of dyeing on jute fabric while trying to keep the dyeing parameters at a minimum level. Dyes were extracted from eucalyptus leaves by boiling in water. Then, the fabric was pre-mordanted using different synthetic mordanting agents, such as alum, potassium dichromate, copper sulphate and ferrous sulphate, which are generally used to substantively enhance the dyestuff on textile fabrics and to improve the fastness properties. Synthetic mordant was used here instead of natural mordant due to the better dyeing compatibility of jute fabric with eucalyptus leaves, since natural mordant has little effect on jute fabric during the process of dyeing. Another aim of this research is to curb the time and energy consumption of the jute dyeing process and so the dyeing is carried out at 75 °C for about 30 minutes. Various types of evaluations were conducted through visual assessment, checking the colour-coordinate values and colour strength values. While colour fastness properties were evaluated by different fastness testing, such as colour fastness to water, washing, rubbing and perspiration. This dyeing process yields a colour range from yellowish to brown with the variation of mordants applied on the fabric. In addition to that, colour co-ordinate and colour strength values ensure better results of dyed fabrics pretreated with ferrous sulphate. Jute fabric dyed with only extracted eucalyptus solution provided satisfactory results in all colour fastness tests, while fabric treated with different mordants showed variations in fastness ratings, and fabric treated with ferrous sulphate and copper sulphate had slightly better fastness ratings.