Investigation of the usage of different thickening agents in ink-jet printing with reactive dyes

Abstract

In general sodium alginate is used as a thickener in the pretreatment paste in ink-jet printing with reactive dyes. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of different types of thickeners as a replacement for sodium alginate in the pretreatment paste in digital ink-jet printing of cotton fabrics and the possibilities of achieving higher color yields, better sharpness properties, better fastness properties, and more ecological processes (with the decrease of urea requirements). For this purpose experiments with three types of thickener (sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyacrylic acid derivate) were carried out. The results showed that sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can be used properly in the pretreatment paste for reactive ink-jet printing.