Color Loss from Dye Defects Research

Defects in the dye inherent in manufacturing can come from a failure of the dye to attach to the fiber. Such problems can occur on nylon that has been dyed with basic or cationic dyes. The white yarns below were soaked for four days in an alkaline detergent designed for carpet cleaning. The result revealed a total color loss.

Sometimes color loss with cationic dyes can be associated with possible defects in the nylon. Such carpet will show a greater loss of color in acids than in alkalizes. Also, their pHs will read in the fours and fives even when cleaned with strong alkalizes. Below, on the left is a photograph of cationic-dyed-nylon in a flask of alkaline solution  and acid detergent on the right. Note the acid solution is much darker.

This is the comparison of the samples after they were removed from the flask. The alkaline sample is on the left; and acid one on the right.The original color is in the background.

Note that the alkaline sample is blue, thus  red and yellow dyes were lost. The one soaked in acid lost everything.

This is the comparison of the samples after they were removed from the flask. The alkaline sample is on the left; and acid one on the right.The original color is in the background.

Note that the alkaline sample is blue, thus  red and yellow dyes were lost. The one soaked in acid lost everything.