How Is Mordant Dye Applied To A Fabric?
The term mordant dye itself implies that these dyes require a mordant. A mordant improves the fastness of the dye on the fibre. Fastness of the dye on the fabric could be due to the exposure to light, water and perspiration. The choice of mordant is a crucial decision to be taken. Mordant dyes have to be applied differently to different fabrics as different mordant dyes can have a significant and different impact on the final colour of the fabric. Most natural dyes (dyes that are sourced from animals and plants) are mordant dyes. Therefore, there are large volumes of literature available which deal with the techniques and processes involved in mordant-based. Synthetic mordant dyes or chrome dyes are the preferred mordant for woollen fabrics. About 30 per cent of the mordant dyes are used for woollen fabrics and are especially useful for black and navy shades. The mordant used is potassium dichromate. It is applied to the fabric as an after-treatment.
