Effect of Modifiers on the Strength and Colour Fastness of Jute and Mesta Fibres

Md. Ibrahim H. Mondal

Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi- 6205 (Bangladesh)

The effect of modifiers, such as, cobalt sulphate, aluminium sulphate and xylene-acetic anhydride-sulphanilic acid, on the breaking strength and colour fastness of jute and mesta fibres were examined. The breaking strength loss of modified and modified jute fibres dyed with Mordant Black 11 and Mordant Red 11 increases with the increase of sunlight exposure period and water immersion time. UV of sunlight and bacterial action in water medium are the cause of deterioration as well as the loss in breaking strength of jute fibre. Cobalt sulphate used as a modifier is better and has some positive impact on strength gain. The colour fastness of modified and modified dyed jute fibres on exposure to sunlight in air for 200 h is good enough after that it is not acceptable. On immersion in tap water, the colour of modified dyed fibre changes to black dominant colour. The former is occured by the photo-oxidation process of lignin and dye itself and the latter is due to the presence of iron salt in water. The similar effect of breaking strength and colour fastness are observed in case of mesta fibre. Mesta fibre and its derivatives lose strength of 3-10% higher than the corresponding jute fibre and its derivatives.

Modifiers; jute; mesta fibres; mordant