Study on structure and properties of natural indigo spun-dyed viscose fiber

Abstract

Abstract To improve the level dyeing property and colorfastness of natural pigment-dyed cellulose fiber, a study on the structure and properties of natural indigo spun-dyed viscose fiber was carried out systematically. Herein, the natural pigment-dyed cellulose fiber was prepared by wet-spinning technique, and the microstructure of the colored fiber was comprehensively studied. Fabrics with different color depths were obtained by adjusting the color value and the content of indigo pigment. The natural indigo was evenly embedded in the viscose fiber, and the results indicated the existence of a direct ratio relationship between the performance of natural indigo and the color depth of the fiber. The level dyeing property and colorfastness of the fabric were tested. The fabric exhibited excellent dyeing uniformity, as indicated by the relative standard deviation of the surface color depth value on the fabric, which was no more than 2.39%. The colorfastness of natural indigo spun-dyed fiber was outstanding even when mordant was not used in the production process. The colorfastness to artificial light could reach grade 5, the fastness to washing with detergent reached grade 3–4, the fastness to rubbing reached grade 4–5, and that to high temperature reached grade 4–5. These results can possibly promote the future use of natural dyes in the fiber produced by a spun-dyeing technique.