The influence of FWA chemical constitution to the whiteness and UV protection of cotton and cotton/polyester blend

Abstract

It is well known that the optimal concentration of fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) in the bath results in high whiteness of single component textiles. At the same time, due to fluorescence of FWA, the higher UV protection is achieved as well. However, for the textile blends it is not so easy to achieve. Depending on the fabric chemical composition, different FWAs must be applied. Therefore, the influence of FWA chemical constitution to the whiteness and UV protection of cotton and cotton/polyester blend were researched in this paper. For that purpose, cotton and cotton/polyester blended (50%/50%) fabrics was treated with four different FWAs by Huntsman, Uvitex® brand: BHT, RSB, NFW and EBF. Spectral remission before and after FWA treatment was measured on a remission spectrophotometer Spectraflash SF 300, Datacolor. Whiteness degree was calculated according to ISO 105-J02:1997, and the Tint Deviations and its coloristic meanings were determined according to Griesser. The UV protection of cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics treated with FWA was determined according to AS/NZS 4399:2017 using transmission spectrophotometer Cary 50/Solascreen, Varian. Based on the results obtained,the stilbene disulphonic acid triazine derivative (Uvitex® RSB) can be recommended for use on a cotton/polyester blend.