Effect of Mordant Type on Thermal Stability and Fastness Properties of Silk Fabric Dyed with Natural Dye "Sambucus Nigra" Available to Purchase

Natural dye (Sambucus nigra, whose common name is elder) is used to dye silk fabric. The dyed fabric samples have been post mordanted with three different mordants, including alum; ferrous and chrome. A thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning colorimetry (DSC) of all the samples are used to investigate the thermal stability of the dyed mordanted silk fabrics. The TGA provides the changes in the sample weight loss as a function of time and temperature. The DSC gives information about the possible changes in the fiber structure. In addition, the DSC is a method commonly used to determine crystallinity in polymers and involves measuring the melting enthalpy. The TGA tested results for silk samples mordanted with ferrous has the highest thermal stability. The endothermic peak at 318°C shifts to a lower or higher temperature than in the case of blank samples according to the type of mordant used. Fastness to light, washing and perspiration of the examined silk fabrics have also been examined and the results are reported.