Dyebath Reuse in Dyeing of Nylon Microfiber Non-woven Fabric with 1:2 Metal Complex Dyes

Dyebath used for metal complex dyeing of nylon microfiber was recycled to reduce the overall amounts of metal complex dyeing effluents. Instead of discharging the dyebath after each dyeing cycle, the residual dyebath was analyzed spectrophotometrically and reconstituted to the required concentration of dyes and auxiliaries. Dyebaths were reused eight times and the CIELAB coordinates of dyed samples were measured after each recycling. Color difference($\Delta$E*) between the sample dyed in the fresh bath and that from reused dyebath was maintained below 1.5. The levelness and fastness of dyed fabrics from recycled dyebath were not impaired either. Chromium content of each recycled dyebath was similar to that of the first residual dyebath.