LAB EXPERIMENT 07

BLEACHING
Student Name: ___________________________________
____________________
Signature of the lab tutor________________________
_____________________

ID No.
Date:

Bleaching of 100%cotton fabric by continuous method

PERFORMANCE/OBJECTIVES
Upon the successful completion of this experiment students will be able to:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Understand the bleaching process

Understand role of auxiliaries used in this process
Understand the continuous bleaching process

MACHINES/MATERIAL REQUIRED
Scoured fabric
Pad-steam machine
CHEMICAL REQUIRED

Hydrogen per Oxide

Caustic Soda
Stabilizer
Wetting Agent
Sequestering Agent

THEORY:
During the scouring of cotton impurities like fats, wax, proteins, pectins and ash is removed.
However, scouring does not remove natural color of cotton. It also does not completely
remove seed and husk. To remove natural color of the cotton and seed fragment bleaching
process follows the scouring. Sometimes both scouring and bleaching are simultaneously
carried out; the process is called solamatic bleaching.
Cotton contain natural pigments called chlorophylls and xanthophylls, which cause its color to
be yellowish. In the process of bleaching these pigments are removed from the cotton fiber.
Along with these pigments seed fragments are also removed. Thus bleaching accomplishes
purification of the fiber.

1.

Hydrogen per Oxide (H202):

Hydrogen per Oxide is comparatively expensive bleaching agent. But , beacause of
ease of application, least threat for the substrate and environment friendly nature, it
is widely used for the removal of natural pigments.
Sodium hypo-chlorite (NaOCl):
If the pH is not controlled during NaOCl bleaching, it will degrade cellulose; because
of the formation of the hypo-chlorous acid at neutral pH (7) and liberation of chlorine
gas at pH lower than 7. However, under controlled condition, it may be suitable
option.
Sodium chlorite (NaClO2):
Sodium chlorite when used as bleaching agent produces chlorine dioxide (event at
controlled process), which is extremely toxic. At the same time, it is extremely
corrosive to the machinery because of this it is least preferred bleaching agent.

2.

3.

Depending on the extent of bleaching, fabric may be said to be half bleached or full bleached.
In the half bleached fabric, some of the natural pigments are removed and fabric yet contains
chlorophyll and xanthophlls. However in case of full bleached fabric, almost all natural
pigments are removed. The removal of the natural color of the cotton, its whiteness is
increased. A normal bleached fabric may achieve whiteness index of about 60 to 75 or
sometimes 80.
Typical Recipe
Chemical

Quantity

Liquor Ratio
Hydrogen per Oxide (35%)
Caustic soda (solid)
Sandoclean PC-LF (paste)
Stabilizer SIFA (liquid)
MgCl2

PROCEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Prepare the bath according to recipe.

Pad the fabric at 80% pick up.
Steam ( saturated) the fabric for 20-30 min: at 102C.
Hot rinse at 80C-90C for 10 min:
Warm rinse at 60C for 10 min: and finally cold rinse for 5 minutes.

Calculations
S.N
O
1

Fabric Weight

Total Liquor

Hydrogen per Oxide

Caustic Soda

Stabilizer

MgCl2

Sandoclean PC-LF (paste)

TEST REULTS

Material

Quantity

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is role of MgCl2 in H2O2 bleaching?

2. What are the advantages of continuous bleaching over exhaust bleaching process?

3. What are reasons of foaming and how it can be avoided?

FINAL CHECK LEST

1. Clean your machinery equipment/ material and workbench before you leave.
2. Ensure the replacement of all equipments to their specified storage area.
3. Submit your answer to questions together with your data, calculation and results
before the next laboratory/ equipment.