The influence of pH adjusted with different acids on the dyeability of polyester fabric

The influence of using formic, oxalic, citric, tartaric, hydrochloric, nitric, sulphuric and phosphoric acid for dyebath pH adjustment was investigated upon the dyeing of polyester fabric with CI Disperse Yellow 60. The positions of colour in CIELab coordinates of the samples dyed with the addition of tested acids were assessed and compared to those dyed with the addition of acetic acid. It was found that the differences in dyeabilities obtained with the addition of citric, oxalic, hydrochloric, nitric and sulphuric acid are entirely acceptable according to both M&S 83A and CMC (2:1) standards in comparison to the dyeability obtained with the addition of acetic acid.