Abstract
Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)(PTT) fiber was pretreated with organic solvent/water solution of various compositions. The organic solvents used in this experiment were benzyl alcohol, n-buthanol, and N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF). Density of the fibers were investigated as a measure of crystallite region. The dye uptake increased in the order of pretreatment with hot water < untreated < 5% benzyl alcohol < 100% benzyl alcohol < 90% benzyl alcohol; hot water < untreated $\risingdotseq$ 5% butanol < 100% beutanol < 90% butanol; hot water $\risingdotseq$ 5% DMF < untreated < 90% DMF < 100% DMF. The dye uptake increases with increase of crystallinity. It seems likely that the recrystallization process during the pretreatment with organic solvent/water solutions leads to an increase in the microvoid and then a large increase in the dye uptake. Also the dyeing rate increased and the dyeing transition temperature decreased with the pretreatments. The results obtained are corresponds with the plasticization of the fiber structure formed during the pretreatrnent.
