The Dyeing Properties of Chlorinated Wool I–Qualitative Experiments using Wool chlorinated at Various pH Values1

A preliminary qualitative investigation has been carried out into the dyeing properties of wool treated in solutions of sodium hypochlorite at various pH values. It has been confirmed that, when using selected equalising acid, neutral–dyeing acid, direct cotton, and chrome dyes, wool treated in acid solutions of hypochlorite absorbs more dye than untreated wool when samples of both are dyed togethor in the same solution, whereas when treated under neutral or alkaline conditions it absorbs less dye and a resist effect is obtained. Treatment in hypochlorite solutions at certain intermediate pH values yields material with dyeing properties similar to untreated wool. Using basic dyes, the chlorinated wool absorbs more dye than the unchlorinated material irrespective of the pH at which the treatment is carried out.