UV-absorbers in the dyeing of polyester with disperse dyes

The effect of the benzotriazole type UV-absorbers Tinuvin P and Tinuvin 327 and 2,4-dihydroxy benzophenone in the dyeing of polyester fibres with Viosperse Blue RFS, an azodye of low light fastness at various depths of dyeing and UV-absorber amounts was studied using different application procedures. The dye and UV-absorber uptake and the light and sublimation fastness of the dyed samples were determined and compared to those obtained for the corresponding samples dyed in absence of a UV-absorber. The effectiveness of 2-(2-hydroxy-5-carboxy-phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole in improving the light fastness of polyester fibres dyed with C.I. Disperse Blue 77, Red 86, Yellow 42 and Viosperse Red BS was also studied and compared to that of the above commercial benzotriazole type UV-absorbers. The latter was applied to the fibre in various molar ratios to the dye using two different application procedures: directly in the dyebath and by after treatment of the dyed fabrics. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.