Versatile levelling agent in the dyeing of wool, polyamide fibres and blends of wool with polyamide or polyester fibres in all processing forms. It is particularly suitable in conjunction with 1 : 2 metal-complex dyes that contain sulfonic acid groups. Uniperol SE has a very good leveling action, even with wool qualities that tend to give microunlevel (skittery) dyeings.
Technical Information
TI/T 7148 e December 2002 (RV)
Supersedes TI/T 5906 e of February 1988
® = Registered trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Uniperol
SE
Uniperol SE
Nature Amphoteric mixture of ethoxylation products.
Physical form Pale brown, viscous, pourable liquid.
Shelf life When stored properly in sealed containers, Uniperol SE can be kept for 24 months.
Properties
Solubility Uniperol SE is dissolved by pouring hot water over the product and stirring. 10 –15 % stock solutions have a very long shelf life. The dissolved Uniperol SE is best added to the dyebath before the dye.
pH 8.5 – 9.5 (10 g/l in water)
Density Approx. 1.06 g/cm3
Stability Stable to hard water, acids, alkalis and metal salts. Compatible with nonionic, cationic and anionic auxiliaries.
Action Uniperol SE
– promotes level dyeing with acid, milling, reactive, metal-complex and chrome dyes on wool and polyamide fibres, and on their blends with other fibres
– has affinity for both the dye and the fibre – promotes penetration and migration of the dye – counters skittery dyeing
– particularly improves the levelness of the dyeing, the depth of shade and the synchronous exhaustion of 1 : 2 metal-complex dyes with
sulfonic acid groups (e. g. Isolan®12S types)
– has a moderate wetting and detergent action
1Isolan = registered trademark of Dystar Textilfarben GmbH & Co. Deutschland KG
Application
Dyeing with 1 : 2 metal-complex dyes containing sulfonic acid groups
Wool In the dyeing of wool with 1 : 2 metal-complex dyes containing sulfonic
acid groups, Uniperol SE has proved extremely successful as a levelling agent and as an auxiliary for preventing skittery dyeings. It generally also has a shade-deepening effect.
Loose stock or slubbing:
Add the products in the following order! 5 % ammonium sulfate, pH 5 (acetic acid) 1% Uniperol SE
...% dye
Yarn or piece-goods:
Recipe as above, but pH 6 – 7
The Isolan 2S Black dyes are applied to wool in all processing forms at pH 5 and with only 0.5 % Uniperol SE.
Polyamide fibres To dye PA fibres in the form of loose stock or slubbing with 1:2 metal-complex dyes containing sulfonic acid groups, 1% Uniperol SE should be applied at pH 4.5.
With rapid-dyeing polyamide fibres, the dye liquor should be set to a higher pH.
The Isolan 2S Black dyes are applied to polyamide fibres at pH 4 with 0.5 % Uniperol O Micropearl as dispersing agent.
Dyeing with 1 : 2 metal-complex dyes containing groups that impart limited water solubility (e. g. Isolan®1dyes)
Wool Uniperol SE is an efficient levelling agent for dyeing wool in pale to medium
shades with 1 : 2 metal-complex dyes containing groups that impart limited solubility in water. With this class of dyes, 0.5 –1% Uniperol SE is usually sufficient.
Dyeing is carried out at pH 5.5 – 6.5 with an addition of 3 – 5 % ammonium sulfate, ammonium acetate or sodium acetate.
Higher amounts of Uniperol SE may under certain circumstances have too strong a retarding effect. With dark shades it is therefore best to use Uniperol W (see Technical Information Bulletin TI/T 7154), which has a lower retarding action.
Polyamide fibres Polyamide fibres are dyed with 1% Uniperol SE at pH 7 – 8.
To achieve better exhaustion, dissolved ammonium sulfate can be added portionwise towards the end of the dyeing process.
Dyeing with combinations of 1 : 2 metal-complex and acid dyes Wool, polyamide fibres If wool or polyamide fibres are to be dyed in one bath with metal-complex
and acid dyes, the recipes given in the relevant pattern cards should be followed using 1% Uniperol SE.
1Isolan = registered trademark of Dystar Textilfarben GmbH & Co. Deutschland KG
Dyeing with 1 : 1 metal-complex dyes
Wool and polyamide fibres in all processing forms are dyed with 1 : 1 metal-complex dyes according to the following guideline recipes:
Wool 6 % sulfuric acid 96 %
1% Uniperol SE ...% dye
Polyamide fibres 2 % formic acid 85 %
1% Uniperol SE ...% dye
Dyeing with 1 : 2 metal-complex dyes that do not contain groups that impart water solubility
Polyamide fibres Dyeing is carried out at pH 7 – 8 with
1% Uniperol SE
Dyeing bleached, chlorinated wool
Dyeing at the boil To dye bleached, chlorinated wool in very pale shades (pastel or “baby” colours), somewhat higher amounts of Uniperol SE should be used. Level dyeings are obtained by employing
2 – 3 % Uniperol SE
with both 1 : 2 metal complex dyes and acid dyes.
It is essential to start dyeing at a very low temperature, between 20 °C and 30 °C.
Dyeing below the boil This procedure can be useful for dyeing very fine types of wool that tend to felt, and chlorinated, bleached wool. In the presence of ethoxylation products e. g. Uniperol SE or Uniperol AC, selected 1 : 1 metal-complex dyes and acid dyes give dyeings in pale to medium shades at 85 °C that have the same depth of shade and equally good fastness to rubbing and perspiration as dyeings produced at the boil.
Dyeing of Wo/PA fibre blends
Uniperol SE has also proved very satisfactory as a levelling agent in the dyeing of wool/polyamide fibre blends. The amount of auxiliary used depends on the dyeing method and the classes of dyes employed.
Dyeing of Wo/PES fibre blends
To dye wool/polyester fibre blends in one bath with special mixed dyes or selected disperse and wool dyes, add around
1 –1.5 % Uniperol SE
Safety
When using this product, the information and advice given in our Safety
Data Sheetshould be observed. Due attention should also be given to the precautionsnecessary for handling chemicals.
Note
The information submitted in this publication is based on our current knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect processing and application, these data do not relieve processors from the responsibility of carrying out their own tests and experiments; neither do they imply any legally binding assurance of certain properties or of suit-ability for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of those to whom we supply our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed.
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Performance Chemicals for Textiles 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany