Acid dyeing properties of meta-aramid fiber pretreated with PEO45-MeDMA derived from [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride

A diblock copolymer (PEO45-MeDMA) derived from [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (MeDMA) was synthesized and applied to the dyeing of the meta-aramid fibers with some acid dyes. This copolymer created positive charges on meta-aramid fiber surface and a strong attraction with anionic groups of acid dyes. Meta-aramid fabric was pretreated using the synthesized copolymer and then dyed with two commercial acid dyes. The dyeability was found to be directly dependent on the concentration of PEO45-MeDMA, pH in the dyebath as well as dye concentration. The color fastness of the copolymer pretreated dyed fabric was also evaluated.