Important Objectives, Effects, and Methods Of Scouring

Scouring Process

Scouring is the pretreatment process of wet processing technology. It is the first stage of pre-treatment, consequently. Before dying or printing textile materials, natural fibers must pass the scouring process. The scouring process bears great importance in wet processing, undoubtedly.

What is Scouring?

Scouring is the process by which natural (oil, wax, gum, fat, etc.) as well as added (during the fabrication process) impurities wash out as completely as possible. The especially hydrophobic character which is present in the fiber of fabric removes by this process.

Objectives of Scouring

The scouring process is a pre-treatment for textile fibers and fabrics. Scoured textile materials are suitable for the dyeing and printing processes. The scouring process has some important objectives. The objectives of the scouring process are as follows:

• Firstly, the main purpose of scouring is to remove impurities from the textile materials.
• Secondly, the textile materials are left in a highly absorptive condition without undergoing any significant chemical or physical damage.
• Above all, after the scouring process, materials become suitable for the next bleaching process.

Effects of Scouring

The following changes occurred during the scouring process:

• Firstly, saponifiable oils and free fatty acids convert into soaps.
• Secondly, pectose and pectin change into soluble salts of pectic acid.
• Thirdly, proteins hydrolyze into soluble degradation products.
• Then, mineral matter dissolves in the water.
• After all, unsaponifiable oils and waxes are emulsified by the soaps formed from saponification.
• Lastly, dust particles are removed and held in suspension.

In the above, I have written about the saponification process. So, saponification is the reaction by which the insoluble and water-immiscible materials convert into water-soluble products. The reaction is as follows:

Oil + Caustic soda + Water = Soap + glycerin

Methods of Scouring

The scouring process performs in the following two ways. They are:

1. Continuous process: In this process, scouring of the fabric is done continuously in a J-Box.  In this machine, the pretreatment and dyeing processes continuously perform for the next process. Although, this type of application applies in a very limited way.
2. Discontinuous process: This type of process is also called batch processing. Here, scouring is done discontinuously in the Kier Boiler, Jigger, or Winch Dyeing Machine. By the same token, a different batch or lot is created before the dyeing process.

In the dyeing machine, different controlling parameters are controlled strictly. I would like to give a sample recipe for the scoring process of cotton in the Kier boiler.

Scouring Process Recipe

The following are the common scouring process recipes:

• Caustic Soda = 0.5 to 3% on the weight of fabric (owf)
• Sodium-bi-Carbonate = 0.5 to 1% owf
• Wetting Agent = 0.5 to 1% owf
• Materials: Liquor = 1: 6/8/10/12 (as required)
• Temperature = 100 to 140 degree Celsius
• Pressure = 10 to 30 PSI
• Time = 60 to 90 minutes
• Material forms = Rope or Open width

Scouring is generally done for natural fiber. Better dyeing or printing performance depends on better scouring of the materials. Otherwise, different types of dyeing or printing faults are appearing on the face of the fabric. So, it needs to take care of the scouring process. It also depends on the shade of the fabric. Generally, it is important for light-shade dyeing.

Lastly, the Scouring agent is supplied by different textile chemical manufacturing companies. Before using, the scouring agent one should ensure the properties of the scouring agent.

Additionally, scouring is a part of pre-treatment for the production unit. The management should ensure compliance and workplace safety issues. Moreover, the producer can practice 5S, Kaizen, TQM, and TPM for improving the working environment and increasing the profit margin.