Mordants are substances used in dyeing fabrics to create a strong bond between the dye and substrate. True mordants are metallic with a valence of two or more, while trapping agents inhibit dye removal. Mordants can be applied before, during, or after dyeing.
A mordant is a substance used in dyeing fabrics and textiles that allows the dye to adhere to the substrate. Clothing and fabric swatches can be dyed without a stain and the dye can appear quite vivid. However, if the garment or fabric is exposed to water, the dye will wash off. Mordants work by creating a coordination complex, or metallic bond, with the dyestuff. Many substances are called mordants and perform the same role, but aren’t technically mordants; true mordants are metal molecules with a valence of two or more, and most commonly three.
When a piece of fabric or a sample of fabric is dyed, it is treated with a dye substance. This substance is capable of changing the color of fabric or fabric, making the fabric more attractive to wear and the fabric easier to see under a microscope. While the dye will stick firmly to the fabric or fabric, water is able to rinse the dye out quickly, making it temporary.
Mordants are used to ensure the permanence of a dye. A mordant is a substance that is used in conjunction with dye to chemically bond the dye to the surface. This is done through a coordination complex. In a coordination complex, the metal atoms in the mordant bond with nearby dye, creating a strong bond that water can’t easily disintegrate.
There are three ways to apply a mordant. In pre-etching, the substrate meets the mordant and is subsequently dyed. Meta-etching combines mordants and dyes, so both are mixed together in the same dye bath. Post-etching is the process of introducing the stain after the substrate has been dyed.
Many substances used during the dyeing process are called mordants but are not really mordants. These are trapping agents, which inhibit the removal of the dye, while mordants are able to stop the removal completely. Trapping agents are often non-metallic and can be used with a wider variety of dyes.
True mordants must be metallic. The metal’s valence, or ability to make chemical bonds, must be two or more. Commonly, metals such as iron and aluminum are used as mordants, and both of these metals have a valence of three. The metal is needed to create the strong bond between the mordant and the dye because otherwise, the coordination complex cannot be completed.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
