Improving reactive ink jet printing via cationization of cellulosic linen fabric.

Cellulose linen fabric samples subjected to cationization using different cationizing agents: dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), tetra methyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH), and Quat-188, via pad batch technique, followed by ink jet printing with reactive dyes. The %N as well as the K/S of the cationized samples was found to be depends on: (a) the nature of the cationizing agent and (b) on the time of batching. As the latter increases both of the nitrogen content and K/S increases to a maximum depending on the nature of the reagent used. Further increase in the batching time up to 30 h is accompanied by a decrease in both the %N and K/S irrespective of the nature of the cationizing agent used. Cationization improves the printability of reactive dye ink jet printed linen fabrics with no remarkable effect on the overall color fastness properties.