A new approach to improve dyeability of nylon 6 fibre using a subtilisin enzyme

This study confirms the structural changes of nylon 6 fibres using protease by measuring the dyeability, hydrophilicity, chemical changes and fastness properties. For this purpose, nylon 6 fabrics were first treated with different concentrations of protease enzyme in aqueous solutions. The dyeing process was then carried out on the treated fabrics with disperse and acid dyes. Acid and disperse dyes showed higher exhaustion on the enzyme-treated samples. The results of colour measurement in the CIELAB system showed that the darkness of the samples increased with an increase in the enzyme percentage in the solution. The results of moisture regain showed that treatment of nylon fabrics with a proteolytic enzyme caused an increase in moisture absorbency. The wash and light fastness properties of samples were measured according to ISO 105-C05 and daylight ISO 105-B01 and are discussed.