Steamers and Fixation Chambers
topic
Continuous steamer fixation chambers maintain saturated steam atmospheres at 100 to 102 degrees Celsius and 95 to 100 percent relative humidity while fabric traverses the chamber on J-box or festoon arrangements providing 60 to 180 seconds dwelling time for reactive dye fixation on cellulosics, with high-temperature steamers operating at 102 to 108 degrees Celsius providing accelerated fixation for reactive dyes on cotton-polyester blend fabrics.
Role
Provides the controlled time and temperature conditions for reactive dye covalent bond formation with cellulosic fibres in continuous dyeing that determines fixation efficiency and wash fastness of the dyed fabric, with steam atmosphere saturation level and temperature being the critical fixation parameters governing dye fixation yield that determines both colour depth and the level of unfixed dye requiring removal in subsequent washing operations.