Abstract: A new method of stripping for cotton fabric dyed with reactive dye was explored by employing an UV/Na₂S₂O₄ system with dip padding, utilizing UV light as a trigger for the decomposition of the reductant of Na₂S₂O₄. The stripping parameters such as the pH value of working solution, the dosage of the Na₂S₂O₄, the pick-up of working solution on substrate and stripping duration, as well as their influences on the stripping efficiency, tensile strength reservation of cotton fabric were investigated according to the single factor experiment method. Moreover, the effects of the stripping treatments on the morphology of cotton fibers were also observed analyzed by SEM. The results show that after being padded with the working solution containing the reductant of Na₂S₂O₄, cotton fabric dyed with reactive dye could be stripped efficiently at low temperature by the triggering and catalyzing of UV light.

Key words: UV/Na₂S₂O₄ system; cotton fabric; stripping; reactive dye; dip padding