Kurt Speckle

Dyeing of NOMEX

What is NOMEX

Nomex is an aromatic polyamide fibre

( Polymetaphenylene isophtalamide )

Aramid fibres belong to the class of high performance fibres

with very good solidity and stability to temperature

The main application fields are protective clothing for fire brigades,
service station staff, race drivers, military, technical textiles,
asbestos replacement
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12.04.2007

Aramid fibres trade products

NOMEX 455

NOMEX III

95 % Nomex
5 % Kevlar

NOMEX DELTA C

93 % Nomex
5 % Kevlar
2 % carbon-coated fibre

KEFLAR

Polyparaphenylene isophtalamide

TWARON

Polyparaphenylene isophtalamide

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100 % Nomex
Polymetaphenylene isophtalamide

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Production of NOMEX

by solution polycondensation

m-phenylene diamine is transformed with dimethyl acetamide and

with the dichloride of the isophthalic acid

Nomex is produced in the one-step-dry-spinning-procedure that

means polycondensation and spinning are done in one process

The spinning solution runs through multihole nozzles into the

spining chamber where DMAC is evaporated at 160 C; the
spinning speed is at approx. 200 m/min

The threads are stretched up to approx. 1:3, afterwashed in hot

water and dried

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Physical parameters of NOMEX

Density

1.38 g/cm3

Tearing fastness

4.4 5.3 cN/dtex

Elongation at break

15 30 %

Glass transition point

280 290 C

Decomposition temperature

370 C

Moisture absorption

4.5 5.0 %

Hot air shrinking

0.5 % ( 15 min at 190C )

Hot steam shrinking

1.5 % ( 95C in water )

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Properties of NOMEX

Nomex is not thermoplastic

Nomex is difficultly inflammable and does not support combustion

Nomex has an extraordinary thermostability, a permanent temperature

of 160 C does not cause any significant damaging

Nomex is stable to organic solvents

Nomex is decomposed by UV radiation; after exposure to direct

sunlight the tearing fastness decreases by approx. 50% per year

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Dyeing properties of NOMEX

Due to the compactness, the high crystallinity and the high glass
transition range the fibre is difficult to dye

The content of free COOH groups determines the maximal dye

absorption

Exclusively the dyeing with basic dyes BEZACRYL dyes is of

importance

Acceptable colour depth values are possible only with application of

dyeing accelerators and high temperatures at 120 130 C

Medium light fastness level,

after fixing at 170C to 190C is important

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Effect of dyeing accelerators

The dyeing accelerators are mostly difficult to dissolve

in water, partially diffuse into the fibre, loosen the
crystalline structure and increase the dyeability

Electrolyte additions cause a salting-out of the dyes,

and these agglomerates are dissolved again in the
dyeing accelerator and transported into the fibre.

Dyeing accelerators partially remain on the fibre and

might cause odour and light fastness problems

Dyeing accelerators can have a negative effect on the

non-combustibility

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Dyeing accelerators swelling agents

Application
quantity

Classification as
hazardous substance

Water
endangering
substances

Acetopheone

20 g/l

Xn R22 R36

Benzaldehyde

50 g/l

Xn R22

Benzyl alcohol

70 g/l

Xn R20 R22

NOMAPOL N

15 g/l

C R21 R22 R34

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Xn harmful
C corrosive
R20 Harmful by inhalation.
R21 Harmful in contact with skin.
R22 Harmful if swallowed.
R34 Causes burns.
R36 Irritating to eyes.
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NOMAPOL N

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is N-cyclohexyl-pyrrolidone
is soluble in water
does not need addition of electrolyte
highest colour yield in combination with NOMABID 31
gives brilliant dyeings
very good levelling effect
increase the reproducibility
also suitable for brightening and stripping
can be washed out more easily than benzyl alcohol
low odour

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Efficiency of NOMAPOL N / NOMABID 31

Recipe:
0.3
1.0
3.0
15.0

g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l

Without auxiliary
KOLLASOL CDO
MEROPAN KP
NOMABID 31
NOMAPOL N

1.0 % BEZACRYL Red GRL 180

1,5C/min

50C

90 min

125C

125C

Cool off, rinse hot (80 C) and cold

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15 g/l NOMAPOL N

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15 g/l NOMAPOL N
3 g/l NOMABID 31

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Efficiency of NOMAPOL N / NOMABID 31

Recipe:
0.3
1.0
3.0
15.0

g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l

Without auxiliary

KOLLASOL CDO
MEROPAN KP
NOMABID 31
NOMAPOL N

0.4 % BEZACRYL Red GRL 180

2.0 % BEZACRYL Blue GRL 300

1.5C/min

50C

90 min

125C

125C
15 g/l NOMAPOL N
3 g/l NOMABID 31

Cool off, rinse hot (80 C) and cold

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15 g/l NOMAPOL N

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Effect of NOMABID 31

Without auxiliary

Recipe:
0.3
1.0
x
y

g/l
g/l
g/l
g/l

KOLLASOL CDO
MEROPAN KP
NOMABID 31
Dyeing accelerator

70 g/l Benzyl alcohol

0.5 % BEZACRYL Red GRL 180

1.2 % BEZACRYL Blue GRL 300

1,5C/min

50C

90 min

125C

125C

Cool off, rinse hot (80 C) and cold

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70 g/l Benzyl alcohol

3 g/l NOMABID 31

15 g/l NOMAPOL N
3 g/l NOMABID 31

25 g/l NOMAPOL N
3 g/l NOMABID 31

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Effect of sodium nitrate

Without auxiliary

15 g/l NOMAPOL N

15 g/l NOMAPOL N
2 g/l NOMABID 31

15 g/l NOMAPOL N
2 g/l NOMABID 31
20 g/l sodium nitrate
15 g/l NOMAPOL N
20 g/l sodium nitrate

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Levelling effect of NOMAPOL N

Basic dyeing:

Basic fabric

0.6 % BEZACRYL Golden GL 200

0.2 % BEZACRYL Red GRL 180
0.2 % BEZACRYL Blue GRL 300
Without auxiliary
Levelling test:
3 parts of colour fabric / 1 part white fabric
15 g/l NOMAPOL N
2.0 g/l SARABID OL
1.0 g/l MEROPAN KP
x g/l auxiliary
1.5C/min

50C

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30 g/l NOMAPOL N

90 min

125C

125C

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Fastness properties of BEZACRYL dyes on

NOMEX

Range

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Light fastness

2 3-4

Rubbing fastness

4 4-5

Washing fastness

3-4 4

Perspiration fastness

3-4 4

Dry cleaning

3 3-4

An afterfixing at 170 190 C is important to obtain

optimal fastness properties !!!

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Dyeing system
120
110
100
90

80
70

AB
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

min.

3.0 g/l NOMABID 31

1.0 ml/l MEROPAN KP
15.0 ml/l NOMAPOL N
B
x % BEZACRYL dye

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2.0 g/l CHT DISPERGATOR SMS

1.0 g/l MEROPAN KP

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Choice of dyes

Trichromic dyeing
 BEZACRYL Golden GL 200
 BEZACRYL Red GRL 180
 BEZACRYL Blue FBS

Supplementary elements
 BEZACRYL Yellow 5GL 300
 BEZACRYL Blue BG 200
 BEZACRYL Black FBL 300

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