CA1240809A - Method for dyeing polyester fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

METHOD FOR DYEING POLYESTER FABRICS

Abstract of the Disclosure Textile fabrics formed at least partially of polyester fibers are dyed with an aqueous dyebath comprising (a) 0 to 5 g/l of thickener;
(b) disperse dyestuffs in an amount sufficient to dye the fibers to the desired depth of color;
(c) 2 to 100 g/l of a partially sulfated adduct of ethylene oxide with an alkyl phenol or C8 to C16 fatty alcohol ;
(d) 0 to 60 g/l of nonionic or anionic surfac-tants; and (e) 5 to 50 g/l of at least one organic compound selected from the group consisting of aromatic nitrile ethers and ethoxylated chlorophenols.
The fabrics may be continuously dyed by padding, immersing, spraying or otherwise applying the dyestuffs, steaming the fabrics in their wet condition, and sub-sequently washing and drying.

Description

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This invention relates to the dyeing of textile fabrics, and in particular to a continuous process for dyeing textile fabrics formed at least partial]y of polyester fibers.
It is known frotn the technical literature (for example, W. Bernard Praxis des Bleichens und Faerbens von Textilien [~leaching and Dyeing Practice of Textiles~, Springer Verlag, 1966) and from pertinent publications that textile fabrics of polyester fibers and/or their blends with cellulosic fibers can be continuously dyed by the so-called "Thermosol Process." In applying this method, the fabric is impregnated with a cold to warm, aqueous disper-sion of suitable dyestuffs and auxiliary agents to a defined weight increase, dried, subsequently "thermally fixed" at temperatures of 180 to 220C, and again liberated from excessive dyestuff by washing. During the thermal fixation, the dyestuffs diffuse into the polyester fi~er in a finely dispersed or monomolecular form, and are dissolved in the fiber. The advantage of this method is the possibi-lity of simultaneously fixing the polyester fibers andobtaining very fast colors within a short period of time ranging from 40 to 120 seconds at 180 to 220C~
A prerequisite for the success of the process is that tl-e dyestuffs are already uniformly distributed in the textile product after the impregnation and intermediate drying. If not, nonuniform coloration will result.

Another prerequisite is that the product is dried before the thermal fixation, since otherwise the temperatures for the Thermosol Process will not be reached because of eva-poration of the dyebaths.
However, the Thermosol method has been found disadvantageous in practice, in that not all textile fabrics of polyester fibers can be dyed by this process, and that it is absolutely necessary to dry the product following the padding. In particular, it is not possible to dye pile fabrics by this method, since the dyebath migrates to the pile tips and bases during the intermediate drying, and thus, the product is dyed unevenly. Furthermore, the process is uneconomical, since the fabric needs to be dried twice during the dyeing process. Even though attempts have been made to overcome these disadvantages by the use of so-called migration inhibitors and special padding assistants, they have been unsuccessful in the case of the pile fabrics, such as, plushes, velvets and velours.
A further problem with the pile fabrics, due to their high bulk and insulating characteristics, is that it is not possible to achieve Thermosol temperatures throughout the fabric in a reasonably short duration without overheating and fusing the tips of the pile yarns or leaving inner por-tions of the fabric insufficiently heated.
It is, therefore, an object of the present inven-tion to develop a method for continuously dyeing polyester fibers and filaments and/or their blends with cellulosic fibers, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and by which also pile fabrics can be satisFactorily dyed.
Surprisingly, it has now been found that it is possible to continuously dye textile fabrics of poLyester fibers and filaments and/or their blends without having the aforementioned disadvantages, when the fabrics are impregnated in an aqueous dyebath, containing (a) 0 to 5.0 g/l of a thickener;
(b) commercially available disperse dyestuffs in an amount sufficient to dye the fibers to the desired depth of color;
(c) 2 to 100 g/l of a partially sulfated adduct of ethylene oxide with an alkyl phenol or C8 to C16 fatty alcohol, preferably nonylphenol or C12 fatty alcohol with ~ to 6 mols ethylene oxide;
(d) o to 60 g/l of nonionic or anionic sur-factants; and (e) 5 to 50 g/l of at least one organic com-pound selected from the group consisting of aromatic nitrile ethers and ethoxylated chlorophenols.
The fabric is impregnated by any suitable method, such as by padding, up to a weight increase of 60 to 25070, pre-ferably, 80 to 160%, and is subsequently heated to a tem-perature and for a time sufficient to fix the dyestuffs.
For example, the fabric may be steamed in the wet condition for 1 to 20 minutes in a saturated vapor atmosphere of 96-105C, preferably 98-102C, then continuously washed at 20 to 60C in one to six baths, mechanically drained to a residual moisture of 50 to 90%, and finally dried or 1 to 10 minutes, preferably 2 to 6 minutes, at temperatures of 140-210C, preferably, 170 to 200C.

The method of the present invention is charac-erized in that it ls applicable to all fabric construc-tion, and that intermediate drying is not needed. Based on the special composition of the dyebath, it has thus been made possible to dye polyester fibers, which could not be dyed by steaming in a continuous process under the afore-said conditions. Such a method has been so far unknown, ". ~

8Vg ~4-and is both a considerable technical and economical advance over the prior art (Thermosol Process).
The method of the present invention is applicable to both conventional polyester (polyethyleneglycol-terephthalate) fibers and other polyesters which are knownto the person skilled in the art under the term "easy dyeable" or "carrier-free dyeable" polyester fibers, as well as flame-resistant modified polyester fibers. This has so far been only possible for li~ht shades. "Carrier-free dyeable" is here understood that no carriers, i.e., com-ponents, which are used to accelerate diffusion, are added to the dyebath. The "carrier-free dyeable polyester fibers"
are modified conventional polyester fibers, which are pro-duced by condensing polyethyleneglycols.
This method is also particularly suitable for dyeing woven blends of polyester and cellulosic fibers.
Cellulosic fibers include both natural fibers, such as, for example, cotton or linen, and regenerated fibers, such as, for example, rayon or viscose, as well as esterified cellu-losic fibers, such as, for example, diacetate or triace-tate.
This method permits dyeing of the aforesaid fibers in their composition as textile fabrics, such as, for examples, fleeces, tricots or knits, but, in particular, woven fabrics. The textile fabrics may be both flat fabrics and, particularly, pile fabrics, such as, for example, velvet, plush or velours. The method is espe-cially suited for dyeing polyester pile fabrics, which heretofore could not be successfully dyed in a continuous process.
Of essential importance for the invention is the composition of the dyebath. The individual operations for application of the dyebath, such as immersion, padding, spraying, scraping on, application of foam, impregnation;

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and the subsequent treatments, such as steaming, washing, and clrying are per se conventional steps and employ known types of apparatus, as are described for example in ~.
Peter, "~rundlagen der Textilveredelung" [Basics of Textile Finishing], 11th edition, ~eutscher Fachverlag, Frankfurt, pp. 43-47 and pp. 233-237.
According to the invention, the textile fabrics are impregnated in an aqueous dyebath by suitable appïication methods, such as immersion, padding, spraying, scraping on, or by the application of foam, up to a weight increase (wet pick-up) of 60 to 250%, preferably 80 to 200%, and, in particular, 80 to 160%, then directly steamed in-their wet condition for 1 to 20 minutes, at 96-105C, preferably 98-102C, then again washed several times at 20 to 60C, mechanically drained and finally dried at 140 to 210C, preferably 170 to 200C, for 1 to 10 minutes, preferably 2 to 8 minutes, and in particular 2 to 6 minutes.
The impregnation bath is composed of:
(a) 0 to S g/l (preferably 0.5 to 3.0 g/l) of a thickener;
(b) up to 150 g/l (preferably 0.05 to 150 g/l and particularly 2 to 50 g/l) commercially available disperse dyestuffs;
(b') up to 100 g/l (preferably 0.05 to 50 g/l, and particularly 2 to 50 g/l) commercially available direct dyestuffs;
(c) 2 to 100 g/l (preferably 5 to 60 g/l) of a partially sulfated adduct of ethylene oxide with an alkyl phenol or C8 to C16 fatty alcohols, preferably nonylphenol or C12 fatty alcohol with 1 to 6 mols of ethylene oxlde;
(d) 0 to 60 g/l (preferably 2 to 30 g/l) nonionic or anioni.c surfactants, which mayl for example, ~Z4~8~

comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkane sulfonates, alkylaryi sulfonates, sulfonated carboxylic acid esters, sulfonated carboxylic acid amides, or ~l~ to C2s fatty acids; and preferably Cl2 to ~14 alkane mono-sulfonate or sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate; and (e) 5 to 50 g/l (preferably 5 to 20 g/l) of at least one organic compourld selected from the group consisting of aromatic nitrile ethers or ethoxylated chlorophenols in emulsified form.
The dyestuffs under (b ) may be used in addition to the disperse dyestuffs of (b) when the fabric contains cellulosic fibers or yarns in addition to the polyester fibers or yarns.
Suitable thickeners may include nonionic and/or anionic products as can be derived from the addition of ethylene oxide, from the oxidative or thermal decomposition or, respectively, carboxymethylation of guar or locust bean powder; or cellulose, starch or algin derivatives. Suitable thickeners include carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethyl-starch, alginates, such as the sodiu~, potassium or ammonium salts of algin. Particularly suitable are products derived from the addition of ethylene oxide as well as products with a 0.3 to 0.7 degree of substitution.
The method of the present invention may employ any of the usual commercially available disperse dyestuffs generally recognized as suitable for polyester. They may be used both as dispersed powders and aqueous dispersions. Particularly suitable are disperse dyestuffs with a relatively large mole-cule and of a particularly high lightfastness. The disperse dyestuffs ~ay be used both alone and in combination with direct dyestuffs. From a chemical viewpoint, the disperse dyestuffs belong to the class of the azo or anthraquinone dyestuffs.

~2~ 9 I.ikewise, the usual commercially available direct dyestuffs conventionally used for cellu'Losic fibers may be employed in this process. They are water soluble and can belong to the various chemical classes of dyestuf'fs, such as, for example, azo dyestuffs, anthraquinone dyestuffs or metallized dyestuffs. The dyestuffs particularly suita'ble for the method of the present invention, are selected 'by their solubility, high color absorption and high lightfastness.
Both the disperse and direct dyestuffs may contain the usual dispersing and pulverizing assistants as well as diluent substances or salts, Also of importance for the present method is the use of partially sulfated adducts of ethylene oxide with alkylphe-nols or C8 to C16 fatty alcohols, identified above as com-ponent (c). Preferred are partially sulfated adducts ofnonylphenol or C12 fatty alcohols with 1 to 6 mols ethylene oxide. Specific examples include: the ammonium salt of a partially sulfated adducts of nonylphenol with 5.5 mols ethy-lene oxide, the sodium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of nonylphenol with 4 mols ethylene oxide, the sodium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of a C12 fatty alcohol with 2 mols ethylene oxide, the ammonium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of nonylphenol with 2.5 mols ethylene oxide, and the ammonium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of octylphenol with 6 mols ethylene oxide.
These products are obtained by the partial su'lfa-tion of the adducts from ethylene oxide with alkyl phenols or fatty alcohols respecti~7ely. The degree of the ethoxy-lation and sulfation may widely vary, and the products are obtained in the form of their ammonium or alkali, in par-ticular sodium, salts. The component (c) acts as an emulsifier and dispersant for the dyes and can be directly added to the dyebath.

~z~ g - ~ -The dyebath also desirably includes anionic and nonionic surfactants, identified above as component (d).
Suitable surfactants may be selected from ammonium or alkali metal salts of alkane sulfonates, sulfonated carboxyiic acid esters, or sulfonated carboxylic acid amides. Pre-ferred are C12 to C14 alkane monosulfona-tes or sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate. Specific examples include: the sodium salt of sulfosuccinic acid 2-ethylhexylester, the sodium salt f C12 to C16 alkanesulfonate, and the sodium salt of sulfosuccinic acid C12 hemi-amide.
These, in general, are wetting agents which are known to the person skilled in the art under the descrip-tion of rapid wetting agents. In the method of this inven-tion, these agents serve as wetting agents during the application stage and also serve to generate foam in the steaming stage to promote level and even dyeing, especially of pile fabrics. Chemically, they are C12 to C16 alkane sulfonates, monoesters and diesters of sulfosuccinic acid, or monoamides or diamides of sulfosuccinic acid. The component (d) can be directly added to the dyebath. Also suitable are ammonium or alkali metal salts of alkylarylsulfonates, such as sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate; ammonium or alkali metal salts of lauryl sulfonate, such as sodium lauryl sulfonate;
ammonium or alkali metal salts of ethylene oxide adducts of lauryl sulfonate, such as the sodium salt of the addition of 1 to 6 mols of ethylene oxide to lauryl sulfonate; and ammonium or alkali metal salts of ethylene oxide adducts of C12 to C2s fatty acids, an example of which is the adduct of 9 to 50 mols of ethylene oxide to octadecanoic acid~
Component (e) as described above may comprise accelerators based on aromatic nitrile ethers or ethoxy-lated chlorophenols in emulsified form, in particular, ben-zyloxypropionitrile, chlorobenzyloxypropionitrile and methylbenzyloxypropionitrile, as well as di-and triethylene ~ ~4~

glycol monochlorophenyl e-ther. Preferably the nitrile e~ers have,a molecular weight of 100 to 250, in par~cular, 150 to 200, and that o~ the ethoxylated chlorophenols ranges fr~m 150 to 400, in particular from 200 to 300.
These products are water insoluble, high-boiling liquids, which are capable of softening the polyester fibers under the conditions of the method according to the invention. Therefore, they make possible and accelerate the diffusion of the dispexse dyes into the polyester fibers.
Commercially available products of component (e) are either pure substances or contain emulsifiers. Pure substances are added with the aforesaid assistants to the padding liquors in emulsified form. Particularly suita'ble components (e) for the present method are di- and triethy-leneglycol monochlorophenyl ethers and benzyloxypropio-nitrile, Preferred emulsifiers for the component (e) are ethoxylated ~16 to Clg fatty alcohols with 10 to 25 mols ethylene oxide.
The described assistants (c), (d), and (e) can 'be used both alone and combined with each other, and the sum of the quantities used can vary from about 2 to about 200 g/l of the dyebath.
Aside from the aforesaid ingredients, the dyebath may contain additional assistants, such as dispersing agents, wetting agents, antistatic agents and defoamers.
The following examples are intended to describe the invention in more detail, but not to limit it.
Example 1 A raschel plush product of polyester (Trevira 220) was impregnated in a bath containing:

2.0 g/l modified guar powder (modified by tllermal decomposition) 2.3 g/l Polyester Yellow LS (trade name) 0.5~ g/l Polyester Brilliant Red BS (trade name) -1 o 0.3 g/l Polyester Violet 2RB (trade name) 1.23 g/l Polyester Blue 6102 (trade name) 25.0 g/l Ammonium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of nonylphenol with 5,5 mols ethylene oxide;
10.0 g/l Sodium salt of the sulfosuccinic acid 2-ethyl-hexyl ester;
15.0 g/l Benzyloxypropionitrile.
The material was impregnated on a padder with a 95~O
absorption of the bath. The product was then stearned for 10 minutes at 99C in a saturated vapor a-tmosphere, and sub-sequently washed five times in 30C waterO
The material was then drained by squeezing to 75%
residual moisture, and finally dried for 3 minutes on a tenter at 180C. A grey, very uniform pile fabric was obtained with suitable lightfastness and good general ~ast-nesses to rubbing (crocking) and washing.
Example 2 A pile fabric consisting of (55%) polyethylenegly-coltherephthalate fibers in ~he pile and (45%) cotton in the backing was preset for ~0 seconds at 190C. Then, the fabric was impregnated by padding with a liquor consisting of:
2,5 g/l locust bean powder ethoxylated with 1.S mols ethylene oxide per OH group.

3.0 g/l Polyester Yellow LS (trade name) 12.0 g/l Polyester Yellow 7102 (trade name) 9.0 g/l Polyester Brilliant Red BS (trade name) 8.0 g/l Polyester Rubin ~L (trade name) 5.0 g/l Polyester Blue 6102 (trade name) 3.64 g/l Sirus Light Orange GGL (trade name)

4.55 g/l Direct Bordeaux BS (trade name) 3.18 g/l Solamin Blue VGRL 167% (trade name) 40.0 g/l Sodium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of nonylphenol with 4 mols ethylene oxide ~2~ )9 18.0 g/l Sodium salt of sulfosuccinic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester 30.0 g/l Benzyloxypropionitrile.
The absorption of the bath amounted to 98%.
The fabric was then steamed for 15 minutes at 98C
in a saturated vapor atmosphere, then washed three times in 50C water, mechanically drained to 75% residual moisture, and dried for 2.5 minutes on a tenter at 190C. The result was a dark red, uniformly dyed pile fabric with good fast-nesses and a lightfastness of 7. The lightfastness was determined in a]l examples according to both the Opel Standards GME 60292 of 11/77 and by the FAKRA test.
Example 3 A woven velour of 55% polyester, 35% cotton and 10% rayon was impregnated by applying foam from a bath with the following ingredients (80% absorption of the bath):
3.5 g/l water soluble guar derivative (l.O mol ethylene oxide per OH group) l,O g/l Polyester Yellow LS (trade name) 35 g/l Polyester Yellow 7102 (trade name) 1.3 g/l Polyester Brilliant Red BS (trade name) 1.05 g/l Polyester Blue BGL (trade name) 2.5 g/l Superlightfast Yellow EFC (trade name) 1.5 g/l Sirius Red F3B 200% (trade name) 1.25 g/l Sirius Light Grey CGLL 167% (trade name) 20.0 g/l Sodium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of a Cl2 fatty alcohol with 2 mols ethylene oxide

5.0 g/l Sodium salt of a C12 to C16 alkane sulfonate 15.0 g/l 3-chlorophenol triethyleneglycol ether.
Following its impregnation, the material was steamed for ~ minutes in a saturated vapor at 100C, washed four times in 50C water, mechanically drained to 30~0 resi-dual moisture and dried for 2 minutes at 200C. The result was a light brown, completely uniformly dyed product with excellent fastnesses.

Example 4 A plush fabric with polyester pile and a cotton and triacetate blend in the backing was impregnated in the following bath:
1.5 g/l Anionically modified guar powder (degree of carboxylation 0.53) 4.25 g/l Polyester Yellow 7102 (trade name) 4.02 g/l Polyester Brilliant Red BS (trade name) 10.1 g/l Polyester Blue 6102 (trade name) 1 0 2.6 g/l Solamin Blue VGRL 167% (trade name) 1.8 g/l Sirius Light Blue BRR 182% (trade name) 0.49 g/l Sirius Light Orange GGL (trade name) 0.77 g/l Sirius Light Brown R (trade name) 60.0 g/l NH4 salt of a partially sulfated adduct of nonylphenol with 2.5 mols ethylene oxide 20.0 g/l Sodium salt of sulfosuccinic acid C12 hemi-amide 30.0 g/l emulslfier-containing methylbenzyloxypropionitrile.
Impregnation was done Gn a two-roller padder with 100~O absorption of the bath. Then the material was steamed in its wet condition for 14 minutes in a 98C saturated vapor atmosphere, subsequently continuously washed in 5 baths at 45C, and drained by squeezing to 65% resi-dual moisture, and finally dried for 4 minutes on a

6-section tenter at 185C. The result was a medium to dark blue, uniform coloration with a lightfastness of 7 and very good general fastnesses.
Example 5 A liquor consisting of 4.5 g/l carboxylated guar derivative (degree of carboxylation 0.40) 1.0 g/l Polyester Yellow LS (trade name) 3.5 g/l Polyester Yellow 7102 (trade name) 1.3 g/l Polyester Brilliant Red BS (trade name) 1.05 g/l Polyester Blue B(;L (trade name) 2.5 g/l Superlightfast Yellow EFC (trade name) ~2~ 36)9 1.5 g/l Sirius Red F3B 200% (trade namej 1.25 g/l Sirius Light Grey CGLL 167% (trade name) 35.0 g/l NH4 salt of a partially sulfated adduct of octylphenol with 6 mols ethylene oxide 10.0 g/l Chlorobenzyloxypropionitrile was scraped with a 200% absorption of the bath on a tricot of 7070 carrier-free dyeable polyester, 20% cotton, and 10%
rayon, which was then steamed for 15 minutes at 98C. It was then washed three times at 45C and drained to 80~ residual moisture, and finally dried for 8 minutes at 160C. The resul~ was a blue grey, uniform coloration with excellent fastnesses. The lightfastness according to the so-called "Opel Test" ranged from 6 to 7.
Example 6 A tricot product of 100 percent polyester was pre-set for 45 seconds at 180 C. Then the fabric was impregnated by padding wi~h a liquor consisting of:
2 g/l Locust bean powder 15 g/l Polyester Brilliant ~ed BS (trade name) 4 g/l Polyester ~ubin GL (trade name) 2.3 g/l Polyester Blue 6102 (trade name) 50 g/l Sodium salt of a partially sulfated adduct of nonylphenol with 4 mols ethylene oxide 25 g/l Sodium salt of sulfosuccinic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester 25 g/l Benzyloxypropionitrile The absorption of the bath amounts to 86~o~ The fabric was steamed for 9 minutes at 99 C in a saturated vapor atmosphere and then washed three times in 50 C water, mechanically drained to 80% residual moisture, and dried for 2 minutes on a tenter at 180 C. The result was a dark red, uniformly dyed fabric with good fastness.

Claims (15)

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMS:

1. In a method of dyeing textile fabrics formed at least partially of polyester fibers comprising impregnating the fabrics with an aqueous dyebath and fixing the dyestuffs on the fabric, the improvement wherein the aqueous dyebath comprises:
(a) 0 to 5 g/l of thickener;
(b) disperse dyestuffs in an amount sufficient to dye the fibers to the desired depth of color (c) 2 to 100 g/l of a partially sulfated adduct of ethylene oxide with an alkyl phenol or C8 to C16 fatty alcohol;
(d) 0 to 60 g/l of nonionic or anionic surfactants; and (e) 5 to 50 g/l of at least one organic compound selected from the group consisting of aromatic nitrile ethers and ethoxylated chlorophenols.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the fabrics are impregnated with said aqueous dyebath to a wet pick-up of 60 to 250 percent.

3. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the heating of the impregnated fabric to fix the dyestuffs comprises steaming for 1 to 20 minutes at 96 to 105°C.

4. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the drying of the fabric is carried out at 140 to 210°C for 1 to 10 minutes.

5. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the tex-tile fabrics comprise blends of polyester fibers with cellulosic fibers, and wherein said aqueous dyebath also includes direct dyestuffs.

6. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the tex-tile fabrics comprise pile fabrics such as velvets, plushes, or velours.

7. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said aqueous dyebath additionally includes auxiliary agents such as dispersing agents, wetting agents, antistatic agents and defoamers.

8. A method of continuously dyeing textile fabrics formed at least partially of polyester fibers comprising (1) advancing the fabric through a continuous dyeing range and through a dyestuffs applicator and impregnating the fabric with an aqueous dyebath comprising (a) 0.5 to 5 g/l of a thickener (b) disperse dyestuffs in an amount sufficient to dye the fibers to the desired depth of shade (c) 2 to 100 g/l of a partially sulfated adduct of ethylene oxide with an alkyl phenol or to C16 fatty alcohol (d) 2 to 60 g/l of nonionic or anionic surfac-tants, and (e) 5 to 50 g/l of at least one organic compound selected from the group consisting of aromatic nitrile ethers and ethoxylated chlorophenols;

(2) continuously directing the fabric from the dyestuffs applicator to and through a heating chamber and heating the fabric to a temperature and for a time sufficient to fix the dyestuffs, and (3) washing and drying the thus dyed fabric.

9. A method according to Claim 1 or 8 wherein said organic compound (e) comprises an aromatic nitrile ether of molecular weight 100 to 250.

10. A method according to Claim 1 or 8 wherein said compound (d) comprises a C12 to C16 alkane sulfonate.

11. A method according to Claim 1 or 8 wherein said compound (c) is a partially sulfated adduct of nonyl phenol with 1 to 6 mols of ethylene oxide.

12. A method according to Claim 1 or 8 wherein said compound (c) is a partially sulfated adduct of C12 fatty acids with 1 to 6 mols of ethylene oxide.

13. Dyed textile fabrics produced by the process of Claims 1 or 8.

14. Dyed 100 percent polyester pile fabrics pro-duced by the process of Claims 1 or 8.

15. Dyed polyester fiber/cellulosic fiber blend fabrics produced by the process of Claim 5.