Yellowing

of Textiles
Yellowing of Textiles : Introduction
Yellowing of textile fabrics is one of the oldest and most widespread quality problems
known. The yellowing can be seen directly in the case of market whites, pastel shades or
even after-washed denims. However, shade change noticed in darker colored fabrics can
often be attributed to chemical change or degradation of the fiber or some chemical agent
either purposely applied to the fabric in finishing or inadvertently absorbed by the fabric
in its storage and shipment to market or during its end use. As a general statement,
yellowing of textile materials is an indication of unanticipated chemical degradation. Very
often, as colorless chemicals decompose, they form light to moderate yellowish colors. Of
course, if this chemical is a textile finish or additive or has been absorbed by a textile
product, this color formation is noted as fabric or garment yellowing. It should also be
noted that continued chemical decomposition could form moderate to dark brown colors
or, in some extreme cases, even black colors.
Yellowing of Textiles
As consumers, we may have experienced our white clothing and other fabrics turning
yellow at some point. As unsightly as it may seem, this ‘yellowing’ of white and lightly
coloured textiles is a common occurrence, which is usually due to chemical and
environmental factors, and fabric ageing.

With around 20% of all textiles produced globally being finished as ‘white’, it is crucial
that manufacturers take the correct precautions to ensure their fabrics and garments stay
white during production and storage, so that they reach consumers in the best condition ­
ensuring no financial loss due to rejections and consumer complaints.
Yellowing of Textiles

Yellowing in particular of white or pastel shade elastic fabrics during finishing, storage and
transit is a big challenge for the textile finisher. The trouble of yellowing can cause
complaints and confrontations between the textile finisher and garment manufacturer or
ultimate customer. There is also the fact that processes for avoiding or eliminating yellowing
on fabrics are very time-consuming and involve high costs. So this problem cannot be
neglected.

Generally spoken, the textile industry has to deal with thermal and storage yellowing. But
the phenomenon of yellowing of elastic fabrics is more complex which has to be considered
in order to avoid it.
Yellowing of Textiles

The high variety of anti-yellowing agents available on the market provides a great potential

for the application to finishing processes of elastic textiles. However, many products with

nearly the same properties are used whereas the benefits of using specialty products are

mostly unknown.

L.N. Chemicals offers a complete range of effective anti-yellowing products for almost every

field of finishing of stretch fabrics which grants the textile industry optimal process

reliability by custom-made chemistry.

Cause Of Yellowing of Textiles
All types of textile products have been subject to yellowing including those made from
natural fibers such as cotton ,wool or silk, as well as those composed of synthetic fibers such
as polyester, nylon, or spandex. It should also be noted that in the cases of blended fabrics,
at times only one fiber in the blend may be affected by the yellowing. However, at other
times several or all fibers in the blend are affected. Specifically, the cause of the yellowing
often determines which fiber(s) in the blend exhibit the yellowing. This fact can be used as a
diagnostic tool to help determine the source of the observed yellowing and aid in the
development of a strategy to prevent future problems.

In recent years, the various causes of these yellowing issues have been studied extensively
with the subsequent publication of numerous technical papers and reports. Generally, the
causes can be grouped into the following broad categories with the understanding that
there can be crossover or combinations of causes that yield observed fabric yellowing:
Cause Of Yellowing of Textiles
1. Fiber Degradation Destruction, decomposition, internal change of the fiber structure
due to chemical or biological degradation, exposure to excessive heat, intensive or long term
exposure to light radiation and/or fiber aging are all primary causes of fabric yellowing.
Additionally, specific fiber blends may actually increase the occurrence of these problems.

2. Chemical Additives or Auxiliaries It is well known that the overuse or misuse of

chemical finishes such as softeners, lubricating oils, resins, optical brightening agents, or
metallic salts can lead to unwanted fabric color change including fabric yellowing.

3. Atmospheric Pollutants As was stated previously, atmospheric contaminants from both

natural and industrial sources can lead to pronounced fabric yellowing. The specific
pollutants include, but are not limited to oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. The
mechanisms for the actual fabric contamination are numerous and varied but are normally
directly related to specific fiber or fiber blend content along with fabric finishing processes.

4. Transferred Contaminants The contaminants often are contained in cardboard boxes or

dividers, plastic sheets, films, or bags and in auxiliary materials such as pumice stones used
for garment after-washing processes. In recent years this type of yellowing has been both
frequent and also difficult to minimize.
Cause Of Yellowing of Textiles
1. Fiber Degradation

As mentioned earlier, normally fiber degradation is not considered a major source of

fabric yellowing but there have been studies that do indicate that this does occur. These
investigations have shown that natural fibers such as cotton degrade and show yellowing,
as well as synthetic fibers such as nylon. This fiber yellowing is normally accelerated by
exposure to excessive heat, especially in the presence of high humidity, high exposure to
ultraviolet light, or long term storage so that the fibers age.

We notice that in cotton fabric there is yellowing, a loss of breaking strength, a decrease
in moisture regain and a decrease in dye uptake.

It is well known that nylon and polyester fabric have a tendency to yellow upon storage
over long time periods or in high heat containing warehouses.

Greige spandex blend fabrics are notorious for their poor storage stability and normally
should be finished within two months of their manufacture.
Cause Of Yellowing of Textiles
2. Chemical Additives or Auxiliaries

Textile finishing of modern textile fabrics employs varied and complex chemical
formulations depending on the end use requirements for the textile products.
One of the most widely used chemical additives are textile softeners because they can
be added in home or commercial laundries, as well as by the textile manufacturer. The
source of these chemicals can be natural products such as chemically modified animal
fats and oils, vegetable fats and waxes or synthetic products such as hydrocarbon
waxes or silicone materials. Because of the chemical composition of these materials
many of them are subject to yellowing due to exposure to high heat, long time storage,
or incorrect chemical formulation. Additionally, because of their oily, greasy nature,
heavy application of these softeners leads to excessive attraction of oily dirt by the
fabric surface, which in turn creates a tendency toward yellowing.
Cause Of Yellowing of Textiles
3. Atmospheric Pollutants

Studies have shown that one of the most potent agents for causing yellowing comes
from atmospheric pollution (from both natural and man-made sources). The single
biggest source of yellowing has been identified as oxides of nitrogen. For example, these
oxides are formed by the action of lightning in the atmosphere. Man-made sources
include the burning of gasoline and diesel fuel in tow motors, automobiles, trucks and
trains, gas- and oil-fired heating systems, and various types of industrial and commercial
processes. The most prevalent pollutant, nitrogen dioxide, may react with small
amounts of chemical residues, oils or greases on the fabric surface. High concentration
of nitrogen dioxide has been shown to yellow nylon fiber directly.

Other gaseous pollutants shown to induce fabric yellowing include sulfur dioxide,
hydrogen sulfide, and ozone. It must be emphasized that fabric yellowing in the
presence of these atmospheric contaminants is usually the result of a chemical
interaction between the specific pollutant and some chemical components on or near
the fabric surface. For factories or warehouses, it is important to ensure that gas or oil-
fired heating systems are well maintained. Proper air ventilation within the facility is
also very important, especially if emissions from tow motors can concentrate within
fabric or garment storage areas.
Cause Of Yellowing of Textiles
4. Transferred Contaminants
The frequency of fabric or garment yellowing while in storage markedly increased. This is a
particular problem for white and pastel shades. The problem was not particularly uniform,
in that, within a carton of rolls of fabric, some rolls would exhibit severe yellowing while
other rolls showed no yellowing at all.

The source of the problem to be what is now known as phenolic yellowing resulting from
fabrics wrapped in polyethylene film or bags. Phenolic antioxidants, most notably butylated
hyroxytoluene (BHT), blended into the polyethylene film as a protectant and preservative
react with nitrogen dioxide from atmospheric pollution to form yellowing on the fabric
surface.

This yellowing can be in patches and is normally reversible. It often can be removed by an
acidic scouring of the fabric or exposure of the fabric to direct sunlight.

This phenolic yellowing has since been discovered to be much more widespread throughout
fiber-textile-cut & sew-retail chain than anyone initially believed.
Cause Of Yellowing of Textiles
More or less yellowing can be caused as a result of:
• Thermosetting
• Molding due to contact heat
• Storage
• Thermosetting and storage due to oxides of nitrogen
• Molding of fabrics with foam interlinings (e. g. foundation garments).
• Photobleaching or photo yellowing due to light

It has to be taken into account that the yellowing propensity of stretch fabrics is
different depending on the individual substrate and fibre additive applied.
Causes Of Yellowing of Textiles
Factors influencing the yellowing
 
Various factors influence the yellowing of white textile
goods in presence of antioxidants :
 
 Storage conditions
o Atmosphere composition in store, shop and
home (NOX beside other pollutants)
o Humidity and temperature
o Heating and ventilation
o Storage time
o Illumination
o Ozone fading
 Composition of hot air, particularly on drying /
curing/heat-setting equipment with direct gas heating
when nitrogen oxides are produced due to unproper
burning conditions.
Causes Of Yellowing of Textiles
Causes of yellowing during storage
 
 The intensive yellowing of white or pastel colored textile
good is very often a result of the presence of phenol-based
antioxidants (butylated hydroxyl toluene derivates).
 
 This chemistry is low in cost and highly effective. Due to
its low vapor pressure it is volatile and can be transferred
to textile goods easily.
 
 Products of this type are commonly used as stabilizers in
Fibre production, Further textile processing. Packing
materials (e.g. polyethylene wrapping films, packing
material in general)
 
Causes Of Yellowing of Textiles
Causes :
Reaction of nitrous oxides (Nox) in the air with phenolic substances :
Antioxidants e.g. based on butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) often used in cardboards,
synthetic materials, plastic films or plastic parts.
+Phenolic substance
+ Nitrous oxides
Yellowing is favoured by pH > 6 ( yellow colour of BHT-No x reaction products is pH –
dependent )

Yellowing can be favoured by cationic charges on the fabric (affinity of BHT-No x

reaction products to cationic charges)

Fabric finished with cationic softeners or cationic after treatment : cationic

charges, attract antioxidants.
Thermal yellowing
Heavy yellowing may occur during thermosetting of grey goods on gas-fired stenters, as
a result of contact heat treatments (molding) and during bonding processes. The stretch
fabrics that are especially concerned are those made from polyamide and increasingly
polyester. The problem becomes even more serious in case of microfiber articles due to
their extremely large surface. An increasing issue have also become knitted goods from
cotton/elastane mixtures which have to be subjected to a preliminary thermosetting
process in order to eliminate edge curling and to obtain sufficient dimensional stability.
Often, the goods turn brown after this treatment so that time consuming and high-cost
scouring and bleaching procedures are necessary to achieve the whiteness degree that
complies with full white.

Auxiliaries that are designed to provide protection of the goods from thermal yellowing
prevent or minimize yellowing in case of thermal stresses.

The selection of the most suitable product depends on the kind of thermal stress, type of
substrate and process conditions
Thermal yellowing
Causes for yellowing during heat setting or molding :
Decomposition of lubricants/spin finishes (yellowing of substances on the fibres)
Decomposition of cationic softeners (yellowing of substances on the fibres)
Reaction of monomers, oligomers or functional groups (yellowing of fibre itself)
Especially PA: migration of antioxidants from within the fiber to the surface.
[ yellow reaction products with nitrous oxides, especially in gas heated stenters]
Yellowing of substances on the fibre :
Scouring the fabric prior to heat treatment
Pre-emulsifying of spin finishes and lubricants by padding with suitable products
and washing off during subsequent dyeing/finishing (especially important in case
of micro fibres)
Yellowing of cationic softeners
Use of suitable pseudo cationic softeners (quality of raw materials and reaction
control is crucial)
Yellowing due to reaction within or due to yellow reaction products.
Application to fibre stabilizers [ radica / scavenger ]
Phenolic yellowing/ Storage Yellowing
Phenolic Yellowing, sometimes referred to as Elusive Yellowing, is the discolouration of
textiles caused by the action of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) on yellowable phenols, and is a
simple, relatively low cost, predictive test to assess the potential of white or pastel-
coloured yarns, fabrics or garments to ‘yellow’ in transit or in storage.

Yellowing occurs when certain conditions are present while fabrics or garments are
being stored.

These conditions are:

• Alkaline finishing

• The presence of moisture

• Nitrogen dioxide present in the air, and

• storage in polyethylene bags or film containing butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or

similar compounds
Phenolic yellowing/ Storage Yellowing
The effects of BHT on white and lightly coloured textiles

BHT is also widely used as an antioxidant in the manufacture of

polyethylene films used for packaging. BHT sublimes and migrates easily to
items in close proximity.

The chemistry of BHT

Typically, the fabric or garment is finished by the manufacturer or washed by the

launderer in slightly alkaline conditions. It is steamed, covered with a polyethylene
wrap or bag containing BHT, and stored in a mill, warehouse, or plant, usually in
darkness.

With time, nitrogen dioxide reacts with BHT released from the bag or film, especially
around openings, perforations, or holes, and this reaction causes yellow stains. The
compound produced from this reaction, 2,6,2',6'-tetra-tert-butylstilbene-4:4'-quinone,
is intensely yellow (often described as canary yellow, or lemon yellow).
Phenolic yellowing/ Storage Yellowing
Yellowing caused by the action of oxides of nitrogen depends to a high extent on the
fibre substrate used which is similar to the phenolic yellowing.

Thus depending on their elastane content, elastic polyamide or polyester articles show
more or less slightly yellowish up to reddish discolorations when exposed to nitrogen
oxide gases.

Fibre lubricant deposits and fibre additives have an additional influence on the
intensity of the NOx yellowing
Causes Of Yellowing of Textiles
Mechanism of Yellowing
Phenolic yellowing/ Storage Yellowing

Causes:
Unsuitable cationic softeners
Reaction of indigo with ozone and nitrous
oxides

Prevention :
Use of softeners avoiding yellowing and
minimizing ozone fading
Packing of ready-made denim articles
avoiding or minimizing exposure to
exhaust.
Fumes in stores.
Photo Yellowing
All textiles can undergo photodegradation upon exposure to light. When wool is
exposed to light, its physical and chemical properties are normally altered, giving
rise to yellowing or fading and loss of mechanical properties.

The problem of photoyellowing has been the object of a great deal. The yellowing of
wool exposed to sunlight is a serious commercial shortcoming compared to cotton
and synthetic fibres, particularly when photostable brilliant whites and bright pastel
shades are required.

Prevent photo yellowing of wool & other natural fibres which is undergoing photo
fading when exposed to sunlight. When wool carpets are exposed to light,
particularly sunlight, visible colour changes can sometimes be observed, particularly
in pastel shades. This effect, known as photobleaching or red shift, may be observed
soon after a carpet is laid, a period when consumers are particularly sensitive to
product performance. 

The effect is particularly noticeable when furniture is moved, revealing a colour

difference between the areas of carpet which have been exposed to light and those
which have not.
Photo Yellowing
Source of problem:

All wool, including bleached wool, will photobleach to some degree, but the
extent of photobleaching is influenced by the following factors:

The initial colour of the wool. 

The base colour of undyed wool is creamy yellow. 
The more yellow the wool, the greater is its propensity to photobleach.

Yellowing resulting from processing, for example, dyebath yellowing and

heat yellowing will rapidly photobleach.

Depth of dyestuff. Photobleaching is less of a problem with carpets dyed to

shades greater than 1/12 standard depth
.
Hue. Green and blue shades tend to highlight photobleaching more than
redder shades. Beige is particularly sensitive to photobleaching.
Precautions for lowering the risk of
yellowing
 As long as BHT type antioxidants are used it is virtually very
difficult to prevent such yellowing. To reduce this yellowing we
recommend : Quench / Neutrox series

 Warn customers to ensure that fibres and auxiliaries are free of

phenolic antioxidants. Especially packing or wrapping materials
should be free of antioxidants (phenol free low density
polyethylene bags)

 Adjust the final finish with some non volatile organic acid (shade
and optical brightener should be acid stable)

  To avoid the presence of nitrogen oxides (NOX) during

production and storage (no direct gas heat, all transportation
systems such as fork-lift trucks with electric motors, good
ventilation in warehouse to avoid air pollution).
Thermal Yellowing
Altranol GR:
 “Altranol-GR” is a unique product that prevents yellowing of polyester, polyamide &
their blends with elastane during the heat setting process.
 Specially designed for the production of pale shades & optically brightened whites

Quench UWP
 It protects all types of polymide fibers and their blends with elastomer fibers against
oxidative damage, thus reducing yellowing due to thermic and photochemical
influence.
 Avoids yellowing of optical brightened polyamide and it blends during heat setting or
molding processes.
 Prevents shade changes of pastel dyed polyamide and its blends during heat setting or
molding treatments.

Neutrox PAT:
 Specially designed to reduce the high-temperature yellowing of nylon and its blends
during pre-forming, post-setting and molding.
 It prevents the oxidative embrittlement of various polyamide fibers and their
mixtures with elastic fibers, and reduces the damage caused by heat and
photochemistry.
 Neutrox PAT should be used before heat treatment to obtain the best fiber protection
effect.
Storage Yellowing
Quench AYXL:
 Protective agent for the prevention of yellowing of Polyamide goods during
storage caused by phenolic substances and the oxides of nitrogen.
 Prevents phenolic yellowing of polyamide goods during storage by blocking the
free amino end groups of polyamide fibres

Neutrox CT:
Neutrox CT on nylon/ polyester helps prevent storage yellowing

 Blocking free amino groups on nylon fibers

 Nitrophenol derivatives that prevent fiber from absorbing butylated
hydroxytoluene 

Allenol PYP:
 Prevents all kind of Polyamide fibres and its blend with Elastomeric fibres
against yellowing by pollutants.
 Applicable for preventing phenolic yellowing by BHT Yellowing by BHT : The
BHT (2,6 –Dibutyl-hydroxy-toluene) which is very often used as an antioxidant in
plastic bags is the main cause of the sporadic yellowing on white and pastel
made-up garments wrapped in such PE-bags.
Nox/ Ozone Fading / Yellowing
Aquasorb OZ:
 It is a  fatty acid amido amine softener used to protect indigo dyestuff against
ozone & Nox fading.
 It prevents fading of denim due to ultraviolet radiation, ozone & nitrogen oxide -
“photochemical smog”.

Photo Yellowing
Quench APB:
 Quench APB is used to prevent photo yellowing of wool & other natural fibres
which is undergoing photo fading when exposed to sunlight.
 When wool carpets are exposed to light, particularly sunlight, visible colour
changes can sometimes be observed, particularly in pastel shades. This effect,
known as photobleaching or red shift, may be observed soon after a carpet is laid, a
period when consumers are particularly sensitive to product performance.  The
effect is particularly noticeable when furniture is moved, revealing a colour
difference between the areas of carpet which have been exposed to light and those
which have not.
Products At A Glance
Product Thermal Storage Ozone/NOx Photo
Yellowing yellowing Yellowing yellowing

Altranol GR √ -- -- --

Allenol PYP -- √ -- --

Neutrox CT -- √ -- --

Neutrox PAT -- √ -- --

Quench APB -- -- -- √

Quench AYXL -- √ -- --

Quench UWP √ -- -- --

Aquasorb OZ -- -- √ --

Aquasorb HIS -- -- √ --
 L. N. CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES

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