Wool fibre and fabric have been treated with liquid ammonia and their
surface characteristics investigated by means of SEM and ESCA techniqu
es. The treated specimens were dyed with levelling and milling acid dy
es. Although no changes in nitrogen content and fibre surface properti
es were detected, their dyeing rate was increased considerably as was
saturation dye exhaustion. Dyeing properties were similar to those of
wool treated with low-temperature plasmas by glow discharge. Fabrics t
reated with liquid ammonia were dyed at various temperatures in the ra
nge 30-80 degrees C, and dye uptake was similarly increased.