The photodegradation behavior of some azo and anthraquinone disperse d
yes was investigated in solution in the presence of polyester arm comp
ared with that on polyester fiber. Ethyl acetate as a solvent, a solub
le polyester of low molecular weight as a typical model of polyester f
iber, and monochromatic light of various wavelengths as light source w
ere employed in the investigation. The influence of added polyester, d
issolved oxygen, and of an ultraviolet absorber on the photodegradatio
n of the dyes was studied to gain an insight into the nature of the ph
otofading of the dyes on polyester fiber. It was found that the result
s obtained in polyester-containing solution correlated very well to th
ose on polyester fiber. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.