Some Observations on the Effect of Urea on the Dyeing Behaviour of Wool at Low Temperatures

The effect of adding urea to the dyebath on the rate of absorption of reactive and acid dyes by wool, and of acid dyes by other protein bres, has been studied. Possible modesof action of aqueous solutions of urea on wool are discussed. The observed increase in the ite of dyeing in the presence of urea is due to disaggregation of the dye in solution and reduction in dye‐protein hydrophobic interactions. The action of urea in promoting fibre swelling is also likely to be a contributory factor.