UV-Protection properties of cotton/synthetic fabrics printed/dyed with natural pigments

The UV protection properties of cotton fabrics printed with ten natural colorants of plant and insect origin were investigated. The ability of the printed sample to reduce UV radiation transmittance differed widely from excellent to practically zero depending on the pigment used. The above pigment behaviour was correlated with their chemical structure and their UV-absorption spectra. UV radiation protection provided by synthetic fabrics polyester, acrylic, polyamide dyed with natural dyes has also been studied. UV radiation protection values vary with the fibre and the dye used from insufficient to excellent with the dyed/undyed polyester fabric presenting excellent values apparently due to a UV absorbing agent built-in the mass of polyester.