Lab Experiment 11

INDEX

WHITNESS

Name:
Score:

Student idi:
Signature of Lab Tutor:

Date:

TO DETERMINE WHITNESS INDEX OF BLEACHING FBRIC

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
Upon the successful completion of this experiment, the students will be able to:
(i)
(ii)

Whiteness index and its measurement

Working of spectrophotometer

MACHINES/MATERIAL REQUIRED
Spectrophotometer
Bleached Samples
DISCUSSION
Whiteness index is a measure of the whiteness of the fabric which determines
extent of bleaching performed on the fabric. More often, it can be said that, it is
quantitative analysis of the amount of natural pigments removed from the cotton or
extent of natural color removed from fabric.
More the impurities are removed, higher will be the degree of whiteness and higher
will be value of whiteness index.
This degree of whiteness is measured with the help of color measuring
spectrophotometer. The principle of operation of this equipment is simply
calculation of ratio of the reflected light to incident light from a sample at many
points across the visible spectrum. This ratio is called reflectance. Reflectance
percentage can be calculated by the formula given below:
Reflectance= reflected light/ incident light x 100
Whiteness index of the normal bleached fabric ranges from 60to 75 or up maximum
of 80 degrees. A pure white paper may have a degree of whiteness of about 150.
Higher values of whiteness can be achieved with application of Fluorescent
Brightening Agent; generally called FBAs.
The simple principle by which these whitening agent increase whiteness is that,
they absorb UV light and they emit in the visible (blue region); this phenomenon is
generally called Fluorescence.
With the application of FBAs, degree of whiteness of the fabric may be increased up
to 120 to 125.

PROCEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.

Turn on the spectrophotometer and set it to specific software.

Calibrate the spectrophotometer with the tiles provided.
Select whiteness index to be calculated.
Clear the fluff, threads and creases (if any) from the sample and fit it properly
on the sample holder.
Determine the selected whiteness index using spectrophotometer.

5.

TEST RESULTS
Sample No.

CIE Whiteness
Index

Burger Whiteness Index

FBA applied
sample

Pure white
paper

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is whiteness and how it is measured?

2. Discuss effect of FBAs on the whiteness of substrate?

3. Define whiteness index?

FINAL CHECK LIST

1. Clean your machinery equipment/materials and workbench before you leave.
2. Ensure the replacement of all equipments to their specified storage area.
3. Submit your answers to questions together with your data, calculation and
result before the next laboratory/ equipment.