Liquor Ratio
Liquor ratio is the ratio that indicates the amount of processing liquor used in processes such as dyeing, scouring, and washing, relative to the weight of the textile product being treated.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Liquor ratio is a process control value that expresses the relationship between the amount of processing liquor, such as dyeing liquor or washing liquor, and the weight of the textile, yarn, or product being treated. It is generally written in the form of "1:30," meaning that 30 liters of processing liquor are used per 1 kilogram of the item being treated.
It is not a term that indicates the weave structure, fabric weight, or blend ratio itself. It is used when setting the chemical concentration and liquor circulation conditions in dyeing, scouring, washing, and resin dissolution.
Effect on Processing
When the liquor ratio changes, the concentration in the processing liquor changes even if the same amount of chemicals is used. For this reason, it may affect dye and auxiliary penetration, dye uptake progress, washing efficiency, and the hand of the finished product.
A low liquor ratio refers to processing under conditions that use a small amount of liquor. While it can help reduce water and thermal energy use, if the textile cannot move sufficiently inside the machine or the liquor cannot circulate evenly, it may lead to dyeing irregularities or processing unevenness.
- Liquor ratio is related to setting the concentration of dyes and auxiliaries.
- The appropriate conditions vary depending on the fiber type, amount of textile, and machine capacity.
- Even with a low liquor ratio, levelness and colorfastness do not automatically improve.
Main Applications
Liquor ratio is confirmed not only in dyeing rolls and yarn but also in wet processing such as scouring, bleaching, soaping, and product washing. It is not an indicator that directly classifies garment applications or seasons; it is managed as a production condition in the processing stage.
Liquor ratio may also be shown as a guide to the required amount of water in processes that dissolve water-soluble resins. Because the liquid volume is calculated based on the weight of the processing target, it must also be checked when the treated quantity differs between prototyping and mass production.
Handling and Verification Notes
Liquor ratio alone does not determine final shrinkage, shade, hand, or wash durability. Manage the material, pre-treatment condition, dyes and auxiliaries, temperature, time, liquor circulation, drying, and finishing conditions together.
Before mass production, test under conditions close to the actual machine and planned lot size, and check color difference, dyeing irregularities, shrinkage rate, and colorfastness. When product dyeing or product washing is performed after sewing, also check in advance the heat resistance and chemical resistance of sewing thread and accessories.
Differences from Similar Terms
Liquor ratio is the ratio of processing liquor volume to the weight of the item being treated. Fabric weight is the weight per square meter of the textile, and density indicates how closely the yarns are packed in a woven fabric, so the subject matter is different.
Shrinkage rate is the rate of dimensional change after washing or processing and is a separate quality indicator from liquor ratio. However, changes in liquor ratio, which is a condition of wet processing, can cause differences in shrinkage rate and hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a liquor ratio of 1:30 mean?
Generally, it indicates a condition in which 30 liters of processing liquor are used for 1 kilogram of textile, yarn, or product being treated. However, because the calculation method may differ depending on the machine structure and process, check the definition in the processing instructions.
Does low liquor ratio dyeing improve the hand?
It cannot be said that hand improves simply because the liquor ratio is low. Since the reduction in liquor volume changes the chemical concentration and how the textile moves, design the conditions including the material, dyes, auxiliaries, temperature, time, and machine circulation performance, and confirm them through testing.
Is liquor ratio related to laundry care labels?
Liquor ratio is mainly a processing condition during manufacturing and is not an item directly stated on laundry care labels. However, the conditions for dyeing, washing, and finishing affect shrinkage rate and colorfastness, and are therefore relevant when checking quality for the final product care instructions.
