Research And Application of Thermal Sublimation Fabric

#Introduction

Along with continuous development and progress of science and technology, the improvement of consumers' demand for personalized and fashionable requirements, thermal sublimation technology has been widely applied in textile industries. Thermal sublimation refers to a process in which the heating of a solid dye into a gaseous state penetrates into the surface or interior of the fiber. This is very suitable for synthetic fibers, especially polyester fabrics. The dyeing in the process of sublimation dyeing can combine with the fibre molecules to form a stable dye effect through chemical combination. It is bright in color and high in fastness with no pollution. It can save energy in the dyeing process. Next, it will introduce the use of thermal sublimation technology in fabrics; it will include principle, advantages, choice of fabrics, and trend of future development.

#Principle of Thermal Sublimation Technology

So-called thermal sublimation dyeing refers to the fact that under the conditions of high temperature and pressure, the dye in solid can be transformed into gas directly, while the gaseous dye can penetrate into the fiber directly. It consists of three major processes:

1. **Dye sublimation**: heating of the solid dye to the sublimation temperature so that the dye molecules are straight transformed from solid to gaseous state.

2. **Dye adsorption**: dye gas contacts fibre surface and penetrates into the fibre through heat conduction and molecular movement.

3. ** dyeing fixed color ** : After the process of heating up and pressurizing, the dye and fiber molecules will be combined chemically or physically to form a firm dyeing effect.

This process is mainly applied to the synthetic fibers like polyester because their molecular structure has good adsorbability of sublimation dyes.  

#The characteristics and advantages of thermal sublimation fabric

Thermal sublimation fabrics have the following significant characteristics and advantages:

1. ** Bright color **: Because the sublimation dye can penetrate into the fiber completely in the gaseous state, after dyeing, the color looks full and more saturated. Especially suitable for complex patterns and multi-tone designs.

2. **High dyeing fastness**: heat sublimation dyeing can form a stable dyeing effect, and high light fastness, wash fastness, and friction fastness can be achieved due to the strong binding force of dyes and fibers.

3. ** Environmental protection and energy saving **: There will be no use of large amounts of water and chemical additives or harmful solvents during sublimation dyeing. It greatly reduces the pollution to the environment. Besides, the high efficiency of the dyeing process also reduces energy consumption with good environmental protection and economy.

4. ** Anhydrous dyeing **: Compared with the traditional washing dyeing technology, thermal sublimation dyeing does not use water, which avoids a large quantity of wastewater discharge and reduces the waste of water resources.

5. ** Strong adaptability ** : Thermal sublimation technology is adaptive to various kinds of textiles, and especially is suitable for polyester, nylon, etc synthetic fibre. Multi-color complex pattern and gradual effect, most could be directly and easily realized through thermal sublimation dyeing technology; especially sportswear, advertising logo, fashion apparel are suitable.

#Suitable for thermal sublimation dyeing fabrics

The essence of the thermal sublimation technique lies in its requirement for fibers; only those fibers that can interact well with sublimed dyes can exhibit an ideal dyeing effect using this technology. Common fabrics that can be applied with the thermal sublimation technique include:

1. **Polyester (Polyester) Fabric**: Polyester fabric is the preferred material for thermal sublimation printing. The molecular structure of the polyester fiber is similar to that of the thermal sublimation dye, and hence it can be well adsorbed and fixed by the dye to form a bright color and strong dyeing effect. In the market, polyester fabrics are normally utilized for sportswear, advertising banners, swimwear, and so on.

2. **Nylon Fabric**: Though the absorbing property of nylon for thermal sublimation dyes is not as good as polyester, through special treatment, it can also gain some thermal sublimation dyeing effect. Nylon fabric has been widely used in both fashion wear and sporting equipment.

3. ** Polyester/cotton blended fabric ** : polyester/cotton blended fabric has good moisture absorption and comfort, but also can adapt to thermal sublimation dyeing technology to a certain extent, especially for low temperature sublimation process, can obtain better dyeing effect.

4. ** Other synthetic fibers ** : such as polyamide, polypropylene and other parts of synthetic fibers, after modified or composite treatment can also use the application of thermal sublimation dyeing technology.

#The application field of thermal sublimation fabric

With the continuous development of thermal sublimation technology, thermal sublimation fabrics have been widely used in many fields, mainly including:

1. **Sports and Sportswear**: this thermal sublimation dyeing technology will give sportswear and sport shoes, etc. high-quality patterns with bright color to enhance the durability and comfort of the fabric. Thermal sublimation fabrics are liked in certain sports like football, basketball, and running due to their excellent air permeability and absorption of moisture.

2. ** Advertisement and signs **: Since the thermal sublimation technology can easily realise the printings of big area and complicated patterns, many enterprises make use of thermal sublimation fabrics producing flags and banners for advertisement and other signboards with remarkable visual effect.

3. ** Interior decoration **: Heat sublimation technology has found a wide application field in interior decoration, especially in curtains, bed sheeting, carpets, and other products. Colorful and durable heat sublimation fabrics enhance the beauty and personalization of interior decoration.

4. ** Fashion clothes **: With the development of demand for personalized customization, sublimation thermal technology is applied to the field of fashion clothes; consumers can get their own unique design of clothes through sublimation thermal technology.

#Problems and development trends of thermal sublimation technology

Even though heat sublimation technology has great advantages, there are some deficiencies in practical usage:

1. ** Applicable fabrics are limited **: Thermal sublimation technology is mainly suitable for synthetic fibers, and the adaptability of natural fibers (such as cotton, hemp, silk, etc.) is poor, so material selection has to be made under certain limitations.

2. ** Cost problems **: Thermal sublimation dyeing requires special equipment and higher process requirements. Therefore, in some cases, the initial investment and production costs are high.

3. ** Ecology **: Although the process is more eco-friendly than traditional dyeing methods, it still consumes energy and volatilizes dye, and this technology will be in need of further development into more effective and greener technologies that provide lower impacts.

#Conclusion

Thermal sublimation fabrics, as efficient and eco-friendly, colorful dyeing technology, are widely used in the modern textile industry. With the increasing demand for personalization and fashion, thermal sublimation technology will be applied more and more in such areas as sports apparel, advertising decoration, household goods, etc. Though there is some barrier, the improvement of technology will be widely used in the textile industry continuously. In the future, the applicable materials are supposed to be broadened and the dyeing effect is supposed to be improved to further promote the sustainable development of the industry.

#### References

1. Xie, Y., & Liu, W. (2020). *Sublimation Dyeing of Polyester Fabrics:  Mechanism, Application, and Process Optimization*. Textile Research Journal, 90(15), 1699-1715.

2. Zhang, M., & Li, Z. (2022). *Sustainable Dyeing Techniques in Textile Industry:  A Review on Sublimation Dyeing of Synthetic Fibers*. Journal of Cleaner Production, 310, 127425.

3. Wang, J., & Zhao,  Y. (2023). *Advancements in Heat Transfer Printing and Sublimation Dyeing of Synthetic Textiles*. Journal of Industrial  Textiles, 53(1), 45-63.