Direct dyes metallic salts after-treatment

Direct dyes have only modest fastness to washing, which may be improved by after-treatments such as metal-complex formation (section 5.5.3) or by diazotisation of the dye on the fibre and further coupling of the diazonium salt with an insoluble coupling component (section 1.6.14). In addition to their use on cotton and viscose, direct dyes are important in the dyeing of leather. The cheapest members of this class are also used in the coloration of paper, since for this purpose fastness properties are largely irrelevant and price is all-important. 

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