Influence of Natural Dyes on Surface Roughness of Eastern Redcedar

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate surface quality of Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginana L.) samples finished with natural dye produced from the Madder root (Rubia tinctorium L.] with two kinds of mordants, ferrous sulfate (Fe-2(SO4)(3)center dot 7H(2)O) with technical grade 96% purity, supplied by Merck and alum KAl2(SO4)(3)center dot 18H(2)O (puriss. p.a. Fulka). Surface roughness of the control and finished samples were measured employing a fine stylus type profilometer resulted in two parameters, namely average roughness (Ra) and mean peak-to-valley height (Rz). Finishing materials were applied to the surface of the samples by soaking with and without using ultrasound in a tank. Average value of Ra taken from the surface of unfinished control samples and finished samples were 2.60 mu m and 3.25 mu m, respectively. It appears that natural dye with alum and ferrous sulfate used as dying materials did not adversely influence overall surface quality of the samples. Based on the initial findings in this work such root dye would have potential as eco-friendly non-toxic colorant to extend the service life of product manufactured from Eastern redcedar.