Melkie Getnet Tadesse - Department of Textile Engineering,Bahir Dar University, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Castor oil is one of the most versatile plant oils. In future, with the rising environmental concerns and the need for bio-based products to replace synthetic wetting agents, castor oil and oil oleochemicals have the potential to be used in many industries. This paper carried out experimental study, through sulfation (by H2SO4) and neutralization of refined castor oil (by NaOH). The characterization analysis revealed that tested parameters, which include concentration, acid value, saponification value and iodine value for refined castor oil produced, were within the ASTM standard specifications. The iodine value obtained of the refined oil indicates that the oil could certainly be used as wetting agent and dyeing facilitator. The oil was modified via sulphation method to produce Turkey – red oil that was tested on cotton fabric dyeing. The test revealed that the TRO produced is suitable for dyeing for cotton fabric by using vat dyes.

E Castor oil,sulphation,dyeing, Turkey red oil