Chrome-free Retanning and Dyeing Technology for Rabbit Fur Based on Aluminum-Zirconium Complexes

A chrome-free retanning and dyeing technology for rabbit fur based on aluminum-zirconium complexes was developed to solve the problem of large amounts of chrome-containing wastewater generated from traditional rechroming and dyeing technology. The aluminum-zirconium complexes formula and the retanning conditions were optimized. The high-temperature dyeing performance and the physical properties of rabbit fur retanned by aluminum-zirconium complexes were compared with those of chrome retanned fur. The optimized aluminum-zirconium complexes formula was that citric acid was used as the ligand, and the mass ratio of aluminum sulfate to zirconium sulfate was 4:6. The shrinkage temperature of rabbit fur retanned by aluminum-zirconium complexes reached 88 ℃ when retanning was performed using 4.0 g/L complexes at 35 ℃ for 180 min, and the pH was basified to 4.0. The aluminum-zirconium complexes retanned rabbit fur can meet the dyeing requirements for light-colored fur under relatively low dyeing temperature (50-60 ℃) and short dyeing time. The dyed rabbit fur exhibited brighter colors and comparable physical properties compared with those retanned by chrome tanning agent.