We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Mordant?

By Alex Newth
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,039
Share

A mordant is a substance used in fabric and tissue dyeing that allows the dye to stick to the substrate. Clothing and tissue samples can be dyed without a mordant, and the dye may appear quite vivid. If the clothing or tissue is exposed to water, though, the dye will wash right off. Mordants work by creating a coordination complex, or a metallic bonding, with the dyeing substance. Many substances are called mordants, and they fulfill the same role, but they are not technically mordants; true mordants are metal molecules with a valency of two or higher and most commonly three.

When a piece of fabric or a tissue sample is dyed, it is treated with a staining substance. This substance is able to change the color of the fabric or tissue, making the fabric more appealing to wear and the tissue easier to see under a microscope. While the dye will hold tightly to the fabric or tissue, water is able to quickly rinse the dye away, making the dye temporary.

Mordants are used to ensure the permanence of a dye. A mordant is a substance that is used in conjunction with the dye to chemically bond the dye to the surface. This is done through a coordination complex. In a coordination complex, metallic atoms from the mordant bond with the nearby dye, creating a powerful bond that water cannot easily disintegrate.

There are three ways to apply a mordant. In pre-mordanting, the substrate encounters the mordant and is dyed afterward. Meta-mordanting combines mordants and dyes, so both are mixed together in the same dye bath. Post-mordanting is the process of introducing the mordant after the substrate is dyed.

Many substances used during the dyeing process are called mordants but are not truly mordants. These are trapping agents, which inhibit the removal of dye, while mordants are able to entirely stop the removal. Trapping agents are often non-metals, and they can be used with a larger variety of dyes.

True mordants must be metallic. The metal's valency, or the ability to make chemical bonds, must be two or higher. Commonly, metals such as iron and aluminum are used as mordants, and both of these metals have a valency of three. Metal is needed to create the intense bond between the mordant and dye because, otherwise, the coordination complex cannot be completed.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-mordant.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.