Aluminium TriFormate is a gentle cold-use mordant for the bucket method (weight per liter, not per fiber) for cellulose (hemp, cotton, viscose) and protein fibers (silk and wool). The advantages of using Aluminium TriFormate are: can be used cold, the fabric does not go 'bad' or smelly so you can leave it in the bucket of mordant (closed) for weeks until you are ready to use it.
Make a 2% solution with (at most) 50 °C warm water. That is 20 grams of powder per liter of water.
200 grams of Aluminium Tri-Formate will mordant around 7 kilos of fabric.
How to make 10 liters of aluminium trformate solution:
10 × 20 g = 200 g of Aluminium Triformate are weighed and added to a bucket with warm water. Stir.
For smaller amounts (3-5 liter), the powder is dissolved in warm water (approx. 40-60 ºC) and then topped up with cold water.
The mordant can be used immediately.
Time in the mordant;
At 50ºC 1-2 hours. At room temperature 8 hours.
There is no upper limit for mordanting times, so you could keep your fiber in the bucket and leave it there until you need it.
The next batch of fabric can be mordanted in the same bucket. Times needed will extend each time you use up a bit of the mordant. Top up water if needed.
Safety; Irritating fumes and organic acid vapors may develop when the material is exposed to elevated temperatures or open flame, this mordant is not meant to be heated over 50ºC
Use gloves and a face mask when handling fine powders.
Disposal; after the use of the mordant what is left is a harmless weak alum and weak formic acid that can be flushed through a soak away or the sewer system.
Aluminium Tri Formate - Cold Mordant
Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage. Maintain a constant temperature not to exceed 24° C. (75° F.). Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.
Heath and Safety
Do not ingest. Do not breathe dust. Wear protective gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask when handling fine dye powders and mordants.
WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED.
Environmental Hazards
Natural dye powders are no environmental concern. Mordants and mordanted dye baths should be disposed in a sensible way according to your local waste disposal laws.
