A STUDY ON BLENDING OF MULBERRY SILK WASTE WITH COTTON, POLYESTER, VISCOSE RAYON AND ACRYLIC
Loading...
Files
Date
1991
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ANDHRA PRADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD
Abstract
The annually available silk waste in the
country amounts to 3,286 tonnes of which more than 90
per cent accounts for mulberry silk waste. If this is
utilised properly through appropriate channels, it can
earn a good amount of foreign exchange besides providing
employment to a large section of the population.
Also, there is a great demand for silk mixed/blended
fabrics due to the recent hike in prices of raw silk.
The high unit value of silk necessitates development of
low cost products by blending, thus keeping it within
the reach of a large section of population in the
country.
Keeping this in view, the present study to
blend mulberry silk waste with cotton, polyester,
viscose rayon and acrylic in 50:50 proportion along
with 100 per cent mulberry silk waste was taken up.
The objectives of the study were to make serviceability
assessment, to determine the best blend, to k.now the
consumer acceptability and to estimate the cost of
production of the test fabrics. The silk waste was
first processed, blended and then hand s~un into a
yarn. Blending of the silk waste with cotton was not
feasible on the available devices. The test fabrics
were woven in plain weave using the same yarn for both
warp and weft for dress material. Yarn and fabric
testing were carried out to make the serviceability
}\ 11
assessment of the blends. The best blend was determined
based on the weightage of ranks received for all
the characteristics under study. The four test samples
were displayed before a panel of 30 judges for
assessing the consumer acceptability.
The results of the subjective evaluation
revealed that polyester blend received maximum scores
for all the characteristics under study ·and was
preferred best by the consumers. The consumers felt
that the test fabrics were best suited for making
kameez, waist coat and kurta. The laboratory tests
revealed that the tear strength, tensile strength and
crease recovery were found to be better in 100 per cent
silk waste fabric.
The 50 per cent silk waste and 50 per cent
polyester was considered to be the best blend due to
the aesthetic appeal, reasonable cost and general
characteristics among the four test fabrics. Little
difference was observed in the production cost of the
four test fabrics. The average 2ost of production of
each blend amounted to Rs.18.71/m. The cost went up
G~~ to high weaving charges as the production can be
increased by using finer count which will prevent the
11umber of breaks encountered while weaving, thus lowering
the cost. The cost can be further got down by
taking up production on a large scale.
The findings of the study lead to the conclusion
that blending of mulberry silk waste with
polyester, viscose rayon and acrylic proved to have
both economical and functional advantages to the
consumer.
Description
Keywords
null