Value Addition to Silk Floss
Loading...
Date
2016-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad
Abstract
The present investigation on “Value Addition to Silk Floss” was conducted during 2014-16 with the objectives to explore the possibility of spinning blended yarn and union fabrics from silk floss, to assess the physical, mechanical and functional and tactile properties of blended yarns and union fabrics, to calculate the cost of production of blended fabrics. Silk floss was cleaned and blended with cotton by stack method in the ratio of 50/50 and 70/30 cotton/silk floss and 100 % silk floss, spun into yarn using foot operated Medleri charkha. Developed yarns were subjected to physical properties viz., yarn count, yarn twist, tenacity, elongation and yarn evenness. It revealed that, cotton/silk (50/50) floss blended yarn exhibited highest count (8.4 Ne) and yarn evenness (16 nos/m), cotton/silk floss (70/30) blended yarn showed highest twist (10.73) and tenacity (0.57 kgf), 100 per cent pure silk floss yarn exhibited highest elongation per cent (9.94 %).
Yarns were further subjected to weaving taken as weft and cotton yarn (2/20s) was taken as warp to develop the union fabrics. Developed blended union fabrics were subjected to geometrical, performance, durability and comfort properties. It revealed that control sample showed higher cloth density and air permeability (56.44 m3/m2/sec) and weft way elongation per cent. Cotton x cotton/silk floss (70/30) blended union fabric exhibited highest weight (296.8 g) and thickness, shrinkage, crease recovery, pilling, abrasion cycles, tensile strength, thermal insulation value (51.40 tog), warp way elongation per cent (21.98 %). Stiffness (91.6 degree) and drape coefficient (48.54 %) of cotton x cotton/silk floss (50/50) blended union fabric attained highest values. Tactile properties were assessed i.e., textural, appearance and handle from 25 textile experts. Control sample was ranked 1 by majority of the respondents. Production cost of cotton x cotton/silk floss (70/30) blended union fabric was high Rs. 449/ m.