Development of Structurally Modified Less Wrinkle and High Drape Soft Silk Fabric

Abstract

In India, high-quality silk fabrics are nearly exclusively made from the highly prized textile fibre of animal origin known as silk. Silk sarees and materials for clothing are sold in a variety of stores. The majority of these retail stores are constantly searching for various types of silk materials to advertise as unique goods. Central Silk Technological Research Institute (CSTRI) continuously works in this field to offer the silk industry a variety of silk yarns and fabrics produced under eco-friendly tags. In one such attempt, CSTRI developed a wet processing technique with a user-friendly chemical, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, by optimizing the process parameter such as time, temperature and chemical concentration. The comfort properties of the fabric were improved by modifying the secondary structure of the fibroin protein that was ascertained by Raman and C-13 NMR spectroscopies. Significantly higher drape and crease recovery properties were measured by Kawabata and FTT analysis. The products were developed in commercial scales (beside their costing) and displayed for 21 days to assess the market potential in terms of subjective assessment, product preference and price. The survey findings were statistically analysed using Minitab and Python software. The project findings in unequivocal terms recommend the chemical process using the safe chemical to treat the grey-finished fabrics to have improved utility, durability and comfort properties.