Investigating the Feasibility of Developing Yarns and Socks from Corn Silk Fibers

The growing demand for sustainable and functional textiles has prompted exploration of novel natural fibers from agricultural by-products. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing corn silk fibers, an abundant agro-waste from corn processing, as a blend component with cotton for yarn and knitted product development. Corn silk fibers were blended with cotton to produce ring-spun yarns, which exhibited tenacity, elongation, and hairiness comparable to pure cotton yarns. The tenacity and elongation of the cotton yarn were 16 cN/Tex and 5.46%, while those of cotton–corn silk yarns were 14 cN/tex and 4.98%, respectively. However, the unevenness (U%) of the cotton–corn silk yarn was 14.83% while that of the cotton control yarn was 10.06%. These blended yarns were successfully knitted into socks. The resulting socks demonstrated satisfactory performance in abrasion resistance, absorbency, vertical wicking, color fastness to washing, and moisture content, comparable to pure cotton socks, indicating viable processability and dyeability. The abrasion tests of the socks developed from both the yarns showed no thinning or hole formation until 10,000 abrasion cycles. This work establishes the technical feasibility of corn silk–cotton blends and highlights their potential for future research into medicinal or functional textile applications, such as antibacterial or anti-odor properties.