Low Stress Mechanical Properties of Silk Fabric Degummed by Different Methods

Mulberry silk fabric has been degummed by using five different methods (acid, alkali, triethylamine, soap and enzyme) and the results compared in terms of handle properties. Low stress mechanical properties tested on the KESF system have been used to evaluate the hand values. Soap has been taken as the standard method of degumming and the other treatments have been compared with this method. Significant differences in the low stress properties have been observed for the different treatments. Soap, alkali and TEA methods score over the acid and enzymatic methods in terms of handle properties, Low shear and surface properties characterise the acid and enzyme degummed samples indicating non-uniform removal of gum from the interlacing areas. The whiteness index has also been measured.