Optimization of Process Parameters for Wet Reeled Tasar Silk Yarn

Abstract: Tasar silk get a high acceptance from the Indian consumers due to its rustic look, eco-friendly production process, unique luster and strength in the current market scenario of Vanya Silk Sector. Wet reeled Tasar Silk yarn is currently more advantageous than Traditional practice of Dry reeled Tasar Silk yarn in terms of luster, strength. But there is a limitation of Tasar fabrics in terms of diversified products in different designs, colour combinations. Bleaching of Tasar yarn, fabrics are not bleached scientific manner thus cause an uneven dyeing. In this connection to that in this article an attempt was made to optimize the process parameters to meet the requirement of the Tasar Industry. Bleaching of Wet reeled Tasar Silk Yarn was carried out using Box and Behnken design of experiment with three levels of four independent variables Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration (g/l), Sodium Silicate Concentration (g/l), Boiling Temperature (0C) and duration of boiling (minutes). The effect of independent variables on dependent variables Tenacity (gm/den), Breaking Elongation (%) and Whiteness Index were studied. From the design of experiments, it was observed that 18 cc/l Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) of 30% w/v, 5 g/l Sodium Silicate (Na2SiO3) at 900C with 30 minutes time duration facilitates uniform degumming cum bleaching without significant deterioration of tensile properties.

Keywords: Bleaching, Degumming, Elongation, Tenacity, Whiteness Index, Wet reeled Tasar yarn