Investigation of Properties of Silk Fiber Produced in Ethiopia

Abstract

The atmospheric conditions and other facilities to rear silk filaments are good in Ethiopia. In Awassa, Awash Melkassa, and Kombolcha silk rearing is started with good progress. The quality of the cocoons produced in the country is not determined in relation to commercial silk produced in major silk producing countries. So far there was no information available about the basic properties of silk filaments produced. In this research paper, the different physical properties of the eri and mulberry cocoon and their filaments were evaluated. Eri cocoons have shell ratio of approximately 14%, average fiber fineness of 3 dtex, and average weight of 3.2–3.3 g, while mulberry cocoons have raw silk ratio of 13-14%, average fiber fineness of 2 dtex, and average weight of 1.5 g. Even though the method of rearing, handling, and harvesting of the cocoons is poor, the physical properties of the silk produced in Ethiopia fall within the limits of commercial silk produced in major silk producing countries.