A Study on Silk and Its Mixed Fabric for Functional Properties

Silk is a valuable protein fiber in the textile industry. It is used for delicate applications in many areas, such as in sarees, suitings, curtains, and luxurious interiors. Lyocell textiles are categorized as cellulose polymeric products of natural fibers. They have their individual uses in the textile, apparel, and garment fields. Polyester (PET) is a synthetic textile with very good resistance towards chemical and microbial attacks. To diversify its properties and usages, silk is mixed with polyester and lyocell. The fabrics are dyed with both natural dyes (kum kum, indigo, bar berry) and synthetic dyes (reactive dye (H), reactive dye (M), and sulfur dye). This mixed fabric is compared with 100 % silk for some of the basic properties, like k/s value, fastness property, antimicrobial property, air permeability, UV-protection behavior, and SEM analysis. The silk mixed fabric gives appreciable results compared with the 100 % silk fabric.