Effect of Surfactant on Homogeneity of Partially Degummed Silk Fiber

Abstract

Silk has always been one of the most favored textile materials. Fully degummed silkfiber (i.e., silk fibers without sericin) shows better luster than raw silk fiber (with sericin);it is also softer. On the other hand, raw silk fiber feels cooler because of the presence ofsericin, making it useful as a textile for the summer season. Recently, partially degummedsilk has attracted researchers’ attention because it provides better luster, feel, and dyeingproperties. However, the partial degumming of silk is very difficult because it results ininhomogeneously degummed fiber. In the present study, silk yarns were degummedwith surfactant aqueous solutions and the effects of each surfactant on the degummingratio, crystallinity, and homogeneity of the degummed silk yarn were examined. Thedegumming ratio and crystallinity index of silk yarn varied depending on the type ofsurfactant. On the whole, anionic surfactants resulted in higher degumming ratios andbetter homogeneity than nonionic surfactants.