Natural Dyes for Silk Fabric

Abstract

Dyeing is usually among the last processes of the long time of manufacturing operations that leads to an end product that can make or mark the aesthetic appeal of the fabrics. The environment - friendly vegetable dyes and natural dyes are enjoying resurgence in popularity as a result of concerns with the carcinogenic, rryjtagenic and sensitizing characteristics of synthetic dyes. The present study was taken up to dye the silk fabric with natural dye sources - arecanut and teak and assess the colour fastness properties of dyed material. Four mordants viz. Potash alum, Potassium dichromate, Copper sulphate, Ferrous sulphate were selected. The samples were subjected to colour fastness tests using the following BIS standards: Colour fastness to washing, rubbing, sunlight and Colour fastness rating: Grey scale for evaluating change in colour and staining. The results revealed that all the arecanut dyed samples simultaneously and post mordanted with 1% potassium dichromate, 10% potash alum and 2% copper sulphate gave excellent results for colour fastness to washing, rubbing and sunlight. In general teak dyed sample, simultaneously mordanted with 5% alum and 1% potassium dichromate, copper sulphate and ferrous sulphate exhibited excellent to good colour fastness results.