Abstract
Degumming is an essential process to improve the luster and smoothness of the silk filament. Silk varieties were degummed using different methods. A number of methods, from pad-steam to specific alkaline are being used for this propose. In this paper an attempt to compare the efficiencies of different degumming processes has been made. from the results, it may be observed that when silk fabrics were pad-steam, the degree of degumming, as assessed by weight loss. When the pad-steam degumming was carried out at different pHs, adjusted using alkalies, it was observed that at higher pH the weight loss is high. Pad-steam degumming as well as star degumming was found to be superior with minimum damage to the substrate. Among the alkalis used, the sodium carbonate gives the best results, since the weight loss is almost maximum with lower strength loss by over degumming. It is also efficient from the point of view of conservation of heat energy and time as against the comparable star degumming.
