Thermal comfort properties of silk fabrics dyed using natural extracts

Abstract

In this study, commercially acquired mulberry silk cut filaments are processed into 100% spun silk yarns and subsequently woven into fabrics using traditional underpick looms with uniform warp and weft. The fabrics are dyed with pomegranate peels without mordanting. Twenty-seven silk fabric samples are produced, with varying dye concentrations and dyeing durations (1-3 concentrations across 3, 6, and 12 h). The investigation aims to analyse the effect of dyeing parameters on the thermal comfort properties of the resulting fabrics, thereby offering insights into dye-fibre interactions and their influence on the final thermal characteristics. The results prove that the samples dyed at lesser concentrations, shorter durations and under lowered pH conditions possess better thermal comfort properties