ffect of combined enzyme and amino silicone finishing treatment on moisture characteristics of jute/cotton knitted fabric

Abstract

This research work aims to increase the utilization of jute fibre in the commercial apparel sector by modifying its properties through silicone finishing treatment. In this work, a 40/60 jute/cotton blended yarn is flat knitted as single jersey fabric. The developed jute/cotton fabric is subjected to a combined enzyme and amino silicone finishing treatment to increase the softness of the fabric. Both the untreated and finished fabrics are evaluated for their moisture management ability as per standards. The findings show that the combined enzyme and amino silicone finishing treatment has significantly (p>0.05) influenced the moisture management properties of the knitted fabric. The one-way moisture transport capacity (OWTC) of the finished knitted fabric is rated as "very good" from "poor" (untreated). The overall moisture management capacity (OMMC) rating is also increased from "very poor" to "good" after finishing. The Pearson correlation analysis results reveal that the OWTC and OMMC indices are positively and linearly correlated to each other (r² = 0.999). The finishing process has modified the fabric properties from water repellent fabric to water absorption fabric. The findings of the research provide a new avenue for jute fibre as a component of day to day apparels.