Turmeric Dyeing of Silk Fabric

IntroductionWhen the solution is prepared in acidic liquid it would
In recent years the usage of natural dyes and colorsproduce yellow dye and when alkali liquid is used it
for fabric dyeing has witnessed its revival due towould produce red dye.
hazardous experience due to effects of syntheticTime for dye extraction:
dyes and chemicals. The natural dyes are eco-friendly,In order to extract the dye, aqueous mode is utilized.
harmless and non-toxic in nature. Also, the usage ofThe dye is examined for its evenness and color shade
renewable sources of energy in textile and apparelby quality control supervisors before applying to the
industry has been increased due to many advantagesfabric. The turmeric powder is which is one gram is
associated with it. Solar energy usage for dyeingdiluted with 100 ml of water. Four such solutions are
purpose is a cost effective method. In hot countries likeprepared. Each one is boiled for four different time
India, the sun shines bright for 60% of the day, usingperiod i.e. 20, 40, 60 and 80 minutes in a solar cooker.
solar energy to dye silk fabric with turmeric dye isTime taken for dyeing:
cheap and environment friendly method.The optimum dye solution is utilized to standardize the
Things requireddye concentration. The dyes undergo the procedure
There are certain things required in order to dye theof absorption in the solar cooker time ranging from
silk with turmeric dye which are listed as follows-30-180 minutes. The absorption power of the silk fabric
turmeric plant stems, raw silk fabric yarn, diluted nitric &determines the dyeing time
acetic acid and mordants like alum & stannous chloride.Concentration of acid:
Before applying the dye to the fabric the process ofThe two acids used for dilution are acetic and nitric
removing sericin from silk is done. Here the silk fabric isacid. From each of diluted acid, 20 ml is mixed into the
first treated with ezee kept in it for approximately onedye bath. The dyes are examined for their absorption
hour then washed and dried. This whole process ispower. This examination is done visually.
known as degumming.Mordants usage:
Enhancing of dyeing parametersThe mordants discussed earlier Alum and Stannous
To dye the silk fabric with turmeric dyes certainchloride are used here. The process of dyeing and
procedures are to be followed. The dye dilution, themordanting are done together. Both these mordants
time taken for its extraction, time for dyeing, amount ofare mixed with water which results into optimized
mordant used and mordanting process are to bemordants.
taken care of to result into turmeric dyed silk fabricsProcedure for mordanting:
which is evenly dyed with no color patches orThere are two methods in mordanting premordanting
differences in shade.and postmordanting. The pre-requisite of this process
Not only yellow color is produced through dyeing withis to keep other things like dyeing time, acid
turmeric dyeing but also many other colors areconcentration, etc. steady. By looking at the dyes the
produced when turmeric dye is mixed with othermethod of mordanting i.e. pre or postmordanting to be
colors, like - orange, green, blue color with addition ofused is decided.
indigo and red color with addition of safflowers andThey are also categorized by the generations as they
mango rind.were produced in the different years and known as
You might think how both red and yellow colors arefirst generation, second generation, third generation or
produced through turmeric dye in its original form, thefourth generation fibres.
answer lies in the type of liquid used for concentration.