Application of natural dyes on eri silk - An approach towards sustainability

摘要

The article comprehensively reviews the recent significant advances in the natural dyeing of eri silk. Dye obtained from leaves of Datura stramonium applied on bleached eri silk yarns has been subjected to pre, post and simultaneous mordanting with selected mordants namely alum, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate and stannous chloride. Colouring of eri silk with tea leaves as a natural dye makes the natural grey or beige colour of eri silk more attractive. Various dyeing conditions were optimised with the use of different mordants and colour fastness properties of the fabrics were determined and it was found that all the mordants showed maximum absorption in simultaneous mordanting method. Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (tea leaves), Allium cepa L. (onion peel), Laccifer lacca Kerr (lac insect) and iron ore are used as natural dyes in presence of different natural mordanting agents for dyeing of Eri silk yarns.