Effect of Alkaline and Neutral Protease Enzyme Pretreatment Followed by Finishing Treatments on Performance Properties of Wool/Cotton Union Fabric: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Literature information on the application of protease enzyme pretreatment followed by finishing treatment on wool-blended textiles for improving their performance properties is still inadequate. Wool/cotton union fabric was pretreated with savinase and papain enzymes separately followed by finishing with nine different finishing combinations. Savinase pretreatment had an influencing effect on handle and smoothness properties while papain pretreatment had improved comfort and mechanical properties. Each finishing formulation gave specific performance property in addition to softness. It is concluded that savinase pretreatment followed by Sandosoft-SPG+Ceraperm-MW+Ceraperm-Aqua combination finishing could be used to impart both softening and comfort finish to the wool/cotton union fabric.

Keywords:

• wool
• cotton
• union fabric
• protease enzyme
• polysiloxane
• polyurethane
• hand value
• softening
• finishing

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author is thankful to Director, CSWRI, Avikanagar for his permission and granting study leave. Authors are also grateful to Principal and Head-Department of Chemistry, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore for providing facility and support in publication of this research work. The SEM facilities provided by Dr. Sam M. Hudson, Professor, North Carolina State University, USA and Dr. J. S. Lee, Hyosung Corporation, Gyeongi, South Korea are highly acknowledged.