Silk – As Fiber and Fabric
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SILK – AS FIBER AND FABRIC Abstract Silk is the most beautiful and shiny natural fiber, that was founded by human civilization. It was first developed in ancient China, but spread gradually n to many regions of Asia. Silk is rightly regarded as Queen of textile fiber. Silk is a 100% natural fabric and natural protein fiber obtained from the cocoons. Out of the numerous species of silk moths, scientists have enumerated about 70 silk moths which are of some economic value. But of these only a very few have commercial value. The bulk of world silk supply comes from the silk moth Bombyx Mori which is domesticated/cultivated, the other varieties of silk Eri,Muga and Tasar are known as wild silk, as they are grown in remote forest trees in natural condition. Silk cocoon formation involves various stages Hatching of Eggs, Silk production by worm,Transition of the worm, cocoon formation and Raw Fiber is Obtained.This is subjected for chemical treatment like Degumming,Bleaching and Dyeing A wide range of silk fabrics are produced by using both Handloom and Power looms. Some of the popular silk fabric are Plain Silk Fabrics ,Dupion Fabrics , Charka Silk , Chiffon , Chinnon , Crepe or Crepe de Chine, Organza , Satin , Tabby Silk , Murshidabad Silk , Matka Fabric, China Silk ,Noil or Thrown silk ,Raw silk ,Taffeta Today 100% silk fabric are facing stiff competition from both from popular silk blends like Silk and Cotton, Silk and Linen and Silk and Wool and also from Artificial Silk or Art silk which refers to a synthetic manufactured fiber called Rayon which resembles silk but costs less to produce. In the present day, imitation silk may be made with rayon, mercerized cotton, polyester, a blend of these materials, or a blend of rayon and silk. With availability of other fiber resembling silk ,distinguishing real silk from artificial silk become important .This article is towards creating awareness about silk and how the real silk can be identified. .