Improving of Silk Printability by Atmospheric Air Plasma Treatment

Abstract

Plasma surface treatment of silk has been carried out in atmospheric air under experimental conditions at different discharge powers and plasma exposure times. The treated fabric samples are printed with reactive dye using a conventional silk screen printing technique. After drying, the samples are steam fixed at 102°C for 15 min, washed and air dried. Before and after printing, both treated and untreated samples are subjected to different investigations. The wetting time is found to depend upon the treatment time and discharge power. The colour strength of the treated samples printed with reactive dye is improved to a large extent compared with the untreated samples. An improvement in the fastness properties of the printed samples to washing, rubbing and perspiration is also noticed.