In the recent years enzymes have found a variety of uses in textile applications.Popular uses are stone washing of denims and surface modification of cellulosic fabrics to improve their appearance and handle. The process of treating with cellulases is termed as bio- polishing. In case of denims one can get stone -wash effect without using pumice stones by using enzymes. Another advantage of using enzymes is that, these are environment friendly, since they are readily biodegradable. Besides, they will not leave chemical residue on the processed materials and the colour changes on the dyed goods are very less. Textiles goods treated with enzymes are free from surface hairiness and neps with much improved handle and flexibility. The fabric surface becomes smoothers and more lustrous. There is also a lower tendency to further pilling possibly due to the fact that there are less protruding fiber ends from the yarns after the enzymes application. Bio-finishing also called bio-polishing, is a finishing process applied to cellulose textiles that produces permanent effects by the use of enzymes.Bio-finishing removes protruding fibers and slubs from fabrics, Significantly reduces pilling, softens fabric hand and provides a smooth fabric appearance,especially for cotton fabrics and as a permanent for printing.
About the Authors:
Prof.S.K. Laga and Kumar Satyam are associated with the D.K.T.E.'s Textile and Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji.
This article was originally published in "The Textile Review", June, 2012.
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