Studies on Tensile Properties of Eri Silk/Polyester Blended Yarn Using Design of Experiment Methodology

Eri silk is one of the four varieties of silk available in India which has excellent thermal insulation property. With a view to explore its blending possibilities with polyester, manufacturing of eri/polyester blended yarn at different blend ratio in ring spinning system has been successfully performed following drawframe blending technique. The Box and Behnken design of experiment for three variables and three levels has been used to study the influence of count of the yarn spun (Ne), twist multiplier and proportion of eri fibre in the blends on some important tensile properties of the yarns produced. The chosen level of variables remaining within the industrially acceptable limits shows that fibre character and yarn parameters are the determining factors to influence yarn tensile properties. Validity of Hamburger model for the prediction of blended yarn tenacity has also been assessed for the blended yarn produced. © 2013, The Institution of Engineers (India).