LOTUS FIBRE : One of the most expensive silk in the whole world
Abstract
Lotus silk is a
textile product which is also known as Lotus Thread was first discovered in
Mayanmar. It is a fiber which is produced from the stem of lotus. By Weaving these
fibers woven fabric can be produced. Lotus fabric has unique properties: it is
naturally soft, light, especially breathable, and
almost wrinkle free. It is also a very eco-friendly fabric containing no
chemicals or toxic products. It’s probably the most ecological
fabric in the world. The result is a fabric which has the softness of silk
with a highly elastic quality, and yet breathes like linen. The Lotus fabric,
made by Lotus fiber is naturally stain-resistant, waterproof, and wrinkle-free.
Due to the plant's aquatic habitat, it is waterproof and quick drying once wet.
The fiber is paler, softer, and stretcher than the bright yellow silk that
worms produce. Unlike worm silk, each thread of lotus silk starts with the stem
of the lotus flower, and every single thread must be extracted by hand.
Introduction
Lotus silk is a textile product which is also known as
Lotus Thread was first discovered in Mayanmar. It is a fiber which is produced
from the stem of lotus. By Weaving these fibers woven fabric can be produced.
The process of extracting the fibers from Lotus is very much laborious and in
other hand, Lotus silk is one of the most expensive fibers among the whole
world. The flower and stem of the species (Nelumbo nucifera) used in lotus silk. The
wholly natural textured is a proof of its origin. Generally, Silk is produced
from the silk gland of cocoons, but as Lotus silk is produced completely from
nature, so it is vegan friendly. Lotus silk is no doubt eco-friendly and luxury
item.
Components: -
Generally, as we
know, Silk is a protein fiber but, Lotus silk is a cellulosic fiber.
Lotus fiber are inside the lotus stem and covered with waxes, pectin and some
lignin. The components are main ingredients of walled ground parenchyma cells
in the lotus stem
.
Surface Morphology of Lotus fibre
In
longitudinal view, the surface of raw lotus fibre is smooth with so many
longitudinal grooves. The diameter of raw lotus fibre ranges from 75 to 80
micrometre. The Cross-sectional shape of lotus fibres is irregular and
the edge of lotus fibre is full of wrinkles. Lotus fibres are hollow and
composed of external shell and an inner superfine fibre. The thickness of
external shell is 8 to 20 micrometres.
Process of harvesting of Lotus fibre
Lotus Harvesting:
When the Lotus are full bloom, then the stem of Lotus plants are collected. The
deep pink colour of flowers indicates the best quality fibers.
Fiber Extraction Process:
The stems of Lotus are cut by knife and snapped for 5-6 times. After snapping
it reveals 20-30 fine filament of fiber. The filaments are pulled out from the
stem and rolled into single stem. It takes too much time.
Yarn Formation:
From the fibres, Warp yarn is produced and weft yarns are also wound in a
bamboo bobbin.
Fabric formation:
Here, after formation of weft and warp yarn, it is time to produced the
ultimate fabric by weaving in the loom, generally handloom.
Properties
|
Length |
31-50 mm |
|
Single fibre
fineness |
4-4.5 |
|
Initial Modulus |
146.81 cN/dtex |
|
Breaking
Tenacity |
3.44 cN/dtex |
|
Elongation at
Break |
2.75% |
|
Density |
1.1848 g/cc |
|
Aspect Ratio |
103 |
|
Linear Density |
1.54 |
|
Moisture Regain |
12.3% |
|
Crystallinity |
48% |
Disadvantages:
The main Problem of producing
Lotus Silk Fabric is the collection of raw material, spinning and weaving is
handmade so the process is time consuming.
It is most expensive fiber and
labor intensive.
The yarns should be woven
within 24 hours of being extracted to prevent the deterioration.
Conclusion
Lotus fibres with excellent moisture regain and whiteness are prepared with sodium hydroxide followed by hydrogen peroxide under microwave irradiation. The lotus fibre is a kind of natural hollow fibre which is composed of superfine fibres and an external shell. The cellulose component in lotus fibres, and their moisture regain and whiteness are improved after they are treated with hydrogen peroxide.
