Papers by Subashini Balakrishnan
Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 2020
Fibre grading systems are recognized as essential for both customers and the manufacturers of nat... more Fibre grading systems are recognized as essential for both customers and the manufacturers of natural fibres. Identification or grading of fibre content in textiles and fibre industry has become extremely challenging even for experienced parties in the field. The increasing variety of fibres and blending techniques are the reason for this. Consequently, laboratory tests are very important for grading and verification. This research focuses on observing the surface structure of the banana pseudostem fibre in the light microscope, scanning electron microscope, fineness, strength, chemical solubility, burning behaviours, and grading for different banana varieties. Fibres and fibre bundles were inspected visually and tested. One of the focus of this research is to produce quantifiable observations such as general observation test and feeling test. So the quantitative method can lead to exploring the systemic connection between experimental observation and mathematical expression for the...
Textile Research Journal, 2019
The banana is one of the most commonly consumed fruits in Sri Lanka; after the fruit is harvested... more The banana is one of the most commonly consumed fruits in Sri Lanka; after the fruit is harvested, the pseudostem is thrown down as waste. The banana pseudostem is a good source of natural fiber. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of banana fiber extraction, examine treatment parameters on fiber fineness and establish suitable methods to reduce the fineness that enable banana fibers to be used as textile materials. Ten popular Sri Lankan varieties of banana pseudostem were selected for this study. From the mechanically extracted banana fiber of these 10 varieties, Ambun (genome AAA) was selected for further analysis because it had the lowest fiber fineness. Four layers from the pseudostem of Ambun were extracted and put through a fineness and single fiber strength test. Scanning electron microscopy and fiber linear density were used to observe and determine the fineness of the enzyme and chemical treated banana fiber. The mechanical strength of the treated ban...
Investigation on mechanical and chemical properties of mechanically extracted banana fibre in pseudostem layers: From Sri Lankan banana (Musa) cultivation waste
Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 2021
This research investigates the factor influencing the quality of the fibre inside the banana pseu... more This research investigates the factor influencing the quality of the fibre inside the banana pseudostem to determine which layers are suitable for delivering fine banana fibre. This research identifies the banana pseudostem layer-wise properties. Puwalu and Ambun fibres were obtained from the Kurunagala district in Sri Lanka. Banana fibres were separated from pseudostem by using a decorticator machine. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and universal tensile tester machine were used for the testing. The test results showed that the middle layers of the pseudostem to be the finest and strong. The lignin contains in the middle layer of fibre was lower than that of the first layer of fibres. The linear density of the ambun middle layer is 25 tex, the average diameter value is 80 µm and range of single fibre strength is 273–270 gf. Linear density of the puwalu middle layer is 29 tex, the diameter value was varying in between 98 and 100 µm a...
Influence of Enzyme and Chemical Pretreatment Processes on the Colours of Banana Fibres
2019 Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon), 2019
Colour is an important property of textile fibres. The colour of mechanically extracted fibre aff... more Colour is an important property of textile fibres. The colour of mechanically extracted fibre affects the colour of the fibre textiles products. The focus of this investigation is to compare the colour of different pre-treatment process for banana fibre and evaluate the suitability of the banana fibre treatment methods for dyeing process. Experimental research strategies were used to investigate the colour properties. Ambun (AAA/Cavendish) banana variety was selected for this research study. Treated and mechanically extracted banana fibre samples colour measurement was performed by using a data colour machine 600 spectrophotometer and assessed using CIELAB colour values. This experiment was conducted to the suitability of the banana fibre extraction methods for dyeing process. Results indicate that there is a significant change in colour due to the different treatments achieved higher $\Delta \mathrm{E}^{\ast}$ values. Treatment of enzyme and 6% H2O2, 2% Na2SiO3, 3% NaOH, combined e...
Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Mechanically Extracted Banana (MUSA) Fibers from Top Ten Sri Lankan Cultivars
Journal of Natural Fibers, 2020
The fiber from banana plant (Musa) is an agricultural waste and an abundantly available renewable... more The fiber from banana plant (Musa) is an agricultural waste and an abundantly available renewable resource. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the effect of the mechanical extract...
Eco-Friendly softening for banana Fibers from Sri Lankan banana cultivar: Influence on physical and chemical Properties on banana Fibers
Journal of Natural Fibers
Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics
Fibre grading systems are recognized as essential for both customers and the manufacturers of nat... more Fibre grading systems are recognized as essential for both customers and the manufacturers of natural fibres. Identification or grading of fibre content in textiles and fibre industry has become extremely challenging even for experienced parties in the field. The increasing variety of fibres and blending techniques are the reason for this. Consequently, laboratory tests are very important for grading and verification. This research focuses on observing the surface structure of the banana pseudostem fibre in the light microscope, scanning electron microscope, fineness, strength, chemical solubility, burning behaviours, and grading for different banana varieties. Fibres and fibre bundles were inspected visually and tested. One of the focus of this research is to produce quantifiable observations such as general observation test and feeling test. So the quantitative method can lead to exploring the systemic connection between experimental observation and mathematical expression for the...
Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics
The objective of this research paper is to establish a suitable reactive dyeing process for banan... more The objective of this research paper is to establish a suitable reactive dyeing process for banana fiber and comparison between dyeing behaviors of banana fibers with cotton fibers. Ambon (Cavendish type) banana variety was selected for this research study. Data accumulation is done by quantitative research methodology and experimental research strategies for this investigation; 5% enzyme and 6% H2O2-, 2% Na2SiO3-, and 3% NaOH-treated banana fibers were dyed with reactive dye. Banana fibers were dyed with three standard colors (red, blue, and yellow) each with four different concentrations (0.25, 1%, 4%, and 6%) of reactive dye. Testing was conducted to assess the color properties between pretreated banana fiber, dyed banana fiber, and cotton fiber. Color measurement was performed by using a Datacolour 600 spectrophotometers. The ΔE* values were used to determine the degree of color deterioration. Results showed that pretreated fibers become brighter (whiteness) than the raw banana ...
Conference Presentations by Subashini Balakrishnan
Extraction of natural dyes from Basella alba (Sri Lankan green spinach) for Silk fabric: Mordant-free dyeing techniques towards Resource Efficiency
1st Research symposium on Textile and Apparel Industry, 2023
The increasing demand for natural dyes presents opportunities for farmers and artisans to produce... more The increasing demand for natural dyes presents opportunities for farmers and artisans to produce and sell their natural products, thereby generating employment and contributing to local economies. This study focuses on using a natural colorant extracted from Basella alba fruit, commonly known as Sri Lankan green spinach, to dye silk fabrics without mordants. Basella alba was selected as the primary colorant, and the effect of different pH values and extraction temperatures on the colorimetric and fastness properties of silk fabric was investigated. The study found that Basella alba extract can be effectively used as a natural colorant in silk fabric applications, providing better washing fastness properties at low-temperature (40°C) dyeing processes. The process of Basella alba fruit extraction for natural dye can be utilized to dye silk fabric, producing novel and fashionable natural pastel shades such as yellow, pink, and purple tints. The findings of this study are encouraging for countries like Sri Lanka, as it suggests the possibility of sourcing natural dyes extracted from locally grown plants and creating a niche market for naturally dyed products.
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Papers by Subashini Balakrishnan
Conference Presentations by Subashini Balakrishnan