Milk or casein fibre: An overview

Abdul Aziz
Department of Textile Engineering
Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET)
Email: abdulaziz1998tex@gmail.com

Introduction:

Unbelievable but it is true. Nowadays regenerated fibre is made from milk to

make very comfortable wearables. This fabric made from pasteurized milk
contains about 16 types of amino acids which are very beneficial for human
health.

Milk fibre is basically a combination of casein protein and acrylonitrile. This

milk or casein fibre is prepared in the same process as viscose / rayon. Since it
is a regenerated protein fibre, it usually exhibits the same properties as wool
fibre.

The superior physical properties of wool have for long been the subject of
investigation by scientists, and therefore it is not unexpected that at this
particular period of civilization a fibre aiming at the chemical constitution and
physical properties of wool should have been developed and made available
commercially. This fibre is one which we are here called “Casein Fibre.”
History of Milk fibre:

During the First World War, when the Germans were looking for a new source
of fabric, they discovered the properties of making fabric in milk. Then in 1930,
the Italian chemist Antonio Feretti discovered a successful method of making
casein or milk fibre so that he could overcome the shortcomings of this fibre.
Since then mass production of milk fibre started and in 1939 about 10,000 tons
of milk fibre was produced. It then competes with wool fibre in the global
market.

How milk or casein fibre is prepared:

Casein is mainly obtained from pasteurized milk through acid treatment. The
casein is first frozen and then dried. At one stage it dries and takes the form of a
fine powder. It is then dissolved in caustic soda and the solution is left until it
acquires the appropriate viscosity.

The solution is then left in a bath by wet spinning by spinarate containing a

mixture of sulfuric acid, formaldehyde, glucose and water. In this way it takes
the shape of a filament. It is then hardened by formaldehyde treatment. At this
stage it is sent to the Drawing stage. After this chemical treatment the filaments
are washed and dried and crimp is provided mechanically. This is how milk /
casein fibre is made.
Various names in different countries:

1. Lanital in Belgium and france.

2. Fibrolane in Britain.
3. Merinova in Italy.
4. Wipolan in Poland.
5. Aralic in America.

Characteristics of milk / casein fibre:

1. This fibre is thermal insulation. So the fabric made with this fibre can
easily hold the body temperature.

2. It has elasticity religion.

3. Milk fibre cannot be separated from wool fibre by chemical test or

burning test, it is only possible with a microscope.
 4. It is quite smooth fibre.

5. Its natural color is bright white.

6. Can easily absorb moisture.

7. The fabric made of this fibre is quite comfortable.

8. 6) This fibre can be easily dyed.

Main Technical Indexes of Milk Protein Fibre:

No Item name Index

1 Fibre tenacity (dtex) 0.8-3
2 Breaking tenacity (cN/dtex) 2.5-3.5
3 Breaking elongation rate (%) 25-35
4 Modulus (cN/dtex) 60-80
5 Standard moisture regain(%) 5.5
6 Specific resistance 1.5×104
7 Static friction coefficient 0.187
8 Dynamic friction coefficient 0.214
9 Color fastness to washing 4-5 grade
10 Fastness to crocking 4-5 grade
11 Fastness to perspiration 4-5 grade
12 Color fastness to light 4 grade
13 Pilling resistance 3 grade
Advantages of Milk Fibre:
1. It is environmentally friendly.
2. It can be called a "green product" because it does not contain any
formaldehyde.
3. This fibre has a pH of 7.8, which is close to human skin. So products
made with this fibre are more suitable for people.
4. It is more comfortable, water transportable and air permeability is good.

Some disadvantages of milk fibre:

1. The clothes made by it are folded after washing and have to be ironed
every day.
2. It should not be machine washed, as it is not too hard.
3. It's a bit expensive.
4. It is less durable.

The blending of Milk Fibre:

The blending of milk fibre is done in the following manner:
i. Cotton method: Blend viscose and casein (milk fibre).
ii. Woollen method: casein and wool blend.
iii. Worsted method: Blend casein and wool or viscose.

Care of Milk Protein Fibre:

The physical and chemical structure of milk protein fibre is different from that
of natural protein fibre. Therefore, care is taken in the following ways:

Desizing: Enzyme products can be used between pH 4 to 6.

Scouring: If you use synthetic detergent, you have to keep it within pH 8.

Bleaching: Milk or casein fibre is usually white, so bleaching is not necessary. If

bleaching is required, bleaching can be done with sodium pyrophosphate and
hydrogen peroxide at pH 7.

Dyeing: Acid, basic, direct and disperse dyes can be used. Dye liqueur should
have a pH of 4-6 and a dyeing temperature of 90-95 degrees Celsius.
Printing: Block, screen and roller printing can be used. Acid, Basic, Direct,
Aggregate Pigment Dye can be used.

Use of milk / casein fabric:

1) T-Shirts

2) Ladies outwear

3) Sports-wear

4) Undergarments

5) Sweaters

3) Children’s garments

2) Bedding

Milk / casein fibre is renewable, bio-degradable and eco-friendly. It is also

possible to make more high quality fibre by blending wool, cotton and other
fibres with this fibre. This milk fibre has much more quality than other
manmade fibres made so far. Also, since this fibre is antibacterial, it is now
being used in many textile applications.

Technical uses of Milk/Casein fibre:

Commercial casein is generally two types.
i. Rennet Casein
 ii. Acid casein

The technical uses of these two types of casein fibre are discussed below.

Acid casein Rennet casein

Adhesive for wood, e.g. plywood; Plastics in the form of buttons,

adhesive for foil laminates and buckles, imitation tortoiseshell,
paper imitation ivory, fountain pen barrels,
Coating for paper and cardboard shoehorns, dominoes novelties
Horticultural spreader
Joint cements in wallboard
Leather tanning
Paints
Photo-resist
Stock foods
Synthetic fibres
Textiles sizing

Manufacturers of milk fibre:

• Cyarn Textile Co., Ltd. • Contact: info@cyarn.com

• Fabman Fabrics and Manufacture • Contact: info@fabmanindia.com in

India

• Euroflax Industries (Imports of Textiles) • Contact:

euroflax@euroflax.com

• Shanghai Zhaokai Import & Export Co • Contact:

http://zhaokai.en.made-in-china.com

• China Xhmart Textile Co., Ltd.

• Ningbo Guang Yuang Fabric Co, Ltd. •

Contact: http://www.new-fabric.com
Conclusion:

All through the years, experts have been devoted to the researches on improved
fibres and at present they have succeeded in the development of the globally
advanced milk protein fibre, a milestone in the international textile industry.

Milk Fabrics are so skin-friendly that it itself makes us feel better. The milk
protein fibre is a fresh product as a superior green, healthy and comfortable
fibre, which will certainly become popular goods in the market.

Resources:
https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/5279/an-introduction-to-milk-
fiber-a-review

https://bunon.info/fibertofabric/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF
%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BE
%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-milk-fiber/

https://textilelab.blogspot.com/2017/12/blog-post_79.html

https://www.slideshare.net/monaverma1/casin-fibres