Multi-response optimization in enzymatic desizing of cotton fabric under various chemo-physical conditions using a Taguchi approach

In the present investigation, multi-response optimization in enzymatic desizing of cotton fabric against various chemo-physical conditions was carried out using an L-9 orthogonal array in Taguchi design. The input parameters were the concentrations of Fe2+ ions and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and temperature. The specimens were assessed by TEGEWA rating, absorbency, reducing sugars, bending length, weight loss and surface morphology. The results show that multiple-criteria analysis helped identification of an optimum level of process factors on the basis of grey relational analysis (GRA). The predicted level was confirmed by a validation run. The cotton fabric showed minimum absorbency, bending length and weight loss and maximum TEGEWA rating at 0.3 mM Fe2+ ions, 3.0 mM SDS and 80 degrees C. All these output variables were optimized, and a single recipe was determined. The optimized recipe found by the combination of Taguchi and GRA analyses was 0.1 mM Fe2+ ions and 3.0 mM SDS concentration at 90 degrees C. The predicted recipe showed promising results.