Characterization and process optimization of indigo dyed cotton denim garments by enzymatic wash

Abstract

Denim garment was treated with cellulase enzyme by varying the process parameters, namely concentration of enzyme, washing temperature and time to develop novel design and fashion. The effect of process parameters on the physical and mechanical properties of cotton denim garment was investigated and denim fabric properties like tensile strength, elongation at break, weight loss, stiffness, water absorption, shrinkage, color fading and morphological values by SEM were discussed. To obtain the desired fashion effect in terms of color fading, comfort ability in terms of reducing the stiffness of denim and high wear performance in terms of longevity/minimum tensile strength losses of denim, indigo dyed denim garment (trousers, 100% cotton with twill weave 3/1 construction) had been chosen and processed with the enzyme concentration of 0.5% to 3.5%, treatment temperature from 40°C to 70°C and treatment time from 20 min to 60 min. The process parameters were optimized and the optimized washing condition for the best value is 2% enzyme concentration at 55°C for 40 min.

The effect of recycled fibers on the washing performance of denim fabrics

“…The positive effect of r-PET increased after and E*S). The findings of this study corroborate the previous study (Mezarcıöz & Toksöz, 2014;Mondal & Khan, 2014;Sülar & Kaplan, 2011). The data from Table 6 indicate that there was no significant correlation between fibers and breaking force in warp direction because the effect of weft yarns was limited on breaking force in warp direction on account of using same warp yarns.…”

“…As presented in Table 5, the decrease in breaking force was statistically significant in all fabrics (1-16) and groups (F*E, F*S was determined in stone-washed fabrics. The observed decrease in breaking force corroborates the literature (Mezarcıöz & Toksöz, 2014;Mondal & Khan, 2014;Sülar & Kaplan, 2011). The decrease in breaking force was a significant level (p = 0.00) for all fabric types (1-16) in the comparison of F*E and F*S. However, no significant difference was found in fabrics containing 50% CO/50% r-PET yarn coded as '04' (p = 0.39) and 25% r-CO/75% r-PET yarn coded as '12' (p = 0.67) between enzyme-washed and stone-washed fabrics from the data in Table 5.…”

“…It is stated in the literature that stiffness values decreased with denim washing methods (Mondal & Khan, 2014). Similarly, fabric stiffness shows a great decrease in this study and the decreases according to finished fabrics were statistically significant for all fabrics (Table 5).…”

“…Sülar and Kaplan (2011) claimed that elongation at max force showed increase in fabrics containing elastane or without elastane after washing. Mondal and Khan (2014) pointed out that elongation at max force increased after washing but this increase stems from the increase in the mass per unit area. Besides all these, they informed that elongation at max force started to decrease with the rising temperature and processing time.…”

“…Nevertheless, it is pointed out in the literature that these processes can deteriorate fabric mechanical features, especially strength and durability of the products. The longevity usage of denim fabrics with high wear performance can be damaged further in more aggressive applications (Karazincir & ve Baykal, 2014;Mezarcıöz & Toksöz, 2014;Mondal & Khan, 2014;Sülar & Kaplan, 2011;Tarhan & Sariisik, 2009). The negative effects of recycled fibers can be reemerged on the fabric in more abrasive washing processes in spite of the working with higher yarn weight in denim sector.…”