COMPARISON AMONG PROPERTIES OF CHLORINE WASHED AND LASER FADED DENIM

Purpose of this work is studying the effect of bleaching and laser denim wash processes, onto functional properties such as tensile strength, for both textile and seamed denim. Experimental used a twill 3/1 100% cotton indigo dyed fabric was bleached using pad and rinse process, as well the same fabric was scanned using CO2 laser beam. The three denim fabrics, unwashed, bleached and laser washed, were tested using Instron of ASTM D434:1995. Scanning Electronic Microscopy SEM and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy FTIR of three fabrics were obtained to investigate the difference in surface morphology of the washed and unwashed denim fabrics. Air permeability ASTM D 737 has been investigated for the three tested fabrics. Main results showed laser fading higher tensile and seam strength, compared to chlorine bleached denim fabric, due to the formation of a polymeric film seen on the fabric morphology, through the SEM. As well the FTIR, of the chlorine bleached denim, showed demolishing of hydroxyl groups OH of the cellulosic chemical structure of tested cotton denim, giving a less tensile strength and higher air flow.