Abstract
In this study, laser was applied to two types of cotton-based woven fabrics in order to study the effect of CO2 laser technology on colour and fabric strength properties. The woven fabrics had different fibre compositions, i.e., one was 100% cotton while the other had 60% cotton blended with 40% polyester. They were treated with different combinations of laser processing parameters, i.e., resolution (52, 60, and 68 dpi) and pixel time (110, 120, 130, and 140 μs). There were two approaches adopted: (1) laser treated and then dyed (LD); and (2) first dyed and then laser treated (DL), in order to study the effects of the two different sequences on the resultant colour. Colour properties include reflectance value, colour yield, CIE L*a*b* values and levelness measured by spectrophotometer; pH value and tensile strength were also measured. It was discovered that laser treatment had no influence on chromaticity of cotton fabrics. Moreover, fabrics treated with laser had a lighter shade than the control samples. This confirmed that both approaches, i.e., laser treatment conducted before and after dyeing, can provide a colour fading effect. The tensile strength of fabrics was affected differently in relation to the dyeing and laser process. According to results obtained from the pH measurement, it is confirmed that laser treatment can provide a colour fading effect without affecting the pH value, and the fabrics can be used instantly right after the laser treatment.
Highlights
Colour is one of the most important characteristics of fabric or apparel that the consumer considers when buying and wearing clothes
In order to evaluate the effect of laser treatment on the degree of levelness, fabrics treated with laser before and after dyeing, i.e., LD
Colour properties and tensile strength of cotton fabrics treated with two different approaches were studied
Summary
Colour is one of the most important characteristics of fabric or apparel that the consumer considers when buying and wearing clothes. From the mid-1980s onwards, several treatments have been used for fabric colouring effects, especially in denim. Laser treatment is essentially a physical process which offers advantages over the conventional chemical methods. It enables precise surface modification in a short time. In our previous work [8,11], we compared some physical and chemical properties of laser treated pure cotton and cotton/polyester blended fabrics. Coatings 2017, 7, 131 colour shade under different parameters after laser treatment, colour properties of pure cotton and cotton/polyester blended fabric have been studied and evaluated in this study. This study would provide useful coloristic information for industrial production if laser effect would be applied for pure cotton or cotton/polyester blended fabrics
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