Impact of Washing Stretchy Denim using Neutral and Acid Enzymes and Subsequent Softening Treatment on Physical, Mechanical and Sewing Properties

Abstract

Comfort, versatility and durability continue to be stretchy denim’s biggest assets, therefore it is known for its use in the manufacture of jeans; however, it can be used to make several apparels, depending on its mass. Even designers turn to it for inspiration occasionally. The main factors affecting consumers when selecting garments are aesthetic appearance and fashion. Denim garments are subjected in industrial washing to obtain specific appearance and handle. The washing and finishing processes are utilized for the purpose of fashion and different recipes are applied for different effects which are quite significant for marketing. Washing is a novel process to impart worn-out look, to modify the appearance and to improve the comfort ability of apparel. Enzyme wash is used to fade the color of denim as well as it has an effect on the physical, mechanical and sewing properties of the denim also. By this paper washing of tested denim with enzyme supplemented with softening were applied to preserve the quality and to create more distress worn-look fashionable denim. It presents the impact of enzyme wash type and subsequent softening treatment on stretchy denim dyed with indigo dye. Two different masses (380 & 320 gm/m2) of stretchy denim were sewed separately with lockstitch 301 by using two types of seams (lapped seam and flat felled seam) and washed using neutral and acid enzyme wash and then softened using silicone softener. The physical, mechanical and sewing properties were tested before washing, after washing and after softening. The properties that were analyzed include fabric mass, thickness, stiffness, tensile strength, seam strength, seam pucker and seam appearance. Neutral enzyme washed, acid enzyme washed and softened tested denim exhibit a clear difference in the tested properties than the unwashed denim. It’s concluded that neutral enzyme wash supplemented with softening gives it the best value compared to all the tested denim washed properties