The effects of the combined process of enzymatic bleach clean-up, enzymatic defibrillation and dyeing on the comfort and physical properties of Tencel/cotton knitted fabrics

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the comfort and physical properties of raw and finished knitted fabrics made of yarns with different Tencel/cotton blend ratios. For this purpose, Ne 20 yarns were produced with the same twist coefficient on the same production line. Fabric samples were produced on the same knitting machine. The raw fabrics were subjected to two different combined enzymatic pre-treatments and dyeing processes. In the first process, enzymatic defibrillation and dyeing were carried out in the same bath. In the second, enzymatic bleach clean-up, defibrillation and dyeing were conducted in the same bath. The comfort and physical properties of all the raw and finished fabric samples were measured according to the relevant standards. The results were assessed statistically. The results of this study showed that with increased percentage of Tencel in the blend, the water vapor and air permeability, fabric roughness, pilling, thermal absorption and loss of mass values of the fabrics increased, whereas thermal conductivity values decreased. It was observed that the fabrics which were subjected to enzymatic defibrillation and dyeing processes in a single bath gave lower surface roughness and abrasion values but higher air permeability values; while those subjected to enzymatic bleach clean-up, defibrillation and dyeing in a single bath gave higher thermal conductivity and thermal absorptivity values. Comparison of the two processes showed that there were no significant differences in the pilling and the water vapor permeability values obtained from both processes.