Developed woven structures for denim materials

Abstract

Denim is a cotton or cotton-blend twill textile material that is very popular to use for manufacturing different fashionable clothing items, such as jeans, jackets, skirts, shirts, and caps, and it is worn by most people across all age groups. Unfortunately, this material causes damage to the environment and human health through the large quantities of water required to grow the cotton plant, the toxic substances needed to dye the textile, the process of sandblasting to give denim an old, worn look and the large amounts of waste that result from its vast usage. This research aimed to develop advanced denim materials based on a blend of high-tech fibres, eco-friendly fibres with silver ions (Ag) and cotton fibres. The main purposes of developing these materials were to improve the mechanical potential under the repeated stresses of traction, friction, and tearing and to improve the psychosensory comfort by optimally combining the fabric pattern, the fibrous composition and the component yarn structure. By prolonging the life of these materials so that people can wear them longer, denim textile manufacturers can contribute to the global effort to become more sustainable. The textile structures were designed using the logical design scheme of a woven structure. The preparation of yarns for weaving and the weaving process was performed on equipment from the Experimental Station of the National Research and Development Institute for Textiles and Leather (INCDTP). Finally, the physio- mechanical characteristics of the fabric were examined, and the performances were validated.