Effect of Enzyme Wash (Cellulase Enzyme) on Properties of Different Weft Knitted Fabrics

Abstract

This paper studied the effect of enzymatic treatment after dyeing by using cellulase as the enzyme on some properties of different structured weft knitted cotton fabrics i.e. plain single jersey, lycra (5%) plain single jersey, 1X1 rib, single lacoste, double lacoste and interlock. When fabric surface and hand feel are not good enough, the enzymatic wash is used for removing the pills and fuzz from fabric surface in order to improve the smoothness and hand feel of the fabric. Enzymatic washed fabrics exhibit a great difference in the physical and mechanical properties than the non enzymatic washed fabrics. But there are considerable changes in dimensional stability, GSM and bursting strength which affects the quality and price of the fabrics for making apparel or other domestic and industrial purposes. The experiment has been done in three phases i.e. grey state, after dyeing with 2% shade orange color with reactive dye and finishing without enzymatic wash state. Third state is eventually after finishing having washed with 1% enzyme to measure the variation in dimensional stability, GSM and bursting strength for the above mentioned fabrics. The fall of strength and GSM is observed after enzymatic treatment. Besides dimensional stability (Shrinkage and Spirality) becomes worse for lycra(5%) plain single jersey, 1x1 rib, double lacoste, plain single jersey and better for single lacoste and interlock weft knitted fabric. Moreover dimensional stability of the grey fabrics is the worst in the experiment. All the results derived from the study have been quantitatively discussed.