The aim of this study was to develop statistical models for predicting the air permeability and light transmission properties of woven cotton fabrics and determine the level of correlation between the two parameters. Plain woven fabrics were developed with different warp and weft linear densities, ends per inch and picks per inch. After desizing, scouring, bleaching, drying and conditioning, the air permeability and light transmission properties of the fabric samples were determined. Regression analysis results showed statistically significant effect of the fabric ends, picks and warp linear density on both the fabric air permeability and light transmission. Correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relation between the fabric air permeability and light transmission. A linear equation was also formulated to find the fabric air permeability through transmission of light intensity. A fitted line plot between the air permeability and light transmission exhibited significant correlation with R-sq. value of 96.4%. The statistical models for the prediction of fabric air permeability and light transmittance were developed with an average prediction error of less than 7%.

The present study was carried out to optimize discharge printing process for fashionable denim garments. Response surface methodology, involving a central composite design with three key factors, namely, potassium permanganate (KMnO 4) concentration, pH of the printing paste, and reaction time, was successfully employed. The objective of this work was to develop a cost-effective, value-added process for denim fabric, where losses in tensile and tear strengths were to be minimized, while whiteness effect of discharge was to be maximized. The optimum conditions for discharge printing with potassium permanganate were found to be pH 6, KMnO 4 concentration of 42 g/kg, and treatment time of 15 min. The validity of experimental values was found to be in good agreement with optimized combination of three variables.

No abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as an efficient discharging agent for indigo-dyed denim fabrics and identification of key variables for its cost-efficient implication. Design/methodology/approach Response surface methodology, which is a statistical technique for the optimization of process variables, was used to study the effect of three key variables, i.e. KMnO4 concentration, printing paste pH and reaction time on whiteness and strength of discharged printed fabric. Regression models were developed to predict response variables, i.e whiteness, tensile strength and tear strength of discharge printed denim. Findings It was found that some captivating discharge printing effects could be produced using appropriate KMnO4 concentration, printing paste pH and reaction time without any significant loss in the fabric strength. Practical implications This study highlights the practical implication of KMnO4 to be used as a safe and effective discharging agent under different conditions and to optimize the parameters using statistical analysis to ensure minimum loss in textile properties. The use of denim has evolved over the decades from a rough and tough workwear to highly fashionable apparel. Various dry and wet processing techniques have been introduced in recent years for the value-addition of denim – discharge printing is one of them. As lab to bulk reproducibility requires some sort of experience and adjustments in main parameters, the practical feasibility on the bulk scale should be adjusted in advance by means of the lab scale experimentation. Originality/value The KMnO4 oxidation process is considered eco-friendly because manganese dioxide, which is formed when permanganate is reduced, can be recycled. Thus, the use of KMnO4 can be considered as an eco-friendly safe process for the discharging of indigo dyes.

No abstract