Blend denim fabric performance: Key features of dyed weft silk yarn with different weave structures

Abstract This research aimed to weave the warp indigo-dyed cotton yarn with un-dyed or dyed silk yarn and analyze the impact of different weft yarn structures on the properties of denim fabrics. The dyed silk yarn was performed by selection of different anionic indigo and non-indigo blue dyestuffs. The dyeing shades of the anionic indigo carmine dye on silk exhibited high build-up at the acidic pH range 2-2.5 with poor washing fastness and even so the cationic aftertreatment of the dyed silk samples showed un-matched color with indigo dyed cotton yarns. The dyeing properties of two commercial non-indigo reactive and acid dyes on silk add other advantages. To ascertain the dyeing shades of the non-indigo dyes on silk, two sets of blended denim fabrics were investigated. The first set included a weft-wise silk yarn dyed with reactive dye RB 5, and the second set included silk yarns dyed with acid dye AB 193. Weaving of the blended fabrics were carried out in Twill 3/1, 3/2 Z and Satin 53 patterns and exhibited significant color effects of the dyed silk yarns to those of the un-dyed control samples. The dyeing shades of the non-indigo RB 5 and AB 193 dyed weft-wise silk yarns found to be matched in color performance with the conventionally indigo dyed cotton yarns. Ultraviolet resistance of the blend denim fabrics was evaluated, showing significant improve in UPF of the weft-wise dyed silk. The study claimed the dyed silk yarns a good candidate for newly developed blend denim fabrics.