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Laser fading, commonly used in the denim industry, is a computer-controlled, dry, ecological finishing method whereas conventional methods include high water, energy and time consumption. Resolution and pixel time are crucial parameters of laser source influencing the effect of laser treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimum laser parameters of CO₂ laser followed by enzyme washing and to compare the tensile strength and color values of laser-treated denim fabric with that of conventional enzyme-faded.

Two different indigo-dyed, sulfur bottom-indigo-dyed and only indigo-dyed organic cotton denim fabrics with different unit weights, were lasetreated with different laser parameters and then subjected to 10 min enzyme washing. Tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and change in fabric unit weight were tested. CIE (L*a*b*, ΔE*, h°, C*) color values, color strength (K/S), yellowness and whiteness indexes were measured to identify the color differences. Color fastness tests including washing, rubbing, light, water and perspiration fastness were investigated.

Most effective laser fading in terms of good mechanical properties and color values was obtained at 40 dpi resolution and 300 µs pixel time.

Conventional enzyme fading of denim fabrics is a wet process and requires a long process time of 40–45 min and high temperatures, leading to high energy and water consumption. Laser fading, on the other hand, is a dry and ecological method, but causes a decrease in mechanical properties of the fabric, and an increase in yellowness. In this study, unlike the similar studies in the literature, denim fading was carried out by a combination of laser treatment followed by only 10 min enzyme washing in order to eliminate or minimize the drawbacks of the denim fading, such as high energy and water consumption for enzyme fading and decrease in mechanical properties of the fabric and increase in yellowness for laser fading. This method was applied to two different dyed denim fabrics, sulfur (bottom) and indigo (top) and laser process conditions were optimized to achieve the desired fading effects compared to conventional enzyme fading.

In the denim industry, enzyme washing and its combination with stone washing are generally used to get the desired worn-out look. However, these conventional methods include high water, energy and time consumption. Nowadays, laser fading, which is a computer-controlled, dry, ecological finishing method, is preferred in the denim fading process. The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of chemical pretreatment applications on laser-faded denim fabric in terms of color and mechanical properties. To eliminate the enzyme washing process in denim fading and to minimize the disadvantages of laser fading, such as decreased mechanical properties and increased fabric yellowness, various chemical pretreatment applications were applied to the denim fabric before laser fading, followed by simple rinsing instead of enzyme washing.

Two different indigo-dyed, organic cotton denim fabrics with different unit weights were exposed to pretreatment processes and then laser treatment, followed by simple rinsing. Polysilicic acid, boric acid, borax and bicarbonate were used for pretreatment processes, and laser treatment was carried out under optimized laser parameters (40 dpi resolution and 300 µs pixel time). Tensile strength was tested, and color values (CIE L*, a*, b*, ΔE*, C* and h), color yield (K/S), yellowness and whiteness indexes were measured to identify the color differences.

Before laser fading, 30 g/L and 40 g/L polysilicic acid pretreatments for sulfur-indigo-dyed fabric and a mixture of 10 g/L boric acid and 10 g/L borax pretreatments for the fabric only indigo-dyed were recommended for the laser fading with sufficient mechanical properties and good color values.

With the chemical pretreatments defined in this study, it was possible to reduce yellowness and maintain the mechanical properties after laser fading, thus minimizing the disadvantages of laser treatment and also eliminating enzyme washing.