An Approach to Evaluate Different Properties of Printed Cotton Fabric by using Polyethylene and Silicon Softener
This study shows the different effects of silicon softener and polyethylene softener on cotton printed fabric. The samples were treated with both softeners, and different tests have been examined like color fastness to washing, color fastness to water, color fastness to perspiration, pH. These tests results are all the same but color fastness to rubbing with polyethylene softener (Dry: 4/5, Wet: 2/3) is better than the silicon softener (Dry: 4, Wet: 2). Also, tensile & tear strength of fabric with polyethylene softener (Tensile Strength in Warp: 209N, Tensile Strength in Weft: 214N and Tear Strength in Warp: 12.41N, Tear Strength in Weft: 14.17N) is better than the silicon softener (Tensile Strength in Warp: 177N, Tensile Strength in Weft: 158N and Tear Strength in Warp: 9.81N, Tear Strength in Weft: 10.67N). On the other hand, hand feel of the sample finished with silicon softener is better than the fabric treated with polyethylene softener. In overall context, this study shows that, if better hand feel is required then silicon softener can be used but, if hand feel as well as other test requirements(tensile, tear, etc.)which is required by buyer, polyethylene softener is appropriate to use.
