Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics 38 http://www.jeffjournal.org Volume 7, Issue 1 – 2012 Impact of Different Weft Materials and Washing Treatments on Moisture Management Characteristics of Denim Muhammad Mushtaq Mangat, Tanveer Hussain PhD, Vladimir Bajzik PhD DS Technical University Liberec, Liberec CZECH REPUBLIC Correspondence to: Muhammad Mushtaq Mangat email: mushtaq.mangat@gmail.com ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of weft yarn materials and washing treatments on the moisture management properties of denim fabrics. Fabrics were developed with five different types of weft yarns made of cotton, polyester, spun polypropylene, air-textured polypropylene and stuffer-box crimped polypropylene. In all cases 100% cotton yarn was used as warp. Samples from each fabric were subjected to 10 diverse types of washing/finishing treatments and the treated samples were tested for dissimilar moisture management indices on an SDL Atlas moisture management tester. The statistical analyses of the test data show that the effect of different types of weft yarns and washing treatments is significant. Based on the results of this study, denim fabrics can be developed with enhanced moisture management properties. Keywords: moisture management, denim, weft variation, garment washing INTRODUCTION When water is dropped on the surface of any textile material it moves in multi directions. Its movement depends upon the chemical and physical nature of the textile material. The ability to control the movement of moisture is called moisture management of textile material [Hu 2005]. Clothing comfort is one of the basic needs of the wearer. It depends upon the thermo- physiological characteristics of the textile material. In addition to tactile feeling, heat and moisture transfer are key factors, which contribute to clothing comfort perception. Moreover, air and water-vapor permeability properties of clothing also have a significant influence on comfort characteristics. There is a significant difference in thermal properties of water and textiles. One of the most important factors is thermal conductivity. Water has 0.6 (Wm - 1 K -1 ), which is quite higher than textile materials. Textile materials may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic in nature. Many complexities are attached with the adsorption and absorption processes. Overall, adsorption and absorption of water in textiles create a big change in their thermal characteristics. This change leads to change in their thermal and moisture sensation and overall comfort properties. There is a strong correlation between moisture management properties of a fabric and its final comfort perception (Amrit, 2007; Barker, 2006; Hes & Martins, 1993; Satsumoto, Murayama, & Takeuchi, 2009; Kandjov, 1999; She & Kong, 2000; Suleiman, 2006). This study investigated the moisture management properties of denim woven with a constant warp and five different weft yarns and subjecting the samples to 10 different types of washing processes. The specific objectives of this study were as follows: (a) to investigate the effect of different weft yarn materials on the moisture management properties of denim fabrics and (b) to investigate the effect of different washing treatments on the moisture management properties of denim fabrics. WATER VAPOR TRANSPORT MECHNAISM THROUGH NOVEL AND TRADITIONAL DENIM Traditional denim is composed of 100 % cotton and has the ability to absorb moisture from the human skin and can transport it to the outer side following Fick’s law. In the case when the surface which touches the human skin is partially composed of polypropylene or polyester, which is hydrophobic in nature, moisture transfer from inner side to outside becomes quicker. In the case of denim made of 100% cotton, there are more chances that moisture will accumulate between the human skin and the inner side of the denim, and the difference in moisture percentage between human body and the microclimate will decrease, which is the driving force for the transfer of moisture from inner climate to outer climate. Nevertheless, in the case of the inner side partially covered by manufactured fibers, the amount of moisture absorbed will be less. In addition,