SEU Journal of Science and Engineering, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2019 * Corresponding Author: Israt Zerin, Lecturer, Department of Textile Engineering, Southeast University, 251/A,252 Tejgoan I/A, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Email: isratzrn@gmail.com ISSN: 1999-1630 Effect of Enzyme Wash with Stone on Different Properties of Stretch Denim Fabric Israt Zerin 1 *, A.B.M .Foisal 1 , Israt Zebin Ansari 1 & Shah Mohammad Islamul Hoque 2 1 Department of Textile Engineering, Southeast University, Tejgaon, Dhaka- 1208, Bangladesh. 2 Mark washing and Dyeing Ltd. Gazipur, Bangladesh Abstract Denim washing is an aesthetic finish that improves the surface of fabric with softness and comfort. In this work the effects of enzyme wash were investigated with stone on 3/1 twill stretch denim (cotton-98%, lycra-2%) fabric. The changes in Grams per square meter (GSM), mechanical strength, spectrophotometric evaluation, color fastness to wash, rubbing and perspiration after wash with the increment of time 10, 20 and 30 minutes are evaluated. Leg panels were produced for this experiment. The findings stated as: the GSM and Tearing strength were decreased, while the wash, rubbing, perspiration fastness of the fabric samples were improved with the increment of wash time. The overall color differences (DE) for ten, twenty and thirty minutes wash samples were 1.89, 2.72 and 3.22 on D65 light source and 1.88,2.69 and 3.19 for A-10 light source when compared with desized samples for indigo dyed samples(sample 1). Color differences (DE) for ten, twenty and thirty minutes wash samples were 3.76,4.75 and6.20 on D65 light source and 4.65,5.89 and 7.65 for A-10 light source when compared with desized samples for direct dyed samples(sample 2). The Metamerism index (MI) increases with time of washing; ten, twenty and thirty minutes wash samples were 0.08,0.20 and 0.25 for sample-1 and 1.33,1.69 and 2.26 for sample-2.Color strength (K/S) values of the washed fabric samples on different wave lengths (400-700nm) as compared to the desized samples (11.350-12.522,10.514-13.228) were decreased on ten minutes(9.072-10.336, 9.063-15.409),twenty minutes(7.541-8.84, 7.226-13.273) and thirty minutes (7.612-8.978, 7.675-16.126)wash samples. Key words: Enzyme, Denim, Stone wash. I. Introduction Weaving and dyeing effects make denim garments uncomfortable to wear. The manufacturing process of denim involved dyeing of the surface of the warp yarn and the core stays white. Denim fabrics are with high density and high mass per unit area also hard to wear (S. A. Belal, 2009; M. Z. Hasan et al.2017). That’s why uncomfortable denim garments need a finishing treatment to make it soft and smooth which increases wearer’s comfort. One of the most widely used finishing treatments is washing due to its effects on appearance and comfort (M. Hossain et al.2017; S. Li et al.2008; H. C. Yang et al.2010).Various attempts are made to use chemicals in denim garment washing, such as enzyme wash, bleach wash, acid wash, stone wash etc (M. Z. Hasan et al.2017).To reduce the hardness of fabric, pumice stones are also used in washing of denim fabric. To produce better distressed look during washing, the denim and pumice stones are put together in the washing machine (M.M.R. Khan et al.2012).Hand feel property is increased with increasing time of garment washing (M. M. Khatun et al.2017),where tensile strength is decreased, stone and enzyme wash of garments increase color fading, softness and water absorption. Cracked and hairy fiber surface are visible on scanning electron micrograph and fluorescence microscopy analysis which results strength losses and soft-hand feel of denim garments (M. I. H. Mondal et al.2016; M. M. R. Khan et al.2012). Enzyme washing is a process involving the use of enzyme to produce soft, comfort, luster and fade effect on denim fabric. The surface cellulose fibers of the denim fabric are broken down by enzymes and removes during washing. During enzyme washing, certain amount of indigo dye and cellulose fibers from the surface of the fabric are removed (H. A. El-Dessouki, 2015; D. Arjun et al.2013).Enzymatic method is also eco- friendly but it decays cellulose chains, forming