The document summarizes an experiment analyzing the effect of conditioning and softener treatment on the physical properties of denim fabric. Samples were tested with and without standard conditioning to determine the impact of temperature and humidity. Conditioned samples showed higher strength and weight. A second experiment applied cationic and silicone softeners to samples, finding silicone softener improved tear strength but reduced tensile strength and rubbing fastness more than cationic softener. Both softeners decreased properties from the untreated fabric. Conditioning was found essential for accurate testing.

1. Effect of Conditioning on
Physical Properties of Denim
Fabric

2. Introduction
• All the kind of testing is done
under standard conditioning.
This is done so as to avoid
any type of discrepancy in
the result due to the external
environment.
• Temperature and humidity are two of the most important
factors on which the behaviour of fabric depends at the time
of testing. Hence to get accurate result at the time of testing,
conditioned samples should be tested.

3. Objective of the Experiment
• The aim of this experiment is to observe the change in
the results of two kinds of samples - One under
standard conditioning and other without
conditioning.
• And to analyze whether testing under standard
conditioning is essential or not.

4. Conditioning and Non-
Conditioning Atmosphere
Conditioning Atmosphere
• RH - 65 % +- 2
• Temperature -25 0C
Non- Conditioning Atmosphere
TIME DRY WET RH
10:50 AM 92 78 53.40 %
12:50 PM 97 80 47.50%
2:50 PM 97 77 40.10%
3:50 PM 97 76 37.40%
5:00 PM 98 76 38.30%

5. Fabric properties
and its testing
• Tear Strength
Tearing Strength is the measure of the
Internal tearing resistance, which is the
force perpendicular to the plane of the
textile stuff required to propagate a
single-rip or tear of a defined length from
a cut in the textile.
• Tensile Strength
Tensile strength, maximum load that a
material can support without fracture when
being stretched, divided by the original
cross-sectional area of the material.

6. • Weight
Weight of the sample is measured
in gsm. Moisture can play an
important in determining the
weight of the sample. Hence
difference in gsm of conditioned
and non conditioned samples can
be observed.
• Stretch/Growth
Stretch or growth is the increment
in the length of the samples. 1o in.
samples are hanged with a weight
of 1.3 kg for half an hour. Then
they are allowed to relax for an
hour. After that measurements are
again taken. It can be seen there is
difference in length of the samples.

7. Observation table and
results of testing
• Tear Strength
Fabric
Conditioned/Non-
Conditioned Tear Strength % decrease
Warp Weft Warp Weft
Sample 1 Conditioned 6467 7900
Sample 1 Non-Conditioned 5600 5300 13.41 32.91
Sample 2 Conditioned 5533 4100
Sample 2 Non-Conditioned 4600 3267 16.86 20.32
Sample 3 Conditioned 7700 4233
Sample 3 Non-Conditioned 6600 3367 14.29 20.46
Sample 4 Conditioned 5933 >12800
Sample 4 Non-Conditioned 4867 12167 17.97 4.95

8. • Tensile Strength
Fabric
Conditioned/Non-
Conditioned Tensile Strength % decrease
Warp Weft Warp Weft
Sample 1 Conditioned 91.9 73.7
Sample 1 Non-Conditioned 85 72.7 7.51 1.36
Sample 2 Conditioned 97.9 62.4
Sample 2 Non-Conditioned 91.5 56.5 6.54 9.46
Sample 3 Conditioned 96.5 39.5
Sample 3 Non-Conditioned 89 34.1 7.77 13.67
Sample 4 Conditioned 89.5 148.8
Sample 4 Non-Conditioned 79.5 145.1 11.17 2.49

9. • Weight
Fabric
Conditioned/Non-
Conditioned Weight % decrease
Sample 1 Conditioned 4
Sample 1 Non-Conditioned 3.9 2.50
Sample 2 Conditioned 3.82
Sample 2 Non-Conditioned 3.81 0.26
Sample 3 Conditioned 3.81
Sample 3 Non-Conditioned 3.72 2.36
Sample 4 Conditioned 3.85
Sample 4 Non-Conditioned 3.8 1.30

10. • Stretch/Growth
Fabric
Conditioned/Non
-Conditioned
Stretch
%
Growth
%
% increase
in Stretch
% Change
in Growth
Sample 1 Conditioned 17.5 1.90
Sample 1 Non-Conditioned 18.1 1.90 3.43 0.00
Sample 3 Conditioned 20.3 5.60
Sample 3 Non-Conditioned 20.6 5.60 1.48 0.00

11. Conclusion
• From the above results it can be inferred that
strength of fabric decreases in case of Non
Conditioned samples.
• The approximate percentage change in tear
strength of fabric is around 15 % warp wise and
it varies considerably in case of weft.
• There is also change in the tensile strength of the
fabric though the change is lesser as compared to
tear strength. In this case change in value in the
warp and weft is dependent on the fabric being
tested.

12. • Weight of the conditioned samples is more in case
of conditioned samples and the reason for that
being comparatively higher Rh value in case of
conditioned samples.
• Stretch in case of non-conditioned samples is
clearly more as compared to conditioned samples
and as far as growth is concerned there is change
neither in the conditioned nor in the non-
conditioned samples.
• Therefore conditioning is a must for testing
fabrics. Any test done in a non conditioning
atmosphere provides a difference in results.

13. Analysis of Cationic and
Silicon Softener on Properties
of Denim Fabric.

14. Introduction
• Fabric softener is a conditioner used to prevent static
cling and make fabric softer. It is available as a liquid,
crystals, and dryer sheets. Softening finishes are
among the most important of textile chemical after
treatments.
• With softeners, textiles can achieve an agreeable, soft
hand , some smoothness, more flexibility and
better drape or pliability.

15. Need of Softener
Treatment on Denim
• Softener treatment help in achieving well- worn, soft
and comfortable look to the denim.
• Softener enables substantial water and energy
savings, contributing to environmental sustainability
without sacrificing performance. Furthermore, the
use of softener results in lower utility and labor costs,
and faster throughput, which in turn translates into
increased productivity and profitability.

16. Objective of the Experiment
• The objective of the experiment is to analyze the
change in physical and chemical properties of Denim
fabric due to the application of Cationic and Silicon
softener.
• Though softeners cannot play a big role in changing
the properties of denim, still it is an important part
when quality is concerned.
• Most of the denim requires softener wash and so its
effect on properties of the fabric should be well
known.

17. Softener used
• Cationic Softener
• Cationic softeners are ionic molecules that have a
positive charge on the large part of the molecule
such as Amine Functional Cationic Softeners,
Fatty Aminoesters, Fatty Aminoamides.
• Cationic are highly efficient softeners. The ionic
attraction causes complete exhaustion from baths
and the orientation on the fiber surfaces allows a
monolayer to-be as effective as having more
lubricant piled on-top

18. Cationic Softener
ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES:
• Impart soft feel at all
levels of add-ons.
• Exhaust completely.
• Improve tear
resistance, abrasion
resistance and fabric
sew-ability.
• Compatible with
most resins.
• Incompatible with
anionic auxiliary
chemicals.
• Poor resistance to
yellowing.
• May change dye shades
and affect light fastness
of some dyes.
• Retain chlorine from
bleaches.
• Adversely affect soiling
and soil removal.

19. Specifications
• The Cationic softener used in the experiment was
SWPI Cationic
• Colour: Brownish Yellow
Consistency: Liquid
Purity: Translucent
pH: 2.5 – 3.5

20. Silicone Softener
• Silicone softeners for fabric fill irregularities making
surfaces feel and appear smoother.
• Silicones combine an array of properties (low
coefficient of friction, liquid at high molecular
weight, low surface tension, and thin-film
formation) that impart a feel on the skin that is very
different from that of organic materials.

21. Silicone Softener
ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES:
• Stable to heat and
light.
• Water clear liquids.
• Epoxy functional is
more durable.
• Improve tear
resistance
• Is expensive.
• Amino functional
silicone discolors
with heat and
aging.
• Silicones are water
repellant

22. Application of Softener on
Denim
• All the washes have been developed in lab scale
washing machines. First water wash was done on the
first sample. Then Cationic Softener wash was done
on the second and third sample with 5 gpl and 20 gpl
concentrations respectively. Finally Silicone Softener
wash was done on the fourth and fifth sample with 5
gpl and 20 gpl concentrations respectively.

23. Specifications
• The Silicone softener used in the experiment was
Ultrasil BG
• Ultrasil BG is unique non-yellowing organic modified
softener with superior softness, hydrophilicity and
anti-static effect.
• Appearance: Translucent emulsion
Chemical Nature: Non-ionic
Specific Gravity: 0.99 – 1.07
pH: 6 – 7

24. Fabric parameters and its
testing
• Tear Strength
• Tensile Strength
• Rubbing Fastness
The Rubbing Fastness Tester, Crockmeter checks the colour transferred
from the surface of a colored textile material to other surface by rubbing
in dry and wet condition.

25. Results of Testing and
Observation Table
• Tear Strength
Both Cationic and Silicone softener helps to improve the tear
strength. From the above table it can be seen that silicone softener
improves the tear strength property better than cationic softener in
both warp and weft wise direction.
Fabric Wash/ Softener Conc.
Time (in
mins)
Tear
Strength (in
gf) % increase % increase
Warp Weft Warp Weft
Denim
3/1 RHT
Water Wash - 10 6000 3050 - -
SWPI Cationic Softener 5 gpl 10 6050 3150 0.83 3.28
SWPI Cationic Softener 20 gpl 10 6450 3150 7.50 3.28
Ultrasil Silicon Softener 5 gpl 10 6750 3200 12.50 4.92
Ultrasil Silicon Softener 20 gpl 10 6750 3300 12.50 8.20

26. Tensile Strength
• Both Cationic and Silicone softener decreases the tensile
strength. From the above table it can be seen that silicone
softener degrades the tensile strength property more than
cationic softener in both warp and weft wise direction.
Fabric Wash/ Softener Concentration
Time (in
mins)
Tensile
Strength
(in kgf) % decrease% decrease
Warp Weft Warp Weft
Denim
3/1 RHT
Water Wash - 10 78.1 31.8 - -
SWPI Cationic Softener 5 gpl 10 74.9 28.3 4.10 11.01
SWPI Cationic Softener 20 gpl 10 76.2 27.3 2.43 14.15
Ultrasil Silicon
Softener 5 gpl 10 69.5 26.6 11.01 16.35
Ultrasil Silicon
Softener 20 gpl 10 73.3 25.2 6.15 20.75

27. Rubbing Fastness
• Both Cationic and Silicone softener decreases the rubbing
fastness. From the above table it can be seen that silicone
softener degrades the rubbing fastness property more than
cationic softener in dry crocking. But in wet crocking, none of
the softener has any effect on the fabric.
Fabric Wash/ Softener Concentration
Time (in
mins)
Rubbing
Fastness % decrease % decrease
Dry Wet Dry Wet
Denim
3/1 RHT
Water Wash - 10 3.5 1 - -
SWPI Cationic Softener 5 gpl 10 2.5 1 28.57 0.00
SWPI Cationic Softener 20 gpl 10 2.5 1 28.57 0.00
Ultrasil Silicon Softener 5 gpl 10 2 1 42.86 0.00
Ultrasil Silicon Softener 20 gpl 10 2 1 42.86 0.00

28. Conclusion
• From the above experiment it is deduced that softener has
a variety of effects on the fabric properties.
• Both the physical and chemical properties of the fabric
change to some extent by the application of both cationic
and silicone softeners.
• The effect of silicone softener has been found to be more as
compared to cationic softener.
• If the positive aspects of the softeners are seen then they
improve the hand of the fabric as well as increase the tear
strength.
• Softeners decrease the tensile strength and degrade the
rubbing fastness property of the fabric.

29. Thank you
0 The project was done in Arvind Mills, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat, India in 2012 as a part of the Textile
Internship Project of National Institute of Fashion
Technology.
0 It was done by Rahul Kumar & Harshit Kumar