Abstract
Denim fabric is one of the most popular casual wear fabrics worldwide. The performance characteristics of denim fabrics have been improved by using functional fibers and elastane to make them comfortable to wear. Elastane fibers with high elasticity are used extensively in denim fabric production. Elastane fibers are generally used as the core part of the core-spun yarns as weft yarns. Besides elastane fibers; polyester and polyester derivatives are commonly used. This study examines the effects of filament fineness and yarn count on denim fabric performance. Textured polyester filaments with medium, fine and micro linear densities were used as the core part of the core-spun yarn and cotton fiber was used as sheath material. Yarn samples manufactured with the same production parameters at different yarn count were used as weft yarns of denim fabrics. Denim fabrics were produced with the same fabric cover factor to eliminate yarn count difference effects. Tensile, static tearing and dynamic tearing properties of denim fabrics were determined. To evaluate the effects of core part, 100 % cotton denim fabric was manufactured and tested. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the significance of filament fineness and yarn count ratio. Results showed that there was a significant effect of filament fineness on tensile, static tearing and dynamic tearing properties of denim fabrics. In addition, it was found that yarn count had no significance effect on static tearing properties of denim fabrics.