Development of Hemp-Containing Denim Fabrics: A Comparative Study of Mechanical and Dimensional Properties

Increasing environmental impact of conventional cotton denim production and concerns regarding cotton cultivation under changing climatic conditions have intensified the search for more sustainable raw material alternatives. Hemp is a promising candidate due to its low resource requirements and favorable fiber properties; however, its application in denim fabrics, particularly in combination with regenerated fibers and core yarn structures, remains insufficiently explored. In this study, nine denim fabrics are produced using three sheath fiber compositions (conventional cotton, modal/hemp, and organic cotton/modal/hemp) and three core configurations (rigid, T400, and T400/Lycra). Fabrics are evaluated for fabric weight, tensile strength, tearing strength, elasticity, growth, stiffness, and dimensional stability. Results indicate that core type is the primary factor affecting most fabric properties, whereas the influence of sheath fiber type and interaction effects becomes more pronounced for certain properties. Although hemp-based sheath fiber compositions exhibit some differences in mechanical and dimensional properties compared with conventional cotton denim, they maintain overall performance characteristics comparable to those of the reference fabric. T400 generally improves tensile performance and dimensional stability, while T400/Lycra enhances stretchability but increases stiffness and weft-direction shrinkage. Findings demonstrate the potential of hemp-based compositions to reduce cotton dependence while maintaining performance characteristics comparable to conventional denim.