Friction spinning-A critical review

Abstract

The ability to achieve high twisting rates without the need to rotate the heavier mechanical elements and the low yarn tensions enable very high delivery rates with friction spinning. The soft handle of the yarn,versatility to handle all types of fibres and the core spinning facility are the other merits of this system.

However, the low yarn strength, high twist variability, higher hairiness and the restriction to coarser counts are the major drawbacks to be overcome before friction spinning can become commercially viable. The yarn formation is very complex as the angle of deposition of the fibres, suction level inside the drums, surface friction on the yarn tail and the air turbulence have considerable influence on fibre arrangement. Fibres are highly disoriented in the yarn with loops and folds which lead to very low utilization of fibre length in yarn

strength. The system becomes unstable when the number of fibres in the cross-section falls below a certain level.