Fabric comfort by modifying yarn structure: Part I – Study on structural changes by cross-sectional microtomy of yarn

Abstract

A study has been carried out to engineer the fabric comfort by modifying the internal yarn structure through spinning process parameters. The yarn packing density is found to be one of most influential factors of yarn structure, which governs the comfort aspect of the textile material. The work reported here mainly deals with the influence of ring frame process parameters, i.e. spindle speed, twist and draft, on mechanics of yarn structure. It is evident that an increase in spindle speed, twist multiplier and draft decreases the yarn diameter and accordingly increases the packing density. The reduction in yarn diameter is found to be maximum with the increase of draft followed by twist multiplier and spindle speed. The yarn packing density also follows the similar trend. The radial packing density of considered yarns is neither uniform across the yarn cross-section nor maximum near the yarn axis. The maximum packing density is noticed at some distance from the yarn axis and it decreases further towards yarn surface. In general, yarns do not possess maximum packing density near yarn axis. It is observed that considered process parameters significantly influence the packing in core, intermediate and surface zone of the yarns.