Effect of Overspray Treatments on the Processing Efficiency of a 50/50 Flax/Cotton Blend

Abstract

Limited studies exist related to the short-staple spinning of flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense) blends. The purpose of this study was to determine if various surface chemical treatments, including water, salt solution, and a suspension of polymer encapsulated silica nanoparticles applied via rotor spraying techniques were either detrimental or beneficial to spinning. Results indicate that neither yarn processing efficiency nor yarn quality appears to be significantly influenced by any of the spray applications in the case of 100% cotton. However, in the case of the flax blend yarns studied, processing efficiencies were impacted with fewer ends-down in the case of the nanoparticle solution in conjunction with significant yarn quality improvements. In addition, the application of a potassium malate salt solution also appears to significantly impact the amount of foreign matter present in the sliver, possibly due to anti-static effects. The beneficial effects produced are such that the application of chemical over-sprays appears to be a viable option for textile mills wanting to spin flax more efficiently. Results also indicate that chemical overspraying can be beneficial to yarn properties, but additional research is needed for the optimization of this practice.

Keywords

chemical modification chemistry encapsulation surface modification fiber yarn fabric formation fabrication processing spinning

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bledzki, A. , Reihmane, S. , and Gassan, J. , Properties and Modification Methods for Vegetable Fibers for Natural Fiber Composites, J. of Appl. Polymer Sci., 59(8), 1329-1336 (1996).

Gassan, J. , and Bledzki, A. , Possibilities for Improving the Mechanical Properties of Jute/Epoxy Composites by Alkali Treatment of Fibers, Comp. Sci. Technol., 59(9), 1303-1309 (1999).

Czekalski, J. , Jackowski, T. , and Kruciska, I. , Blends Spinning with Flax, Textil. Asia, 31(6), 34-39 ( 2000).

McAlister, D. , Foulk, J. , Akin, D. , and Annis, P. , Cotton fibers: properties and interaction with flax fibers in blends: focus on rotor spun yarn, in "Proceedings of the 26th International Cotton Conference Bremen", 13-16 March 2002, Bremen, Germany , 2002, pp. 207-211.

Chen, X. , Development of Flax and Natural Protein Fiber Blend Yarn, Shanghai Textil. Sci. Tech. 35(5), 47-48 ( 2007).

Lewin, M. , and Pearce, E. , "Handbook of Fiber Chemistry", Marcel Dekker, Inc. , NY, NY, 1998.

Morton, W. , and Hearle, J. , "Physical Properties of Textile Fibers", The Textile Institute Manchester, UK, 1993.

Shiloh, M. , Studies on cotton crimp. Part II. The recovery of crimp of cotton fibers after successive loadings, Textil. Res. J., 35(6), 546-553 (1965).

Lark, J.C. , inventor, "Sizing Composition, Method of Preparing Same and Fibrous Material Sized with Same", U.S. Patent 4,728,679, March 1, 1988.

10.

Gamble, G.R. , Cotton Fiber Chemical Differences and their Effect on Friction Behavior: A Comparison of Two Crop Years in the ATMI/ARS Leading Cultivars Study, J. Cot. Sci., 9, 56-64 ( 2005).

11.

Dhindsa, R.S. , Beasley, C.A. , and Ting, I.P. , Osmoregulation in Cotton Fiber. Accumulation of Potassium and Malate during Growth, Plant Physiol., 56, 394-398 (1975).

12.

Gamble, G.R. , The Influence of Surface Electrolyte and Moisture Content on the Frictional Behavior of Cotton Fiber, J. Cot. Sci., 10, 61-67 (2006).

13.

Astm , Standard test method for breaking strength and elongation of cotton fibers (flat bundle method) (D-1445-95), in "Annual Book of Standards", ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 1994, Section 7.01, Textiles, pp. 392-404.

14.

Astm , Standard test method for tensile properties of yarn by single strand method (D-2256), "Annual Book of Standards", ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 1994, Section 7.01, Textiles, pp. 594-602.

15.

Astm , Standard test method for unevenness of textile strands using capacitance testing equipment (D-6197), "Annual Book of Standards", ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2001, Section 7.01, Textiles, pp. 340-344.

16.

Astm , Standard test method for moisture in cotton by oven drying (D2495-07), "Annual Book of Standards ", ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2008, Section 7.01, Textiles, pp. 1-5.

17.

Gamble, G. , Variation in Surface Chemical Constituents of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Fiber as a Function of Maturity, J. Agric. Food Chem., 51, 7995-7998 (2003).

18.

Akin, D. , Gamble, G. , Morrison, W. , Rigsby, L. , and Dodd, R. , Chemical and Structural Analysis of Fiber and Core tissues from Flax, J. Sci. Food Agric., 72, 155-165 (1996).

19.

Lawrence, C. , "Fundamentals of Spun Yarn Technology", CRC Press , Boca Raton, FL, 2003.