A novel method for detecting polypropylene fibers in cotton yarns based on thermal properties and IR image processing

Abstract

Contamination of cotton yarns with foreign materials, such as polypropylene (PP) fibres, presents challenges in textile manufacturing. Conventional methods for detecting foreign fibres are often ineffective, particularly when the fibres are colourless or lack distinct visual characteristics. In this study, we propose a novel approach to detect PP fibres in cotton yarns by leveraging their differential thermal properties and employing infrared (IR) image processing. The method involves analysing temperature differentials between cotton and PP fibres when subjected to a heating source, followed by IR image processing to identify and quantify PP fibres. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method in detecting PP fibres in cotton yarns.