Changes in tensile properties of needle thread in lock stitch sewing

Abstract

Sewing threads of different structures are analyzed for the loss in tensile properties of threads in sewing on a single needle lock stitch machine. The needle threads suffer greater loss in tensile properties than the bobbin threads in sewing, mainly due to abrasion at needle eye, which can cause structural damage to thread and fibre damage; both depend on the thread structure and inherent strength of fibres. The spun and core spun threads undergo both structural damage and rupture of surface fibres due to abrasion in sewing. The nylon filament threads, due to their better abrasion resistance suffer lesser loss in tenacity and breaking extension in sewing compared to polyester threads. The spun threads, having coarser fibres help in retaining the thread strength in sewing; whereas high tenacity filaments would be useful in the case of core spun and filament threads, Thread cyclic loading/dynamic tension on needle thread during sewing does not affect the strength of the threads under study significantly; however, it affects the initial modulus of few threads, especially the nylon and spun threads.