Effect of Fibre Fineness and Noil Extraction on the Different Shade Depths of Melange Yarns

Abstract

Melange cotton yarns possess unique attributes of aesthetics and comfort. The quality of melange yarn is largely influenced by fibre properties, spinning process, dyeing conditions and proportion of grey and dyed fibres. In this study, dyed and grey cotton fibre components were mixed at the blow room to produce melange yarns with three different shade depths. The aim of present work is to investigate the effect of raw material properties and process variables at different shade depths on the properties of cotton melange yarns. Box–Behnken experimental design was used to study effect of three factors: fineness of cotton, noil extraction% and shade depth% on properties of melange yarn. ANOVA analysis shows that there is significant effect of noil extraction and shade depth on all yarn properties. Fibre fineness also shows significant effect on unevenness, tensile, abrasion, yarn metal friction properties except breaking extension and hairiness. Better yarn quality with respect to yarn evenness, imperfections, hairiness, tenacity, breaking extension, yarn metal friction and yarn abrasion resistance RRI is achieved for lower shade depth melange yarn. The properties of melange yarn with higher noil extracted at comber stage are noticeably better in respect of tensile strength, elongation, hairiness, mass irregularity, imperfections and yarn abrasion resistance RRI.