Effect of Varying the Twist Multiplier of Open-End Yarn on Pilling and Other Fabric Properties

Abstract

Pilling has been one of the major consumer problems of man-made staple yarn products. This study evaluated the pilling performance of 65/35% Dacron/cotton fabrics woven from open-end (OE) yarns by the Random Tumble Pilling Tester Method (ASTM Test Method D3512-82) and the Elastomeric Pad Method (ASTM Test Method D3514-81) at five specified test intervals. The effect of twist level of warp and filling yarns on pilling propensity, flex abrasion, tensile strength, and breaking elongation was also investigated. Pilling produced by the Random Tumble Pilling (RTP) procedure was mainly fiber fuzz and loosely anchored pills; that produced by the Elastomeric Pad Method (EPM) was large scale pills and fiber entanglement which did not wear off readily. ANOVA test revealed that the twist level of warp yarns had a significant influence on thepilling characteristics as evidenced in both pilling tests. Twist level of filling yarns influenced EPMpilling ratings only intermittently. The effect of twist level of warp yarns was highly significant for the warp direction on flex abrasion, tensile strength, and breaking elongation. On the other hand the twist level of filling yarns influencedfilling tensile and breaking elongation. The major findings of the study indicate that pilling performance was significantly influenced by pilling test method and testperiod. The low and intermediate twist levels of OE yarns investigated did not consistently affect the pilling and other fabric properties analyzed.