Fiber Length of Eri Silk Cocoons and Influence of Staple Cutting during Spinning Preparatory Process

Abstract

ABSTRACT The range of single fiber length in both white and brick red eri cocoons is very high due to inactivity of Filipi’s gland of silkworm along with open structure of cocoons’ shells. This wide range can be reduced by staple cutting process after cocoons’ opening. The average fiber length is improved with more value of staple cut length. Due to staple cutting, short fiber generation occurred and descending trend was noticed with increase of staple cut length. Hauteur value is enhanced with increase of staple cut length and significant difference exists between 100 mm and 200 mm staple. Similarly, higher proportion of longer fiber percentage was revealed with increase of staple length. Since there is restriction of long fiber up to 200 mm for setting of rollers in drafting zone of speed frame and ring frame in case of long staple spinning, length can be set between 100 mm and 150 mm. Due to difference in measurement principle, the average fiber length assessed by BISFA oil plate method and Hauteur and Barbe evaluated by Almeter is not similar. So, expressions have been derived for prediction of Hauteur as well as Barbe from fiber length measured by BISFA oil plate method.