Investigation of the use of steam for spun-like textured yarn manufacturing: effect of fluid pressure on yarn properties

Abstract

The objective of this research work was to investigate the use of steam in order to replace air in the production of air-jet (spun-like) textured yarns. An existing air-jet texturing machine was modified to supply either air or steam to the texturing nozzle. Using standard commercial nozzles, both air-jet and steam-jet textured yarns were manufactured. The effect of fluid pressure on yarn tension, loop instability, loop density, linear density, strength, tenacity and elongation has been studied. The results show that spun-like textured yarn manufactured using steam has lower loop instability, higher liner density, strength, tension and elongation than the one manufactured using air at comparable fluid pressures. SEM image analysis shows that the intermingled structure of the steam-jet textured yarns is comparable to the air-jet textured yarns. Therefore, it can be concluded that steam can be used as an alternative fluid for air in making spun-like textured yarns.