Ring frame process parameters and fabric comfort. Part I – low-stress mechanical properties of fabrics

Abstract

Influence of ring frame process parameters, namely twist multiplier of yarn, spindle speed and ring frame draft, on some of the yarn characteristics has been studied. The low-stress mechanical characteristics of woven and knitted fabrics made out of these yarns have also been reported in the present paper. Yarn packing factor, which is directly related with the yarn diameter, has direct impact on fabric comfort related characteristics. All the studied ring frame process parameters, i.e. yarn twist, ring frame draft and spindle speed, have inverse effect on the yarn diameter, which means the yarn diameter reduces with the increase in one of the process parameters by keeping the other two parameters constant. The impact of draft on reduction in yarn diameter is found to be higher as compare to other two parameters. All these ring frame process parameters have significant impact on other yarn parameters also. The increase in yarn twist, spindle speed and draft result in increase in flexural rigidity, unevenness and imperfections of yarn and decrease in yarn hairiness. All the low-stress mechanical properties, i.e. tensile, shear, bending, compression and surface, of both woven and knitted are affected by the above ring frame parameters. The thickness of fabrics changes with the yarn compactness, i.e. with the reduction in yarn diameter. The study revealed that by changing the above ring frame process parameters, it is possible to manipulate the fabric handle characteristics without changing the fabric constructional parameters.