The Bobtex Yarn-Making Technology: Its Future and Implications

Abstract

"Bobtex" yarns are formed according to the Integrated Composite Spinning (ICS) principle by joining staple fibers and polymer right at the extrusion stage into a composite structure which utilizes the inner polymer-matrix bonding forces to from a spun yarn, with a retained twist in consequence of the interfiber and intermolecular slip in the semimolten polymer while the yarn is produced at linear wind-up speeds from 500-1000 ft/min in one continuous process from staple fibers and resin pellets. The process is fiber-independent, permitting conversion of natural, synthetic, or mineral staple fibers, of long or short staple in a blend with any type of thermoplastic polymer into composite "Bobtex" ICS yarns which are satisfactory for numerous end uses. The implications of this Canadian invention and development are analyzed in the light of its flexibility to engineer yarn properties as well as considerations of reduced costs of spun yarn production, substantial raw-material savings, as well as increases in productivity per worker and per capital invested. After many years of intensive research and development activity, the "Bobtex" ICS technology is reaching commercial status. 'I'his activity has also resulted in the "Bobtex" Aerodynamic Brake Spinning (ABS) which is now in the tabora tory stage. Basically different from turbine or centrifugal forces utilizing open-end spinning systems, the "Bobtex" ABS method produces 100% staple fiber yarns twisted in an axial direction by a false-twist type spindle imparting a positive twist and producing a linearly wound-up yarn package at output speeds many times faster than any hitherto known open- end systems.