The influence of component stiffness on the structure of multi-thread fancy bouclé yarn

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between the structure of fancy bouclé yarns and the bending stiffness of the input threads that are used to make those fancy yarns. Four fancy bouclé yarns and an extra two confirmation bouclé yarns were made to test the impact of the bending stiffness of the effect input threads. Six fancy yarns were made to test the impact of bending stiffness of the core thread on the fancy yarn structure. The structure of the fancy yarn was defined by the number of fancy profiles, the size of fancy profile, the circularity ratio of fancy profile and the shape factor of fancy yarn. It was found that increasing the value of the stiffness of the effect thread increased the size of fancy profile but decreased both the number of fancy profiles and the shape factor of fancy yarn. Those relationships were represented by regression models that were significant at α = 0.10. The deviation between the theoretical values and the real values was −14.39% and 2.07%. Further, up to a value of 8.636 g mm2, the bending stiffness of the core thread appeared not to have an effect on the structure of the fancy yarns. This study is important as it is the first that accounts statistically for the impact of bending stiffness of the input threads on the structure of the resultant fancy yarns. Therefore, it aids fancy yarn manufacturers when designing fancy yarns with predicted structures.