USDA Natural Fiber Blend Research1

Abstract

The processing of cotton/wool blends on the cotton system to produce yarns for fabrics for flight- crews' uniforms was investigated. Fibers (a combed Acala 1517-V cotton, a stretch-broken 64s wool, and a cut 64s wool) were blended in various percentages during drawing. The 39-mg/m (Neo = 15/1) yarns with different twists were spun on both the ring and open-end spinning systems to form warp and filling yarns. These yarns were made into 2/2 right-hand twill fabrics. Optimum processing variables for roving and ring-spinning processes are given. Yarn and fabric data from the ring and open-end spun lots are compared with corresponding worsted lots. In general, ring-spun yarns ranked first, open-end-spun yarns second, and worsted yarns third in pertinent yarn properties. In gray fabrics, ring yarn ranked first, worsted second, and open-end third. High-quality products of cotton/ wool blends can be produced on the cotton system.