|
Abstract:
|
The Murata Vortex Spinner (MVS) was introduced in 1997, producing 100%
cotton yarn at speeds of 350 to 400 meters per minute. These speeds are 20 times faster
than the capacity of ring spinning, the oldest of all current spinning systems, which is still
used because of its broad count range, flexibility to handle most fiber types, relatively
simple mechanism, and high quality of the spun yarn. Although several American textile
companies are currently using MVS technology, very little research has been published
about the capabilities of this new system. MVS yarn is currently being used in knitted
fabrics, but the feasibility of producing MVS yarns that can replace ring spun yarns in
knitted fabrics has not been publicly researched.
For this research, two staple lengths each of Eastern cotton, California cotton, and
a 50/50 Eastern/California blend were spun into carded and combed, 2011 Ne and 3011
Ne, MVS and ring spun yarns. The yarns were then knit into single-jersey (20/1 Ne) or
interlock (30/1 Ne) fabrics and dyed. The results of this research indicated that fabrics
made from MVS yarn had a more even appearance than fabrics made from ring spun
yarn, while ring fabrics had a better hand. MVS fabrics also had higher pilling resistance
than ring fabrics. MVS yarn had better evenness, more elongation, and fewer thin and
thick places, but had inferior strength compared to ring spun yarn. Although combing
produced a better MVS fabric appearance, carded MVS yarn properties were often
comparable to combed ring spun yarn properties. Additionally, the cost of producing
MVS yarn was found to be significantly lower than the cost of producing ring spun yarn.
|