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Abstract:
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Textile manufacturers spend thousands of dollars annually ensuring that proper
relative humidities are maintained during the processing of 100% cotton. Many textile
companies also spend thousands of dollars on equipment to moisturize the yarn after it
has been produced, which allows for higher production speeds on knitting and weaving
machines, more even distribution throughout the package, and uniform friction values.
Consistency in manufacturing textiles is of major importance. If spinners applied
specific levels of moisture and knew what relative humidity was required to maintain
specific moisture levels in cotton fibers during processing, spinners may be able to
produce products at more consistent process efficiencies and quality levels.
The results of this research provided cotton yarn manufacturers with the data that
determined if achieving uniform moisture levels in cotton prior to processing yielded
higher quality products at minimal expense to a manufacturing facility. Previous
research had indicated that 6.4 % moisture content had desirable effects on cotton
quality. This research applied moisture to obtain a 7 and 8 % moisture content in the
100% cotton stock and determined if there were added benefits to moisturizing cotton
prior to processing.
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