Investigation of the use of steam for spun-like textured yarn manufacturing : effect of production speed on yarn properties

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of steam in order to replace air in the production of spun-like textured yams. Further, this paper analyse the effect of production speed on process and textured yam properties. Design/methodology/approach - An existing air-jet texturing machine was modified to supply either air or steam to the texturing nozzle. Using standard commercial nozzles, both air-jet and steamjet textured yams were manufactured by varying production speed. Findings - It can be concluded that steam can be used as an alternative fluid for air in making spun-like textured yams. Results show that yam parameters for steam-jet texturing show a similar trend to those of air-jet texturing relative to the production speed. Further, sewing threads made from steam-jet textured yams showed good sewability up to the speeds of 350 m/min. Research limitations/implications - Only the effect of production speed on process and yam parameters is discussed in this paper. Production speed was limited to 350 m/min due to machine constraints. Practical implications - Steam is more economical than air to manufacture spun-like textured yam at commercial pressures such as 8 bar. Steam-jet textured yams could be used for commercial applications such as sewing threads at competitive speeds. Further, steam could be generated using sustainable and renewable fuel sources such as biomass. Originality/value - This research introduced steam as an alternative fluid for air in manufacturing spun-like textured yams.