Evaluation of Linen Yarn Performance using Thermal Analysis and Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

During the processing of rove bobbins by alkali boil and bleach sequences, flax fibres undergo significant physical changes, particularly to the shape and size of fibre bundles. The important characteristics of wet-spun yarns are high strength and low extension at break. Warp yarns are usually sized to improve weavability and reduce the number of yarn breaks, which are caused by thin & thick places, cross ends and other faults. Weaving stoppages as a result of warp and weft breaks are the main factor in low production efficiency. Warp breakage rates of 5-10 per 10000 picks are common with poor quality yarns. Research carried out over the past 10 years has shown that warp yarn quality can be monitored using changes in tenacity, regularity, thermal analysis and visible and near infrared spectra. Quality evaluation protocols and models have been developed based on yarn samples obtained from European and Asian wet-spinners.