Effect of Fiber Cross Section on Rotor Spinning of Polyester

Abstract

The effect of polyester fibers with nonround cross sections on the rotor spinning of 100% polyester and 50% polyester/50% cotton yarns is determined. The polyester cross sections are hollow with a 5% void and trilobal, oval, ribbon, peanut, and scalloped oval shapes. The polyester fibers (oval, ribbon, peanut, scalloped oval shapes) with aspect ratios greater than one have fewer yarn breaks than the stiffer polyester fibers (round, hollow, trilobal shapes) with an aspect ratio of one. The peanut and scalloped oval fibers, which combine a multilobal character with an aspect ratio greater than one, have the fewest yarn breaks. The superior rotor spinning of these nonround fibers is believed to be the result of enhanced twist propagation due to lower torsional rigidity and lower fiber-to-surface contact.