Fiber Surface Properties in Relation to Linear Assemblies During Processing

Abstract

Samples of smooth and rough staple polyester fibers, serving as models, taken from linear assemblies at various stages of processing on the three important yarn systems were evaluated for surface and geometric properties. It was found that asperity count decreases substantially with successive stages of processing, indicating that processing tends to reduce surface roughness at the microscopic level. Results showed that process ing does not affect the frictional characteristics of either the smooth or rough model-fiber samples. While average staple lengths are appreciably reduced by processing on the three systems, no significant differences in this effect, as between smooth and rough fibers, were observed. In general, while it was found that both samples lost crimp during processing, there was greater crimp retention in the smooth than in the rough fibers.