Nature of Fiber Loss in Combing

Abstract

Fiber-length distribution of comber sliver was compared with that of the comber lap to find out the amount of fiber loss obtained in various length groups. Such an analysis of the fiber loss was found to be useful in understanding the mechanism of fiber removal and fiber breakage in combing. Effect of important factors, such as step gauge, top comb action, and lap preparation, was studied.

Distribution of fiber loss vs fiber length was found to be bimodal with Drawing-Super lap preparation. This was due to the fact that the actual probability of fiber removal decreases while that of fiber breakage increases with increased fiber length. As the pieces of broken long fibers contribute to the middle-length groups, the fiber loss was found to be minimum in this group.

Use of wider step gauges, use of top comb, and presence of prominent trailing hooks were found to give a general increase in the fiber loss in all length groups. Long staple cottons were found to give relatively more fiber breakage, while use of extra drawing frame in the lap preparation was found to give much less fiber breakage.