Evaluating staple fiber processing propensity - Part II: Processing propensity of polyester/cotton blends

This part of our study focuses on an analysis of the fiber processing prope nsity of polyester fibers and cotton/polyester blends. Using the modified r otor ring system discussed in Part I, we conduct several experiments and ob tain some interesting results indicating that polyester fibers have a uniqu ely different processing propensity than cotton fibers, and that different kinds of polyester fibers may behave differently during processing. When po lyester fibers are blended with cotton fibers, the processing propensity of the blend varies in a nonlinear fashion with respect to the behavior of th e individual components. When repeated processing runs are considered, cott on fibers require lower energy for opening than the first pun, while polyes ter fibers require substantially higher energy. Finally, the proposed proce ssing propensity measures correlate well with parameters characterizing act ual processing performance, including nep count and short fiber content of fibers and cohesion of actual drawn slivers.