Instability tests for air-jet textured yarns

The air-jet texturing process is briefly introduced and its advantages over other texturing processes are summarized. Characteristics of air-jet textured yarns are stated with special reference to the stability of the yarns. Test methods used in industry and research to determine the "stability" or "instability" of air-jet textured yarns are critically reviewed. These methods involve different basic principles and therefore inevitably give different results. There is no consensus on a standard method. Effects of various test parameters, such as specimen length, test duration, and the alternatives of using a single yarn, a hank, or a skein as a test specimen are investigated. An improved test method is suggested as a standard instability test, and various existing methods are compared with it. Results of all the methods show similar trends for varying values of air pressure. Other yarn characteristics such as linear density, breaking elongation, and tenacity are also determined, and their indications of yarn quality are compared with the indications of instability tests. Stability test results alone provide misleading information regarding air-jet textured yarn quality.