Friction spinning: an investigation of yarn formation

Friction spinning is a relative newcomer to textile technology. It has generated great interest because of its potential for wide application of certain problems regarding the quality of yarn produced at high output rates can be solved. General acceptance of the process is hindered by uncertainty as to its capability of producing yarns of sufficient strength at speeds greater than 300 m/min. (NB: as a guide, maximum output rates of competitive technologies are no more than 150 m/min.) Friction spinning appears to have no intrinsic self-limit to its maximum output rate, unlike ring and rotor spinning which are limited by centrifugal effects leading to excessive yarn breakages. The process will therefore provide something of a quantum leap in output if acceptable yarn quality is achieved. [Continues.]