Air Jet Yarn Comparison Air Jet Spinning

Air Jet Yarn Comparison

Air jet spinning is relatively new, only beginning to be widely used in the late 1990s (Leitner, 2012; Kadolph, 2007; Tyagi & Shaw, 2012). Before it was used, ringspinning and rotorspinning were the common ways of creating yarn (Leitner, 2012). However, it had its limitations. Now that the popularity of air jet yarns is growing, there are still differences that have to be considered. One of these is between Viscose fiber air jet yarns and Tencel fiber air jet yarns when it comes to the applications of end users of the product. Air jet fibers of all kinds produce less yarn "hair" on the fabrics and also create less lint (Leitner, 2012).

They also give a very even appearance to the fabric and improve the piling performance (Leitner, 2012). Knitted fabrics are made from air jet yarn such as Viscose at the present time, and it is believed that Tencel will expand the limits of air jet technology with regard to spinning (Leitner, 2012). The Tencel yarn and the fabric it is created from will also be a significant softness improvement over what is currently offered by Viscose (Leitner, 2012). One of the problems with Viscose fiber is that it was not able to match the strength of fabric created through the ringspun method. The strength of yarn fiber in making fabric has been a serious concern since textile creation began (Barber, 1994; Collier, 1970)

Tests with Tencel fiber, however, exceeded strength requirements that Viscose was not able to meet (Leitner, 2012). Tencel fabrics are being used in workwear and corporatewear now, as they provide superior quality (Leitner, 2012). With the strength of Tencel fiber air jet yarn, fabrics that would have traditionally needed ringspun yarn can be created. This can be a cost-effective way to create more fabrics for all types of work and home applications. Soon, woven fabrics can also be created based on Tencel air jet applications, which will allow for greater expansion of the air jet yarn market (Leitner, 2012).

Viscose is another air jet yarn application, although it does not have the strength and availability seen by Tencel. That does not mean it is not a good yarn, however, but only that it is not used in the same way and does not meet some of the same requirements that would be needed for woven fabrics. The higher packing density of air jet yarns is also an important consideration when it comes to both Viscose and Tencel (Tyagi & Shaw, 2012). The two types of yarns are very similar, while Viscose has been used for a longer period of time and in wider applications.

Tencel is relatively new from an air jet standpoint, where Viscose has been used as ringspun yarn and then made the move over to air jet applications (Tyagi & Shaw, 2012). The differences between them relate to their strength and durability, the "hairiness" they possess, and the types of fabrics that are created with them (Leitner, 2012; Tyagi & Shaw, 2012). Additionally, there are differences as they relate to end user applications. While Viscose has been used for nearly everything, from clothing to table cloths, Tencel is currently being studied in work clothing and corporate applications (Leitner, 2012).