Comparison of the effects of yarn spinning methods on sheeting fabrics

The purpose of this study was to compare the tensile, tear, and abrasion performance of (a) air-jet spun warp and fill, (b) vortex spun warp and fill, and (c) ring spun warp and vortex spun fill 60% cotton/40% polyester sheeting fabric after 25 washings, and shrinkage of the same fabrics after three washings. The plain weave, bleached, unprinted sheeting fabric had a thread count of 200 threads per square inch and a yarn size of 41/1. The tensile, tear, and abrasion data were also compared before and after wash for each individual fabric. The test data were examined with SPSS statistical programs. Significant differences were found between the ring, air jet, and vortex yarns in the tensile strength tests after wash based on test method ASTM D 5034-95. Significant differences were also found in each fabric before and after wash in the tensile strength tests. Significant differences were found between the ring spun yarns and the air jet and vortex spun yarns in the tear strength tests after wash based on test method ASTM D 1424-96. Significant differences were also found in each fabric before and after wash in the tear strength tests. No significant difference was found between the yarns in the dimensional stability tests based on test method AATCC 135-1995. No difference was found between the fabrics before and after wash in the abrasion resistance tests based on test method ASTM D 4966-98. In conclusion, the ring spun yarn is stronger than the airjet and vortex spun yarns in tensile and tear tests. However, all fabrics meet the specification requirements for sheeting fabrics outlined in ASTM D 5431-93 Standard Performance Specification for Woven and Knitted Sheeting Products for Institutional and Household use.