University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative

Exchange
Masters Theses Graduate School

11-1963

An Experimental Study of Spinning Tension and Its

Relation to Fiber Properties and End Breakage
Charles Busch Landstreet
University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Recommended Citation
Landstreet, Charles Busch, "An Experimental Study of Spinning Tension and Its Relation to Fiber Properties and End Breakage. "
Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1963.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/3132

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To the Graduate Council:
I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Charles Busch Landstreet entitled "An Experimental Study
of Spinning Tension and Its Relation to Fiber Properties and End Breakage." I have examined the final
electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Polymer Engineering.
Anna Jean Treece, Major Professor
We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance:
David Chambers, Lois E. Dickey
Accepted for the Council:
Carolyn R. Hodges
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
(Original signatures are on file with official student records.)
 November 11, 196 3

To the Graduate Council:

I am submitting herewith a thesis written by

Charles Busch Landstreet entitled "An Experimental Study
of Spinning Tension and Its Relation to Fiber Properties
and End Breakage". I recommend that it be accepted for
nine quarter hours of credit in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of Master of Science,
with a major in Textiles.

�adZ�
or o aaor
v

We have read this thesis

and recommend its acceptance:

Accepted for the Council:

AN EXPER IMENTAL STUDY OF SPINNING TENSION

AND ITS RELATION TO FIBER PROPERT IES

AND END BREAKAGE

A Thesis

Presented to

the Graduate Council of

The University or Tennessee

In Partial Fulfillment

or the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Science

by

Charles Busch Landstreet

December 196 3
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author acknowledges Catherine Landstreet, wife,

whose capable help and encouragement contributed greatly

toward the completion of this work; Miss Catherine Waggoner

who assisted in all the experimentation and calculations,

and Mr. Herbert Hutchens and the USDA Spinning Laboratory

staff for the mechanical processing.

ii

�R4G61
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. INTRODUCT ION .......... ...... . . .. .... . . . . . . . . .. . 1

Statement of the Problem ..................... 1

Review of Present Methods .................... 3
Definition of Terms • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • , • • . 5
II. METHOD OF PROCEDURE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • 8
Theory of Spinning Tension • . • . . • • • • • • • • . . . • ·. • 8
Tension Meters · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · � · · · · · · · · · · 11

Effect of Tension on Yarn Properties:

Material and Methods • • • • • • • • . • • ;• . • • • • . . • • • 14

Strain Gage Measurements • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . . • 22

Accelerated End-Breakage Rate Test • • • • . • • • • . • 22

.
Maximum Spinning Tension Study ............... 27

I II. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS • • • • • • . • • • . • • • • • • • • . • • . • • • 35

Effect of Tension on Yarn Strength and

Elongation • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • . . • • • 35
Effect of Traveler Weight and Spindle

Speed • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • . • • • 36
Accelerated End-Breakage Rate Test • • • • • • . . • • • 38
Effect of Fiber Properties on Maximum

Spinning Tension • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • 38
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS • • • . . • • • • • • • . • • • • • . • • • . • 41

L ITERATURE C ITED .. .. ......... . .... ....

. . . . . . .... . .. . .
44
iii
 L IST OF TABLES

TABLE PAGE

I. Test Conditions for Producing Given Spinning

Tension for Three Yarn Numbers ooo o o o o o o o o o o o o 16

II. Individual Skein Strengths for Run-1, 161s

Yarn at Five Values of Spinning Tension • • o ooo 17

III. Individu al Skein Strengths for Run-2, 16•s

Yarn at Five Values of Spinning Tension • • • o •• 18

IV. The Effect of Traveler Weight and Spindle Speed

on Spinning Tension for 22Vs Yarn o • • • o oooo o o o 25

V. Fiber Data and Average Maximum Spindle Speed

for the Paired Samples Used in the Accelerated

End Breakage Rate Test o o o oo o o o oo oo oo o o o o o o o o o 30

VI. Maximum Spindle Speeds for the Te,st P air

Differing Only in Fiber Length o o o oooo o o o o o o o • 31

VII. Maximum Spindle Speeds for the Test Pair

Differing Only in Fiber Tenacity oo o o o o o o o o o o o 32

VIII. Maximum Spindle Speeds f or t he Test P air
Differing Only in Fibe� Fineness o o o o o oo o o o o •• 33

iv
 LIST OF FI GURES

FIGURE PAGE

1. A Sc hemati c Diagram of the Spinning Frame

C omponents for Twisting and Winding the Yarn:

A, an Elevation; Bg a Plan View o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oo 9

2. The Mechanical Tension Meter Mounted on the F2

Spinning Frame o o o oo o ooo o o o ooooo o o o o o o o oo o o o o o o o 12

3. A Sc hemati c Diagram of the Mechanical Tension

4.
Meter o o • o o o o oo o o o o o o o � o • o o • • o o o o o . o o o o o • oo • • • o o 13

Effec t ot Spinning Tension on Yarn Skein Strength

and Elongation for 161s Yarn oo o o o oo ooooo o o o o o o o 19

5. Effect of Spinning Tension on Yarn Skein Strength

and Elongation for 22's Yarn o oo o oo o o o oo o o oooo o o 20

6. Effect of Spinning Tension on Yarn Skein Strength

and Elongation for 50's Yarn ooo o oo o o oooo oo oooo • 21

1. Effect of Traveler Weight on Spinning Tensi on

for 169s Yarn oo oo o o oo o o oo ooooo o o ooooo ooooo o o o o o 23

�
Bo Effect of Traveler Weight on Spinning Tension

for 32's Yarn o o o o o o o o o o oo oo o o o ooooooo o o oo o o o o o o

9. Effect of Spindle Speed on Spinning Tension for

Four Traveler Numbers o oo o o o ooooooo o oooooooo o o oo 26

10. The Variable Speed Drive on the F2 Spinning

Frame oo o oo o o o o o o • o • o o o o • o o o oo o oo o o o • o o • o oo o o o· • o 28

v
 vi

FIGURE PAGE

11. Effect of Three Fiber Properties on Max�um

34
Spinning Tension. Maximum Spindle Speed is

in Thousands of rpm • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • •
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Statement of the Problem

The last step in making a fibrous yarn is reducing

the weight per unit length of material to a pre determined

value and locking the fibers into a continuous strand by

inserting twist. This is the principle of the modern

spinning frame and also the ancient spinning wheelo

The reduction of weight per unit length, or draft­

ing, is accomplished by precision rollers and synthetic

aprons. The t�ist is inserted by turning the yarn about

its own axis with a spindle and ring arranged in a partic­

ular manner. The yarn is wound on the bobbin during the

twisting operation.
The twisting and winding during the spinning process

cause tension in the yarn. The yarn at times cannot sup­

port the load due to tension and the fibers either break
or slip apart and the yarn breaks. Mill terminology for
this oecurence is " end down " or "end break "o
The ends-down rate is usually expressed as the
number of breaks per thousand spindle hours. This rate

is an important factor in mill operation and in a general

way is the most important indicator of mill e.ffieiency.

.
The ends-down rate in an average American mill ranges

1
 2
from 10 to over 200 per thousand spindle hours. This im­

portant event is a relatively infr e quent occurenceo If

the ends-down rate were 50, this would be equivalent to

one break every twenty miles of 22's yarn.

The end-breakage rate is a .function of many variables,

some of which can be controlled and some of which cannoto

Spindle speed, ring diameter, yarn number, yarn twist, and

tiber properties are s ome of the controllable variableso

Ring wear, traveler wear, and yarn irregularity are variables

that cannot be controlled.

Experiments conducted in a spinning laboratory can be

carried out under test conditions that are impossible to

duplicate in a textile mill. The disadvantage is that to

get reproducible results long-term experiments are required

i.f conventional test methods are used. The experiments be­

come expensive and time consuming. There is little recorded

data relating fiber properties, yarn tension, and end-break­

age rates.
The study of spinning tension as it affects yarn pro­
perties required the development of special instruments and
techniques. Two devices were built and used. One was a

mechanical tension meter attached directly to the spinning

frame. The second was an adaptation of a strain gage,

strain gage amplifier, and continuous strip-chart recorder.

The effects of spindle speed and traveler weight on

 3
spinning tension were studied. Spinning frame adjustments

were worked out to give desired tensions, and the effect of

these tensions on yarn physical properties analyzed.

The specific objectives of this study were:

1. To develop an instrument which would measure spin­

ning tension over a wide �angeo

2. To work out combinations of spindle speed, traveler

weight, and yarn number producing predetermined

yarn tension.

3. To develop an accelerated end-breakage rate test

for laboratory use.

4. To use the accelerated end-breakage rate test to

measure the effects of fiber length, tenacity,

and fineness on the ability of a yarn to support

a load while spinning.

The present study was also to serve as a guide to

further experiments involving fiber properties and end­

breakage rates.

Review of Present Methods

The theoretical aspects of spinning tension were

investigated by De Barr (l)o In his many publications, he

developed equations for describing mathematically the shape

of the balloon formed by the yarn during spinning, and for

the forces acting on the traveler.

 4
An att empt was made by Woo (2) to predict end-break-

age rates from small lot spinning tests. The theo):-y was

that if an end break were an infrequent occurence, the rate

could be described by the Poisson distribution. Tables were

worked out so that t he end-bre akage rat e could be predict ed

from a small number of observations.

A met hod for measuring the "spinnability" of cotton

and Eddins { 3).

in terms of the end-breakage rate wa.s developed by Burley

For this test an 84-spindle frame, four

yarn numbers, and a 1-hour running time for each yarn number

were used. A 15-minute warm-up time was required. The yarn

number versus end-breakage rate for each yarn number was

plotted to determine the spinnable limit of a cotton. The

yarn number that gave an end-breakage rate of 20 ends down

per hour was considered the spinnable limit.

The problem of relat ing fiber properties to end­

breakage rate was described by Fiori, Louis, and Tallant (4).

They showed that because no rapid, reliable method existed

for measuring e nd-breakage rates, only limited information

was available.

investigated by Burley and Milliken {5).

The effect of yarn size on spinning end-breakage was
They tried to

explain discrepancies in observed end-breakage rates in

laboratory experiments in terms of small differences in

the actual yarn number. No single correction could be

 5
found for all levels of end-breakage rateso

A small-sample spinning test was developed by

Louis (6) at the Southern Regional Research Laboratoryo

This test measured the end-breakage rates and required

51-hours to perform. The test was based on the theory

that too much or too little twist caused excessive end

breakage in spinning. End breakage was caused by two

variables--spindle speed and twist multiplier--which were

allowed to vary simultaneouslyo Other factors, such as

initial twist multiplier and front roller speed, varied

from cotton to cotton and had to be arbitrarily choseno

Results based on the Louis testg reported in 1962

by Louis and Fiori (7 ) g agreed with those obtained at the

United States Department of Agriculture Laboratory at

Knoxville with the accelerated end-breakage rate test.

Definition of Terms

Technical terms used in this thesis and not defined

in the subsequent text are as follows:

Card - A textile machine used for converting a lap

to sliver. The weight per unit length of the sliver 1�

generally about 110 times less than that of the lapo

Ring - The part of a s pinning frame on which the

traveler rideso Rings are mounted on ring rails in such

a way that the bobbins are perpendicular to the plane of

 6

the rings and on their vertical centers.

Roving - A softly twisted strand of fibers, greater

in weight per unit length than yarn but less than sliver.

The fibers have been drafted and twisted to give the roving

strength.

Roving Frame - A textile machine for converting

sliver into roving. The sliver is drafted, twisted and

stored on bobbins for spinning.

Sliver - A long, continuous rope-like strand of

fibers containing no twist.

Spinning Frame - A textile machine for making yarn

by drafting either sliver or roving to the desired size,

inserting twist, and storing the yarn on a bobbin.

Traveler - A small, almost circular wire clip.

The opening is pressed over the ring on the spinning frame

and the ends of the traveler fit under the flanges on the

ring. The yarn passes from the thread guide, under the

traveler, and around the bobbin. A medium-sized traveler

has about the same diameter as a common led peneilo
Traveler number - An arbitrary number scale assign­
ed to travelers. Travelers numbered 1, 2, 3, etc. , get

heavier as the number increases. Travelers numbered 1/o,

2/o, 3/o, etc., get lighter as the number increases.

Yarn - " A generic term for an assemblage of fiber.s

or filaments, twisted together to form a eontinuous strand

 7

which can be used for making a textile 11\aterial" (8).

Yarn Count - A number expressing the length per uni,t

weight o� yarn. The length is in hanks of 840 yards and

the weight in pounds.
Drawing Frame - A textile machine used for parallell­
ing the fibers in sliver by drawing them by each other with

pairs of rollers.
 CHAPTER II

METHOD OF PROCEDURE

Theory of Spinning Tension

Spinning tension occurs in the yarn between the bite

of the front rollers on a spinning frame and the bobbin on

which the yarn is wound. Two schematic diagrams tor t he

s�ple analysts of spinning t ension are shown in Figure 1 .

The front rollers, thread guide, ring, traveler, and bobbin

are shown in Figure lA. A plan view of the ring, traveler,

and bobbin is shown in Figure lB.

There will be no motion in any component when t he

frame is at rest, and the tension T in the yarn will be

zero. Each revolut ion of the bobbin would wind pi times

the bobbin diamet er length of yarn provided t his much yarn

was delivered by the front rollers, and the traveler re­

mained at rest on the ring. The tension buil�s very

rapidly as the bobbin rotates because no yarn is being

delivered. The component T1 of this tension acting on
the t raveler perpendicular to the ring r �pidly overcomes
the traveler drag, and the traveler starts to move. How­

ever, when the traveler start s to move the component T 1

diminishes, and yarn tension is reduced. If the component

T1 should become smaller than the drag, t he traveler would

stop. But when the traveler is stopped yarn tension builds

g
 rollers

-DnDnln

. yarn guide

B .

Figure 1. A schematic diagram of· the spinning frame component s for ·t wist ing
and winding the yarn: A, an elevation; B, a plan view.·
"'

:.-
 10

rapidly, and the process of stop and go of the traveler is

repeated. Actually when the bobbin is rotated with uniform

motion and no yarn is delivered by the front rollers, the

traveler will rotate with a uniform speed eq ual to that of

the bobbin.

When the bobbin is run at a uniform speed and the

front rollers deliver yarn at a constant rate, the traveler

will run at a lower speed than before because of lower yarn

tension. The traveler speed can be calculated when the

delivery rate, spindle speed, and bobbin diameter are known,

as follows:

Ts =s - (+ · J. ) 1.

where Ts is the calculated traveler speed, S the spindle

speed in rpm, R the delivery rate in inches per minute, and

d the bobbin diameter.

If the spindle speed were 10,000 rpm, the delivery

9864
rate 300 inches per minute, and the bobbin diameter 0.70

inches, the .calculated traveler speed would be rpm.

This difference in the speed of the bobbin and the speed

of the traveler is just eno-ugh to wind the yarn that is

9864
delivered by the front rollers. The yarn would receive

turns of twist in one minute or 32.8 turns per inch

of yarn.
 11

(9)
Yarn tension is necessary and supplies the force to

move the traveler around the ring. There is evidence

that the force is not constant but may increase and decrease

as the traveler makes one revolution. The brief description

of the spinning process has been greatly simplified, and

yarn contraction due to twist has not been considered.

Tension Meters

Two tension meters were developed. The first was

a mechanical device used for most of the exper�ental work.

·The second meter was a modi�ication or a Sanborn amplifier

and recorder and is referred to in this study as the strain

gage meter.

A photograph of the mechanical meter mounted on the

3.
F2 spinning frame is shown in Figure 2. A schematic dia­

gram for this meter is shown in Figure The yarn segment

in which the tension was measured lies between poi nts P 1

and P2. The meter was mounted in such a way that when the

weight supporting ar.m �� Figure 3, was vertical, the roller

ar.m b was parallel to the yarn segme�t P 1P2 . P3 was then

on the perpendicular biseet·or of P 1P2o When the meter was

in the operating position, the yarn segment was deflected

and formed the angles B 1 and B2. The weight supporting

arm was also deflected and formed the angle Q with the

vertical.
 .......
Figure 2. The mechanical tension meter m ounted on the F2 spinning frame. 1'\)
 p2.

Legend

Pl-P2 yarn segment

B1 deflection angle
B2 deflection angle
\ PJ roller

P,
\ a weight arm
\ b roller arm
\..,.....Q w weight
\ q deflected position
\ of weight

).....,
\

,_,

Figure 3. A schematic diagram of the mechanical tension meter. ....

\,..)
 14
The tension in the deflected yarn segment can be

calculated as follows:

a W tan Q
T = -- .
2
b sin B1 + sin B2

where T is the calculated tension, W the weight on the arm,

� the length of the weight arm, and b the length of the

roller arm.

Several factors such as friction and yarn rigidity

caused the theoretical static calibration to be biased.

The final dial divisions were made using an experimental

method. A series of accurate weights were attached to fine

threads. These threads were mounted in the spinning frame

in the same position that a yarn would have while spinning.

The deflection of the tension meter pointer for each of the

calibration weights was carefully marked on the dial. A

series of deflections were made for each weight, and the

final dial mark was the average position.

A load detector for the Sanborn amplifier was made

by cementing a strain gage element to a piece of beryllium
copper. This unit was attached to a mounting bracket and
occupied the same position on the spinning frame as did

the mechanical meter.

Effect of Tension on Yarn Properties: Material and Methods

One cotton representing medium staple Upland was

 15

selected. The cotton was processed on conventional machin­

ery except that no pi cker was used, and the card laps were

made by hand. The ha�d laps were carded on a Saeo Lowell

card i nto 45 grain per yard sli ver.

Two drawing processes were used with si x ends up at

each process. The 45-grain fini sher drawing was made into

1. 75, 2. 50 and 4.00 hank roving on a Whitin Superdraft

roving frame. Three yarn numbers--16•s, 22's and 50's-­

were spun on the Whitin F2 spinning frame. The twist

multipliers used were for maximum yarn strength (10).

The tension meter was installed on one spindle of

the spinning frame, and the preselected tensions were ob-

tained by varying both the spindle speed and traveler

weight as necessary. The test conditi ons for the 161s,

22's, and 50•s yarns are shown in Table I.

The yarn skein strength was measured on a model J

0
Scott tester under standard atmospheric conditions of 70 F

and 65 per cent relative humidity. The yarn elongation was

measured on a Scott IP-4 single-strand tester. The indi­
vi dual skein strengths for five different spinning tensions
for the 16•s yarn are shown in Table II and II I. These

data are representative, and no other individual readings

are shown. Graphs showing skei n strength and yarn elonga­

tion versus spinning tension for 161s, 221s, and 50's yarns

are shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 respectively.

 16

TABLE I
TEST CONDITIONS FOR PRODUCING GIVEN SP INNING TENSIONS
FOR THREE YARN NUMB ERS

Traveler Traveler Spindle

Yarn No. Tension (g.) No. Wt. (g.) Speed

161s
161s
5.
ii
19. 0
1
9
o.o65
0.149
4440
7 250
161s 36.06 12 0.214 7 250
16's 51. 11 17 0. 292 7 250
16's 64. 40 20 0. 338 7 445
22's 3. 90 3/0 0.049 4410
22's 18.13 8 0. 130 7 460
22's 39.49 11 0. 195 7 460
22ts 53.94 15 0.27 3 7 460
22Js 66. 36 15 0. 27 3 9380
50's 2. 30 12/0 0.029
50's 4. 90 12/0 0.029 mg
50's 7 .95 1 0.065 6800
50's 10. 30 3 . 0. 07 8 6800
50ts 14. 7 0 7 0.117 6800
 17

TABLE II

I NDI VIDUAL SKEI N ST RENGT HS FOR RUN-1, 16•s YARN AT

FI VE VALUES OF SPINNING T ENSION

Spinning Tension 5.44g. 19.8g. 36.1g. 5 1.1g. 64.4g.

Miniature Skein Strength in Pounds

94 101 102 10 4 101

93 100 100 106 106
81 100 98 107 101
94 100 97 104 93
92 96 99 102 107
94 103 99 97 102
97 94 102 107 103
91 106 107 102 107
76 101 102 99 105
94 96 104 111 103
91 98 101 99 104
86 101 98 103 10.5
8.5 94 98 108 102
8.5 100 100 102 107
88 107 100 110 106
82 101 101 104 97
93 100 104 100 105
86 96 102 100 103
83 9 .5 100 100 97
87 97 103 105 108
73 87 107 99 102
87 98 102 107 101
86 94 101 104 109
97 101 10.5 86
,90
86 100 98 103 104
86 97· 102 104 97
83 104 100 103 103
86 101 94 112 106
74 93 95 99 102
87 99 98 108 101

Mean 87.0 9 8.5 100.5 103.8 102.5

%
Std. Dev. 5.9 4.0 2.9 3. 8 3.7
4.1 2.9 ).6 3.4
c.v. 6.7
Yarn number 15. 7•s 8
15. •s 15.9 's 15 .9 's 15 .9's
 18

TABLE III

INDIVIDUAL SKEIN STRENGTHS FOR RUN-2, 16•s YARN AT

FIVE VALUES OF SPINNING TENSION

Spinning Tension 5.44g. 19.8g. 36.1g. 51.1g. 64.4g.

Miniature Skein Strength in Pounds

95 99 102 100 98
85 104 100 103 109
88 105 105 103 102
88 96 102 101 106
93
93
96
97
99
106
106
99
10
10
�
103 98 106 100 100
88 96 100 95 96
95 95 105 101 98
92 95 107 107 106
91 96 100 105 107
85 104 94 103 99
83
89
99
100
104
105
1�� 99
104
91 97 100 104 103
93 99 106 103 103
83 99 103 102 105
95 102 105 106 103
90 98 105 106 109
87 95 104 102 100
81 105 105 104 102
89 102 96 105 107
96 98 104 101 103
89 97 97 109 104
94 96 105 106 101
89 92 101 108 105
88 93 99 101 102
95 96 106 106 96
90 97 105 102 98
96 98 104 102 102

Mea n 90.5 98.1 102.7 103.4 102.6

Std. Dev. 4.3 3.4 3.3 '3.7 3.6
% c.v. 4.7 3. 5 3 .2 2.6 3.5
Yarn number 15.61s 15.81s 15.8•s 15.9's 15.9's
 10!5 - 10

•
-
•
.. 100 • 9 ,I
.a .
-
- z
0
%
.... ....
(!) 95 c 8 ·--

z (!)
11:1 z
a:: 0 -
.... ..J
(I) 90 11:1 7

L
z
�
i&.i
�
en 85 A s B

0 0

0 10 20 30 40 50 80 70 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

SPINNING TENSION (grams) SPINNING TENSION (Qrams)

!:0
-Figure 4. Effect of spinning tension on yarn skein strength and elongation
for 16' s yarn.
 70,_

•• 8

.i
88
-

67
t;
-
% z7
0

� 68
z i=
c
C!)
z

.,. 6
0
�
.,
�
w·
� 85
¥
Cl)

64

63 L 4
(
A 5 8

0 II 0 �--�--�--�

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

SPINNING TENSION ( eramt) SPif.. ING TENSION (Qrama)

Figure 5. Erfect of spinning tension on yarn_skein strength and elongation . N

0
for 22's yarn.
 21

z 6
0

�
i=
c
(!)
z
0
..J
L&J

� 4 8

S�INNING TENSION (grams)

0 2 4 6 a· 10 12 14 16

27

26

•
-

.G
- 25
%
t-
(!)
24
z
L&J
a:
t-
1/)
z 23
iij
�
1/)
22.

SPINNING TENSION (trame)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

strength and elongation for 5 0's yarn.

Figure 6. Effect of spinning tension 0n yarn skein
 22
Strain Gage Measurements
The strain gage meter did not give the same level of
results as the mechanical meter. Because of the basic dif­
ferences between the two instruments, no attempt was made
to correlate the readings. The strain gage was so sensitive
and difficult to damp in operation that the trace on the
strip-chart consisted of a band approximately !-inch wide,
made by the rapid pen deflections. The chart reading for
a given test was taken as the center of the band over a
relatively long running time.
Two experiments were performed with the strain gage
meter. Two yarn numbers--161s and 32's-- were spun with a
series of traveler weights and the graphs are shown in
Figures 7 and 8. The second experiment was performed using
22's yarn only. The spinning tension was measured using
seven spindle speeds and four traveler weights. The results
are summarized in Table IV and Figure 9.

Accelerated End-Breakage Rate Test

The accelerated and-breakage rate test was developed
because both tension meters were slow and difficult to cali­
brate and use. Studies with the tension meters showed that
if the proper values for the yarn number, ring diameter, and
traveler weight were chosen, yarn made from cottons having
any combination of fiber properties could be made to spin or
 30
•

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-25
•
E
•
..

�20

�15
z
0

...
�
G

:•o
8;
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0
0.1 o.z 0.3 0.4
TRAVELER WEIGHT (oramt)

Figure 7. Effect of traveler weight on spinning tension for 16•s yarn.

1\.)
VJ
 30

- 25
•
E
D
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!! 20
z
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. � ....--- ·
m

/�·
z 15
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./
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5 ..-----�
0
0 0. 1 0.2 0.3 0.4
TRAVELER WEIGHT (oroms)

F-igure 8. Effect.of traveler weight on spinning tension for 32's yarn.

�
 TABLE IV

THE EFFECT OF TRAVELER WEIGHT AND SPINDLE SPEED

ON SPINNING TENSION FOR 22's YARN

Spindle
Spinning Tension in Grams
Speed (rpm)

8/0 Travel�r No.1 Traveler No.5 Traveler No.8 Traveler

5000 5.0 7.5 9.2 11.5

6000 5.5 9.2 12.3 17.2
7000 9.5 11.2 15.0 21.8
8000 12.0 14.0 18.6 25.9
9000 14.8 17.5 22.6 32.3
10,000 16.6 21.0 27.5 38.4
11,000 20.5 26.0 35.0 46.5

{\)
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 �0

N0.8
4�

40

- 3�
•
e
a
�30
-

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0 NO.I
� 2S
Ill
�

� 20 8/0
z
z
iL
{/) 15

10

s •

0
0 2 3 4 � 6 7 8 · 9 10 II 12

SPINDLE SPEED 1\)

0'
Figure 9. Effect of spindle speed on spinning tension for .four traveler
numbers.
 21

could be stressed by varying only the spindle speed until

it broke. The Whitin F2 spinning frame was equipped with

a variable-speed drive and remote controlso The spindle

speed could be inereased9 decreased, or held constant by

these controls while the frame was running. A photograph

of the device is shown in Figure 10.
The spinning frame constants for the accelerated

end-breakage rate test were: (1) a 1.5 inch diameter ring,

(2) a number nine traveler, and ( 3) a 601s yarn. A stro­

botac was used to measure spindle speed. The test was

performed by first processing the test cotton into a 3.00

hank roving and then double creeling at the. spinning frame

to give a 1.50 hank roving. The spindle speed was set at

a low value, and the frame started. The spindle speed was
then increased continuously until the end broke. The
spindle speed at the break-point was measured with the

strobotac and recorded. The process was then repeated

until the desired number of observations were obtained.

Maximum Spinning Tension Study

The cottons for this experiment were selected so
that only one major fiber property at a time was allowed

to vary. This was possible only by selecting paired samples

from the United States Department of Agriculture Spinning

Laboratory's cotton library at Knoxvilleg Tennessee.

Figure 10. The variable speed drive on the F2 spinning frame. f\)
0'>
 29

The most difficult combination of properties to obtain was

long length. medium fineness, and low fiber tenacity. Only

one paired sample was available from the 1100 in the cotton

library. Three pairs were found that varied only in fiber

tenacity, and two pairs that varied only in fiber fineness.

Fiber data for all samples are shown in Table v.

The cottons were processed into 3.00 hank roving and

double creeled for spinning. The spin ning frame draft

gearing was adjusted to give 60's yarn, and the twist gears

were selected to twist each yarn for maximum skein strength.

Ten observations were made on a particu lar sampleo It was

then replaced with another, and ten observations made on

the new one. The samples were rotated in this way until

the desired number of observations were made. The order of

testing was random, and at least two groups of ten obser­

vations each were made on each cotton. Ten specimens from

each of 10 bobbins were measured for yarn elongation for

each sample. Individual representative observations of max­

imum spindle speeds for three paired samples are listed in

_
Tables VI, VII and VIII. The maximum spindle speeds and

elongation data for all samples are summarized in Figure ll.

 30

TABLE V

FIBER DATA AND AVERAGE MAXIMUM SPINDLE SPEED FOR THE

PAIRED SAMPLES USED IN THE AC CELERATED
END BREAKAGE RATE TEST

Sample UHM Fiber Fiber Spindle

Identification Length Tenacity Fineness Speed

Rl-53-lc 0. 99 21. 7 493 10.67

Ex-55-7t 1.00 15.8 490 8.71
C s-54-19t 1.08 22.2 430 10. 01
M-54-11t 1. 06 17.5 431 8.81

Br-55-13t 1.08 23.7 457 10.42

S-55-8t 1.07 18.5 468 9.17
Sh-57-o1d pima 1.48 24.6 519 10.44
Ss-52-3c 1.03 24.6 508 5.69

Cs-55-18t 1.02 18. 2 555 8.74

Cs-55-19t 1.03 17.8 473 8.67

C s-55-3t 0.86 17.0 582 8.70

M-55-3t 0.99 18.1 . 392 8.22

UHM Length - inches

Fiber Tenacity - gr �ms/tex
Fiber Fineness - mm /mm3
Spindle Speed - thousands of rpm
 TABLE VI

MAXIMUM SPINDLE SPEEDS FOR THE TEST PAIR DIFFERING ONLY

IN FIBER LENGTH

Spindle Speed in Thousands of Revolution per minute

Rep-1 Rep-2 Rep-3 Rep-4 Rep-1 Rep-2 Rep-3 Rep-4

Sh-Old Pima Ss-52-30

10.86 9.41 10.15 9.70 5.65 5.50 6.24 5.90

10.44 10.80 9.99 9.65 5.61 5.81 6.66 6.01
9.31 9.76 12.14 9.38 6.22 5.95 6.75 5.10
10.17 10.45 10.20 9.85 6.45 5.39 5.69 5.95
9.70 9.75 11.75 11.07 5.57 5.96 6.43 5.11
11.00 10.05 10.65 12.05 5.30 6.03 5.56 5.39
10.59 11.40 11.10 10.01 5.89 6.00 6.41 5.10
10.14 9.80 11.24 11.06 5.90 6.27 6.55 5.25
10.19 10.16 11.36 11.05 6.20 5.67 6.04 5.50
9.96 10.29 10.50 9.90 5.65 6.54 5.69 5.00

Mean 10o24 10.19 10.91 10.37 5.84 5.91 6.20 5.43

SD 0.49 0.56 0.69 0.83 0.34 0.33 0.41 0.37
%cv 4.76 5.45 6.31 7.95 5.80 5.51 6.20 6.81

�
......
 TABLE VII

MAXIMUM SPINDLE SPEEDS F OR A TEST PAIR DIFFERING ONLY

IN FIBER TENACITY

Spindle Speed in Thousands of Revolutions Per Minute

Rep-1 Rep-2 Rep-3 Rep-1 Rep-2 Rep-3

-

Br-55-13t S-55-St

9.45 11.10 9.10 7.81 9.86 7.95

8o83 11.00 10o05 8.80 7.86 10.00
8o91 12.10 8.16 9.18 9.51 llol 9
10.94 11.40 10.11 9.50 9o20 9.98
llol5 10.60 10.44 8.50 9.06 8.96
10.30 10.44 10o45 9o54 8o00 7.50
9.60 9o50 10.52 10.68 7o85 9.75
llo06 8.98 10o98 10.95 9ol2 7.45
10.20 9o80 10ol5 8.78 9.38 10.25
llol 9 8o50 10o35 9.73 8o31 8.56

%cv
Mean 10.16 10.34 10o03 9.35 8o82 9.16
SD 0.87 lo08 0.77 0.91 0.74 1.21
8.59 10.39 7.71 9.74 7.99 13.73

(ll
l\)
 TABLE VIII

MAXIMUM SPINDLE SPEEDS FOR A PAIR DIFFERING ONLY

IN FIBER FINENESS

Spindle Speed in Thousands of Revolution Per Minute

Rep-1 Rep-2 Rep-3 Rep-4 Rep-1· Rep-2 Rep-3 Rep-4

Cs-55-19t Cs-55-18t

9.2 0 8.90 9.70 7.94 8.89 9.30 9.10 7.96

8.86 8 . 44 9.94 8.45 9.18 9.65 8.44 8.54
8.60 8.40 9.15 7.60 9.4 9 8.94 7.94 8.20
8.59 8.50 8 . 94 8.74 9.55 8.50 8.85 8.60
8.86 8.70 9.44 8.76 9.55 7.64 8.85 8.15
8.35 8.24 8.84 8.75 8.50 9.04 9.66 8.30
8.80 8 . 44 8 . 94 9.,30 9.10 9.00 8.64 7.44
8.75 8.85 8.54 7.75 9.09 8.00 8.30 8.40
8e36 9.10 8.70 7.70 9.20 8.20 9.34 8.60
8.15 8 .. 50 8. 95 8.10 8.80 8.15 9.15 8.14

%av
Mean 8.,65 8o61 9ol1 8.,31 9.14 8.72 8.83 8.23
SD 0.2 9 0.26 0.43 0.54 0.33 0.5'7 O e 49 0.33
3.37 2.99 4.66 6.55 3.56 6.54 5.54 4 . 06

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 II t I II

10 10 � 10

0 9 0 9 0 9 4
LIJ LaJ
LIJ
LIJ le LaJ
0.
en
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8 I
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8
2 0.
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8
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s
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0 0
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.
x � )(
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2 2 :1
6' 6 6

A 8 c
·s s �

o· 0 0
0 1.0 1.2 1.4 . 1.6 0 16 18 20 22' 24 0 400 !500 600
.
U.H.M. LENGTH (in.) �NACITY (e/tex) FINENESS (mm�/mm�)

F�gure 1 1. Ef fect of three fiber properties on maximum spinning tension. Maximum

spindle speed _is in thousands or rpm. .

UJ
�
 CHAPTER III

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Both tension meters were difficult to use, and

neither would be satisfactory for textile mill applications.

The main source of trouble was machine vibration that could

not be damped out because of severe loss of instrument sen­

sitivity. The mechanical meter was affected less by vibra­

tion than the strain gage instrument.

The experimental calibration worked very well with

both devices although the tension levels were different.

Many experiments using the mechanical meter, but not re­

ported here (11), gave a good foundation for subsequent

research on spinning tension and led to the development

of the accelerated end-breakage rate test.

Effect of Tension on Yarn Strength and Elongation

Yarn strength increased as the spinning tension

6A, page 21, and 7A, page 23, was not linear.
increased. The relation, as shown in Figures 5A, page 20,

The change

in strength was rapid at first but became almost zero at

the higher values of spinning tension. Experiments have

shown that yarn strength as well as fiber strength increases

as the gage length of the specimen decreases (12). The

increased tension could possible have caused a shortening

35
 36

of the break-zone or gage length in the yarn resulting in

increased yarn strength. The higher tensions for the 16•s,

22•s, and 50•s yarns approached the level where the ends

would not stay up. The highest tension values used were

just below the point where the yarns would not spin. 'The
max�um spinning tensions were: 14.5 gr,ams for the 50•s,

55 grams for the 221s, and 65 grams for the 16•s yarn.

For practical spinning there is no need to approach these

values, since acceptable yarn strengths occurred at about

one-half the maximum tension.

The yarn elongation decreased without excepti on as

the spinning tension increased. The relation was linear

as shown in Figures 5B, page 20, 6B, page 2 1, and 7 B,

page 2 3• The lines were fitted by the method of least

squares. A fibr ous yarn resembles a spring with the

fibers at s ome helical angle. The higher this angle and

the loftier the yarn the higher will be the elongation.

Low tensi on spinning produced lo£ty yarns, and the high
tension yarns were hard. Part o f total yarn elongation is
the elongation of the fibers themselves. High tension
spinning removed s ome of this elongation contributing to

a decrease in the final yarn elongati on.

E ffects of Traveler Weight and Spindle Speed

Spinning frame travelers are designed to ride on
 37
the ring at very high speeds and produce a uniform tension
in the yarn. The selection of travelers is usually made by
a trial and error method. The effect of traveler weight on
yarn tension for two yarns is shown in Figures 8, page 24,
and 9, page 26. There is little difference in the yarn ten­
sion for a given traveler weight between the 161s and 32's
yarn even though the 161s has twice the weight per unit
length as the 32's. The actual yarn weight has a secondary
effect, compared to traveler weight, in producing yarn ten­
sion. In fact the yarn weight can be neglected for prac­
tical purposes. Certain travelers are so light that they
cannot produce sufficient tension to cause a yarn to spin.
All traveler weights shown in Figures 8, page 24, and 9,
page 26, provided sufficient spinning tension.
Spinning tension increased as the traveler weight
and spindle speed increased. The family of curves in
Figure 10, page 28, shows the relation for 22's yarn. The
ring diameter was 1.5 inches for this experiment. Larger
rings produce higher tension when all other variables are.
held constant. This family of curves could be used to
estimate tension when the ring diameter is 1.5 inches and
the traveler weight and spindle speed are known. The esti­
mates would be fairly accurate for yarn numbers other than
22's. The most significant aspect of the data in Figure 10,
page 28, is the uniform increase in spinning tension with
 38

an increase in traveler weight and spindle speed. There is

a common belief that at some value, not necessarily the

lowest value, of spindle speed a traveler will ride the

ring in such a way as to produce minimum spinning tension.

This condition is attributed to the geometry of the ring

and traveler. No such value occurred in the curves shown

in Figure 10, page 28.

Accelerated End-Breakage Rate Test

Many exper�ents in addition to those described here

were performed with the accelerated end-breakage rate test

(13). No changes were needed in the original spinning or­

ganization, and no cottons were found that were beyond the

spinning limits of the test. The average coefficient of

variation within samples of 10 observations was 6.56 per

cent. The time required for 10 observations after the

roving was made and in the spinning frame was about 1-hour.

No other end-breakage rate test with equal reliability has

been devised that could be performed in the same time.

Effect of Fiber Properties on Maximum Spinning Tension

The maximum tensions for this experiment were meas­

ured in terms of maximum spindle speeds. The mathmatical

relation between ·spindle speed and spinning tension is

extremely complicated. Empirical curves are shown in

Figure 9, page 26. Because these curves did not have

 39
extreme deviations from straight lines over the range of

spindle speeds tram 4000 to 11, 000 revolutions per minute,

no conversions to tension were made.

The observations were made in groups of 10, and the

mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation are

shown in Tables VI, page 31, VII, page 32, and VI I I, page 33.

Graphs of average values only are shown in Figure 11,

page 34.

The relation between maximum spindle speed and fiber

length is shown in Figure llA, page 34. A unit change in

length gave about 2 unit changes in the maximum spindle

speed. Few cottons are grown t hat exceed the range in

length shown in Figure llA, page 34. The longer the cotton

the higher the spindle speed at which it can be spun.

Higher spindle speeds mean higher mill efficiency and lower

processing costs.

The relation between fiber tenacit y and max�um

spindle speed is shown in the three curves in Figure llB,

page 34. One unit change in tenacity gave 0.53 unit changes
in maximum spindle speed. These results were rather star­
tling as it was believed that few if any fibers were broken

when an end came down during spinning. These data show

·
that strong cotton can be spun at higher speeds than weak

cotton.

The relation between fiber fineness and maximum

 40
spindle speed is shown by the two curves in Figure llC,

page 34. The fineness had little e ffect even over the wide
range from 400 to 600 mm2jmm 3. The samples Cs-55- 18t and

Cs-55- 19t, Table V, page 30, were not significantly di f fer­

ent at the 0.05 level. The samples Cs-55- 3t and M-55- 3t

were signi ficantly different at t his level but the differ­

ence o f 480 revolutions per minute is o f no practical value.

Again these results were surprising since it was believed

that fineness had almost as much effect on maximum spindle

speed as did length.

 CHAPTER IV

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The two tension meters that were developed worked

well in the laboratory. They would be difficult to cal­

ibrate and stabilize for mill applications. The meters

were able to measure spinning tension over a wide range

far beyond that found in normal spinning frame operation.

Data acquired with the tension meters were used to develop

an accelerated end-breakage rate test.

The effect of spinning tension on yarn strength and

elongation was investigated. Yarn skein strength increased

and elongation decreased as spinning tension increased.

The increase in yarn strength was attributed to the short­

ening of the break-zone in the yarn due to tighter packing

of the fibers. The decrease in elongation was due to the

removal of part of the elongation during spinning.

Studies using different traveler weights showed a

steady increase in tension as the spindle speed increased.

The accelerated end-breakage rate test was used to

measure the independent effects of fiber length, tenacity,

and fineness on the ability of a yarn to support a load

during the spinning process. Maximum spindle speed rather

than spinning tension was measured because of the ease with

which the value could be obtained. The relation between

41
 42
spindle speed and spinning tension was not linear, but the

departure from a straight line was not of the degree to

.
necessitate converting maximum spindle speed to tension.

Fiber length had more effect on maximum spindle speed than

either fiber tenacity or fineness. Fiber tenacity was next,

and fineness had little or no effect even over a �ide range

in fineness.

A new tension meter could be designed based on infor­

mation obtained with the mechanical and strain gage devices.

The meter could be made portable and would not be fastened

per.manently to the spinning frame. It could be aligned by

special guide bars and held against the frame by permanent

magnets. A device of th is type would find wide use in help­

ing solve many mill engineering problems.

The accelerated end-breakage rate test has been used

in numerous experiments. An extensive study of the effects

of bacterial damage on fiber quality was made by the United

States Department of Agriculture Spinning Laboratory at

Knoxville, and the accelerated end-breakage rate test was .

one of the tools used ( 1 3) . The University of Tennessee

physics shop has built prototype devices for installation

on spinning frames to stress the yarn to the breaking point

without varying the spindle speed. These devices have been

only partially successful.

In the near future both a portable tension meter and

 43
a practical way for performing the accelerated end-breakage

rate test should be perfected.

LITERATURE C ITED
 LI TERATURE C ITED

1. DeBarr, A . E . � Journal of the Textile I ns titute, 49 ,

T58-T88 ( 195 � ) .

2. Woo , K. C . , Textile Research Jo urnal , 612 ( 1958 ) .

3. Burley , S. T . , and Eddins , F . , AMS Series 229 , ( 1958 ) .

4. Fiori, A. , Louis , G . L. , and Tallant , J . D. , Textile

Bulletin , 88 , 86 ( 196 2 ) .

5. Burley , S . T . , and Milliken , R. A . , Textile Bullet in ,

88 , 63 ( 196 2 ) .

6. Louis , Gain L. , Textile I ndus tries , 1 25 , 76-80 ( 1961 ) .

Louis , Gain L . , and Fio ri, L .A . , Textile Bulletin ,

88 , 31 ( 196 2 ) .

8. Linton , G . , The Modern Textile Dic tionary , Duell , Sloan ,

and Pearce, Little , Brown, and Company , New Yo rk ; 1954 .

9. DeBarr, Journal of the Textile I nstitute, 50 , T 284-T293

( 1959 ) .

10 . Landstreet , C.B . , Ewald , P . R. , Hertel , K . L . , and

C raven , C . J . , Textile World , 104, 106 -107 ( 1954 ) .

11 . Unpublished Report , U . S . D . A . Spinning Laboratory ,

Knoxville , Tenne ssee, ( 1959 ) .

12 . Peirce , F . T. , Journal of the Textile Institute , 18 ,

T47 5- T489 ( 1927) .

13. Unpublished Reports , U . S . D . A . Spinning Laboratory ,

Knoxv ille , Tennes see ( 1957 -1960 ) .