Torque-Balanced Singles Knitting Yarns Spun by Unconventional Systems: Part I: Cotton Rotor Spun Yarn

This paper is the first part of a series reporting on the recent development of a yarn modification process to produce torque-balanced singles spun yarns. Taking advantage of the core-sheath structure of unconventionally spun yarns, we have developed a yarn modification process and applied it to singles yarns spun by rotor spinning, producing torque-free singles yarns from 100% cotton fibers. The spirality of the resultant single jersey knit fabrics is greatly reduced or, in some cases, completely eliminated. Properties and performance characteristics of both parent and modified yarns, as well as their resultant fabrics, are evaluated, including yarn tensile properties, surface properties, handle, air permeability, burst strength, and pilling resistance of the fabrics.