Effect of Yarn Spinning System on Pill Resistance of Polyester/Cotton Knit Fabrics

Abstract

We have determined the effect of ring, rotor, and air-jet spinning on the pill resistance of jersey and interlock fabrics. The jersey fabrics contained the same polyester type, while the interlock fabrics contained the preferred polyester for each spinning system. In each of the constructions, the air-jet spun fabrics were significantly more pill resistant than ring and rotor spun fabrics. Kinetic studies of the rates of pill formation and wear-off indicate that this difference is due to the much slower formation rate of the air-jet spun fabric. Analysis of pill character suggests that the tightly wrapped structure of the air-jet yarn inhibits the formation of free ends of polyester, which are the primary cause of the pills. Pill resistance for the ring spun fabric was only slightly better than for the rotor spun fabric when the same polyester type was used.