Quantifying Micro Fibrillar Friction Spikes in Fine Wet Spun Flax Warps
Optimizing PVA starch sizing rheology suppresses micro-fibrillar friction spikes on fine wet spun flax warps, preventing clingage and raising loom efficiency.
Dynamic Kinetic Friction
Surface Resistance
Resistive forces generated between contacting materials in relative motion determine the behavior of moving strands in textile machinery. In yarn processing, dynamic kinetic friction governs the tension experienced by the flax yarn as it moves against guides or metal rollers. High resistance at these points generates heat and destabilizes the path of the yarn, which in turn leads to uneven yarn draw.
Measurement Protocol
Laboratory testing instruments measure the sliding force required to maintain yarn movement at a constant speed across a standard metal mandrel. Under these conditions, dynamic kinetic friction values reveal how different wax coatings or yarn finishes modify the lubricity of the linen fibres. Low values of this force correspond to smoother high-speed processing on the loom, whereas high values correlate with increased shedding and yarn breakage.
This test helps spinning mills optimize the chemical composition of yarn sizes to ensure trouble-free downstream weaving.
Winding Performance
Winding machines rely on stable yarn sliding properties to build dense, uniform yarn packages. Excessive dynamic kinetic friction causes the yarn to catch, resulting in irregular winding density and yarn entanglements on the cone. When packages are wound with uniform sliding tension, subsequent unwinding occurs without sudden snags.