9 Natural Fiber Welding
219
Fig. 9.5 Schematic of a prototype closed-loop indigo dye range built by NFW
adjustments of IL-based solvents and improve process control. All of these advantages are accomplished while polymers are controllably swelled by control of other
relevant process conditions. This has the effect of simultaneously creating morphological effects within yarns that improve their evenness, strength, and abrasion
resistance.
Figure 9.5 details a prototype machine that transforms conventional yarns into
welded composites. Cotton yarn substrates (far right) feed into an apparatus that
applies a controlled amount of IL-based solvents. The yarn substrates continue to
feed into the process zone where temperature, atmosphere, and other conditions are
precisely controlled. Yarn continues to matriculate into the reconstitution zone where
IL-based solvents are recovered and then recycled. After the washing (reconstitution)
step, the wet yarn moves through a drier and is collected and wound onto packages (at
far left). The “welded” yarn is now ready to be converted into fabrics either by knitting
or weaving. Welded yarns are typically stronger and finer than their conventional
counterparts. In particular, increases in strength are beneficial for subsequent fabric
conversion steps as well as the performance of fabrics. NFW is in the process of
building much larger scale versions of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9.5 and plans to
begin selling selected Welded Cotton
TM yarn and fabric products in 2020.
219
Fig. 9.5 Schematic of a prototype closed-loop indigo dye range built by NFW
adjustments of IL-based solvents and improve process control. All of these advantages are accomplished while polymers are controllably swelled by control of other
relevant process conditions. This has the effect of simultaneously creating morphological effects within yarns that improve their evenness, strength, and abrasion
resistance.
Figure 9.5 details a prototype machine that transforms conventional yarns into
welded composites. Cotton yarn substrates (far right) feed into an apparatus that
applies a controlled amount of IL-based solvents. The yarn substrates continue to
feed into the process zone where temperature, atmosphere, and other conditions are
precisely controlled. Yarn continues to matriculate into the reconstitution zone where
IL-based solvents are recovered and then recycled. After the washing (reconstitution)
step, the wet yarn moves through a drier and is collected and wound onto packages (at
far left). The “welded” yarn is now ready to be converted into fabrics either by knitting
or weaving. Welded yarns are typically stronger and finer than their conventional
counterparts. In particular, increases in strength are beneficial for subsequent fabric
conversion steps as well as the performance of fabrics. NFW is in the process of
building much larger scale versions of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9.5 and plans to
begin selling selected Welded Cotton
TM yarn and fabric products in 2020.