Impact of conventional and modified ring-spun yarn structures on the generation and release of fragmented fibers (microfibers) during abrasive wear and laundering

Abstract

The abrasive wear of textiles during ordinary use and laundering results in fiber damage, which leads to the generation and release of fragmented fibers (FFs). Ring-spun yarn has a dominant share of about 70% of global spun yarn production. The effect of conventional and modified ring yarn structures (compact, SIRO and SIRO-compact) on FF release from cotton textiles during repeated abrasion and laundering was studied. All prepared cotton yarns and textiles are industrially and commercially relevant. The FFs formed during each abrasion and washing cycle were collected from textiles and quantified. The yarn tensile properties and fabric frictional characteristics were employed to explain the release of FFs. For the first time, the morphology of collected FF ends was associated with the fiber damage nature (granulated and fibrillated) induced by different types of stresses and experimental exposure conditions. The results demonstrated that modified ring yarn structures released a significantly lower FF mass as compared to conventional ring yarn structures. The tensile strength was decreased, and breaking elongation increased after repeated abrasion and washing. The fabric surface properties were also affected by abrasion and laundering. The yarn structure choices impact the amount of released FFs, which are dispersed into the environment as a pollutant or a carrier of pollutants with potential hazards to the health of the environment and living organisms.