What is Yarn and Types of Yarn?
Yarn is the fundamental unit of fabric. It contains so many characteristics or properties (variables) which can affect on finished quality of the knit fabric. The quality of hosiery yarn has to be considered with due weightage to the fluidity of knitted structures and their influence on the quality of knitted fabrics. According to processing, there are mainly three types of yarn which are explained in this article.
Combed and carded yarns of the same count have so many different characteristics due to various manufacturing processes. Carded yarn is of inferior quality and combed yarn is of superior quality.
In another word, a yarn is an assembly of different fibers or the same fibers which are laid or twisted together for producing a continuous strand.
It should be noted here that, yarn can be produced by using filament fibers or staple fibers. Filament fibers have needed a little or no twist to hold them together into yarn. On the other hand, staple fibers are twisted to form into yarn.
Classification or Types of Yarn in Textile:
There are mainly three types of yarn according to processing in the spinning industry. Those are in the following:
- Carded yarn,
- Combed yarn,
- Semi-combed yarn.
All the above types of yarn have explained the below:
1. Carded Yarn:
Carded yarn is the worst quality type of yarn. Normally, this type of yarn contains more neps and more short fiber. No comber has needed during cared yarn manufacturing in the textile spinning sector.
2. Combed Yarn:
Combed yarn is one of the superior qualities of yarn. This type of yarn does not contain any short fiber and neps. During manufacturing combed yarn, the combing process plays an important role. Without the combing process, the manufacturing of combed yarn is not possible.
3. Semi-combed yarn:
Semi-combed yarn is a medium quality of the yarn that is produced by mixing some combed slivers. One example is enough to understand about the semi-combed yarn and that is- if there are 8 slivers 4 carded and 4 combed slivers are mixed at post comb draw frame then it’s called 50% combed sliver.
In the textile industry, various types of yarn are used, each serving different purposes based on their properties, composition, and manufacturing techniques. Here’s a breakdown of the major types of yarn used in textiles:
1. Based on Fiber Composition:
Natural Fiber Yarns:
- Cotton Yarn: Made from cotton fibers, it’s soft, breathable, and widely used in clothing and home textiles like bed sheets and towels.
- Wool Yarn: Made from sheep’s wool, it’s warm and elastic, commonly used in sweaters, scarves, and other winter garments.
- Silk Yarn: Produced from silkworms, it’s known for its smooth texture and luxurious feel. Silk yarn is often used in high-end fashion and accessories.
- Linen Yarn: Made from flax fibers, linen yarn is strong, durable, and has a natural luster. It’s commonly used in summer clothing and home textiles like tablecloths and napkins.
Synthetic Fiber Yarns:
- Polyester Yarn: A widely used synthetic fiber, polyester yarn is strong, durable, and resistant to shrinking and stretching. It’s used in a wide range of textiles, including apparel, home textiles, and industrial applications.
- Nylon Yarn: Known for its strength and elasticity, nylon yarn is often used in hosiery, swimwear, and sportswear.
- Acrylic Yarn: A synthetic alternative to wool, acrylic yarn is lightweight, soft, and warm, making it popular for knitwear and blankets.
- Spandex (Elastane) Yarn: Known for its exceptional elasticity, spandex yarn is used in garments that require stretch, such as activewear and swimwear.
Blended Yarns:
- Polyester-Cotton Blend: Combines the durability and strength of polyester with the softness and breathability of cotton. It’s widely used in clothing and home textiles.
- Wool-Acrylic Blend: This blend combines the warmth of wool with the lightweight and cost-effective nature of acrylic, commonly used in knitwear.
- Cotton-Spandex Blend: A blend that provides the comfort of cotton with the stretch of spandex, often used in stretchy garments like jeans and leggings.
2. Based on Yarn Structure:
- Single Yarn: Made by twisting fibers together in a single strand. It’s the most basic form of yarn used in a variety of textiles.
- Ply Yarn: Made by twisting two or more single yarns together. Ply yarns are stronger and more durable than single yarns and are often used in applications where strength is required.
- Core-Spun Yarn: Made by wrapping fibers around a core, typically a filament yarn. This structure is used to combine the properties of different fibers, like adding strength or elasticity.
3. Based on Yarn Twist:
- Z-Twist Yarn: Yarn twisted in a right-hand direction (clockwise). It’s the most common twist direction and is used in various applications.
- S-Twist Yarn: Yarn twisted in a left-hand direction (counterclockwise). It’s used less frequently but can provide different texture and strength characteristics.
4. Based on Yarn Thickness:
- Fine Yarn: Thin yarns used for lightweight fabrics such as fine garments, lingerie, and delicate textiles.
- Medium Yarn: Standard thickness yarn used for general apparel and household textiles.
- Thick Yarn: Thick yarns are used for heavy fabrics such as winter garments, upholstery, and rugs.
5. Based on Purpose and Functionality:
- Textured Yarn: Created by adding texture to synthetic yarns through various methods, such as crimping. These yarns have enhanced elasticity and bulk and are often used in stretch fabrics.
- Fancy Yarn: Also known as novelty yarn, it includes yarns with special effects like loops, slubs, or metallic threads. Fancy yarns are used for decorative fabrics and fashion items.
- High-Tenacity Yarn: Specifically engineered for strength and durability, used in industrial applications like ropes, seat belts, and tire cords.
- Elastic Yarn: Contains fibers like spandex, providing stretch and recovery. It’s used in stretch fabrics like sportswear and undergarments.
6. Based on Dyeing:
- Undyed (Greige) Yarn: Yarn that hasn’t been dyed, often used in its natural color or sent for further processing.
- Dyed Yarn: Yarn that has been dyed before being woven or knitted into fabric, used in creating patterned or colored textiles.