What is Combed Yarn?
Combed yarn is a single yarn like carded yarn. The simple tools used to make carded yarn may also be used to manufacture combed yarn, but the process of combing is to be performed additionally. Combed yarns are finer than carded yarns. Generally combing produced 60 counts or more than 60 count yarn. But sometimes 32 counts or 40 counts yarn also produced by the combing process. Combing process usually eliminates the neps and short fibers, which results in the reduction of overall trash in yarn and improvement in physical properties of the yarn. It improves the fiber mechanical properties, and hence higher quality yarns are produced.

As many of raw material is wasted in the form of short fibers and neps, cost rises. That is why combed yarns are relatively expensive then carded yarns. Aschematic diagram of combed yarn is shown in Figure 1. After the combing process, upper medium counts, as well as very fine counts, may be produced, which have superior properties along with smooth fiber orientation and high comfort. These combed yarns have great potential to be used for highly attractive and fashionable textiles with excellent comfort and durability on behalf of exclusive performance amalgamation.

Features and Properties of Combed Yarn:
There are several features and properties of combed yarns can be identified these are given below shortly:

1. Combed yarn is extremely soft than carded yarn.
2. Higher count yarn
3. Combed yarn is finer than carded yarn
4. This yarn is stronger than carded yarn.
5. Produced excluding short fiber
6. Combed yarns are slightly more expensive in manufacturing than conventional yarn.
7. Regular yarn
8. High-quality yarn
9. Combed yarns are perfect for producing linen fabric.
10. Uniform yarn
11. Smooth yarn
12. Good water absorbency
13. Combed yarns are produced by using fine and longest fiber.
14. Less hairy than carded yarn
15. Normally naps free
16. Costly Production
17. High price than carded yarn
18. Combed yarn is also used for producing those fabrics which are worn against the skin.
19. Higher breaking strength
20. More lustrous than carded yarn

Flow Chart of Combed Yarn Manufacturing Process

Input              →             Process               →            Output

↓

Fiber               →      Bale Management        →                Bale

↓

Bale                →           Blowroom              →                 Lap

↓

Lap                 →     Carding    →  Carded Sliver

↓

Carded Sliver       →    Pre-Comber Drawing   →     Pre-Drawing Sliver

↓
Pre-Drawing Sliver  → Sliver Lap Forming      →      Lap

↓

Lap                →              Combing        →         Comb Sliver

↓

Comb Sliver       →   Post-Comb Drawing    →   Drawn Comb Sliver

↓
Drawn Comb Sliver →  Simplex / Speed Frame →               Roving

↓

Roving             →            Ring Frame             →                 Yarn

↓

Yarn               →            Auto Coner        →      Yarn Package

↓

Delivery

Uses of Combed Yarn:
Combed yarns are used for various purposes like T-shirts, baby socks, socks for sick and elderly people, banians, sports socks, candle wick, etc. Further they might work on different types of machines at different speed ranges. Some common uses of combed yarn include:

1. Combed yarns for T-shirts: The T-shirts are outer wear materials, might be used as a casual wear, party wear or for playing certain games like golf. People also use T-shirts made by using combed yarns for morning walking. The appearance is more important where combed yarns are demanded. Normally high-speed circular knitting machines are used for producing T-shirts with combed yarns.

2. Combed yarns for socks: The socks made by using combed yarns may be used for various purposes like baby socks, executive socks, patient’s socks, old people’s socks, sports socks, etc. In all cases the count should be as per specification.

3. Combed yarns for towels: It is a normal understanding that the towel yarns need to have good absorbency. Combed yarn has good absorbency property. This is true for towels with honey comb weave or Huck-a-back weaves where there shall be one set of warp yarn and one weft. When we talk of Terry towels, there shall be two warp beams; one for base cloth and the other for piles. Nowadays terry towels are being manufactured on high-speed shuttle-less looms. Therefore, the yarn should be strong enough.

4. Combed yarns for warp: The combed yarns are normally used for shirting, sarees, dhotis, dress materials, satins, etc. The warp yarns require higher strength and lower hairiness compared to the yarns used in weft.

5. Combed yarns for weft: The combed yarns in weft are used mainly where softness is a criterion. The count normally is tolerated if is slightly coarser, but not finer. The twist becomes a very important factor. It should be as low as possible if the fabric is going for raising application.

6. Combed yarns for embroidery: Normally the combed yarns used for embroidery are doubled, singed, mercerized and dyed.

7. Combed yarns for candle wicks: Candle wicks require a very uniform yarn coarse yarn with low twist. The count variations might not give any problem, but the unevenness is not accepted. The yarn should be clean without any kitties or trash, and hence combed yarns are preferred.

Conclusion:
Combed yarn manufacturing is a time-consuming process than others because extra combing process is done in this process. So quality of combed yarn is very high and it’s only used to make high-quality fabrics or finer fabrics. Combed yarn’s enhanced properties make it a preferred choice for various textile applications, contributing to the production of high-quality fabrics. The fabric which is made from combed yarn is more comfortable to use. Combed yarn make it a preferred choice for applications where a superior level of quality, softness, and durability is essential.

References:

1. A Practical Guide to Quality Management in Spinning By B. Purushothama
2. Handbook on Cotton Spinning Industry by Purushothama
3. Process Management in Spinning by R. Senthil Kumar
4. Handbook of Fibrous Materials, Volume 1: Production and Characterization Edited by Jinlian Hu, Bipin Kumar and Jing Lu

About Author:
Fatema Tuj Zohora
Dept. of Fashion Design
KCC Women’s College (Affiliated by Khulna University)
Khulna, Bangladesh

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1. Flow Chart of Carded Yarn Manufacturing Process
2. Basic Concept of Yarn Manufacturing Process (Machine Flowchart)
3. Machines of Cotton Yarn Manufacturing: Working Principle & Technical Data

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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