19—THE STRENGTH OF FIBRE BUNDLES AND TOPS

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Abstract
Results are given of strength tests on fibre bundles and wool tops with greater-than-zero jaw-separation distances. Strength tests on large bundles of man-made fibres are highly repeatable, while with constant jaw-separation the strength of comb-sorter wool fibre bundles from a top decreases per unit area of cross-section as fibre length (and fibre diameter) decrease. For both man-made fibre and wool tops, there is a linear relationship between log breaking load in lb/g, based on the weight of the fibres cut from between the jaws after breaking, and the distance apart of the jaws. From this relationship, a measure of the intrinsic strength of the fibres and the mean fibre length of wool tops can be obtained. The relationship between top strength and mean fibre length was studied on a group of 30 Merino tops, similar in fibre diameter, but varying in mean fibre length. From a single strength test with a jaw-separation of 5·1 cm (2·0 in.), the mean fibre length of the top could be predicted with a standard error of only 0·33 cm. Such a test can be made in a minute and should be of considerable value in quality control studies. Factors affecting the breaking strength of fibre bundles and tops were investigated and the results are discussed with relation to several aspects of textile testing. The equation used for correcting single-fibre breaking loads to a constant breaking time is applicable to fibre bundles.

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