National Textile University

B.Sc. Textile Engineering

Practical Lab Report / Fall-2019

Course Code: TE-3113

Course Title: Mechanics of Fibrous Structures

Practical No. 04
Title of Practical To compare the single yarn strength at two different
extension rates.
Student Name Hafiz Muhammad Talha
Registration No. 17-NTU-0055
Semester / Section / 5th / A (spinning) / G1
Group
Date of Performance October 15, 2019
Date of lab report October 22, 2019
submission
Abstract:
This practical is designed to give an understanding about the behavior of the yarn properties
like strength and elongation while testing these parameters at two different rates of extension
(5000mm/min & 500mm/min) using Uster Tensorapid machine that works on the principle
of constant rate of traverse. It was observed that the strength of the yarn was more at higher
extension rates, while the elongation was less as compared to those readings recorded at
slower extension rates.
Introduction:
There is one essential requirement for any yarn, whether staple or filament: it must be strong
enough to cope with the rigors of downstream processes, without causing production
stoppages. High-speed weaving and knitting put yarns under powerful stresses and strains,
so they need to meet the strength and elongation standards for subsequent processes and the
required end-uses. The new Uster Tensorapid delivers accurate and effective tensile testing
performance that yarn producers can rely on.
No matter what the demands of the fabric end-use, minimum strength and elongation
properties are needed to prevent a yarn breaking or being damaged in downstream
operations. The Uster Tensorapid offers testing of all kind of yarns. For over 50 years, the
Uster Tensorapid has been renowned through the industry for its high precision and
reliability. Spinners and yarn users know that twist is one of the most important parameters
in producing a yarn. The twist level in a yarn affects the look and performance of the finished
product. For 100 % cotton ring and compact yarns the Uster Tester offers the unique option
to get twist and twist variations during the yarn testing routine at a testing speed of 800
m/min. Without any further effort, performance gaps like low speed spindles are identified,
independent from the operator and saving additional test time in the laboratory.
Methods for Testing Yarn Strength:
 Single yarn Strength Testers.
 Lea Strength Tester.
Machines used for Testing Strength:
 UTM.
 Uster Tensorapid.
 Uster Tensojet.
Testing Principles:
 Based on Constant rate of Elongation.
 Based on Constant rate of Loading.
 Based on Constant rate of Traverse.

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Figure 1: Uster Tensorapid machine.
Procedure:
First, we took the yarn from the cone on creel and placed it on the left clamp of the Uster
Tensorapid. Then, we input the count of the yarn (in Tex), rate of extension, pre-tension
force etc. ten readings (of elongation%, tenacity and breaking force) were noted and their
CV%s were also recorded and printed, while testing the yarn at an extension rate of
5000mm/min. after that the same process was done for the same sample but at an elongation
rate of 500mm/min. And then the results were compared.
Tables & Calculations:
Gauge Length = 500mm.
Count = 16 Ne = 36.91 tex.
Pre-tension = 18.4 cN.
1 tex = 590.5/count in Ne
Table 1.

Rate of Extension = 5000mm/min

No. of Obs. Force to break Tenacity Elongation
(cN) (cN/Tex) (%)
1. 760.6 20.61 6.79
2. 767.9 20.81 7.06
3. 735.3 19.92 6.50
4. 758.1 20.54 6.71
5. 748.3 20.27 6.61
6. 716.9 19.42 6.46
7. 735.4 19.92 6.55
8. 712.4 19.30 6.27
9. 731.1 19.81 6.82
10 670.7 18.17 6.14
Mean 733.7 19.88 6.59
C.V% 3.91% 3.91% 4.10%

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Table 2.

Rate of Extension = 500mm/min

No. of Obs. Force to break Tenacity Elongation
(cN) (cN/Tex) (%)
1. 699.7 18.89 6.89
2. 707.0 19.16 6.88
3. 709.4 19.22 7.34
4. 720.9 19.53 7.24
5. 667.1 18.07 6.55
6. 683.8 18.53 6.81
7. 698.5 18.92 6.16
8. 673.4 18.24 6.75
9. 698.3 18.92 6.95
10 646.1 17.70 6.39
Mean 690.4 18.71 6.80
C.V% 3.28% 3.28% 5.32%

Results:
Table 3: Combined results of the practical performed.

At 5000mm/min At 500mm/min
Force to break Mean 733.7 Force to break Mean 690.4
(cN) CV% 3.91% (cN) CV% 3.28%
Tenacity Mean 19.88 Tenacity Mean 18.71
(cN/Tex) CV% 3.91% (cN/Tex) CV% 3.28%
Elongation Mean 6.59 Elongation Mean 6.80
(%) CV% 4.10% (%) CV% 5.32%

Discussions:
It is clearly evident from the table 3 that at higher extension rates the material doesn’t get
enough time to compensate the energy applied and the deformations being produced. Thus,
the results obtained were different from those under normal conditions. At an extension rate
of 500mm/min the material has sufficient time to relax and adjust regarding the applied
force and the deformations produced. Thus, the material showed better elongation% but the
strength (Tenacity) and the force to break is comparatively less than that of the same yarn
sample noted at 5000mm/min.
The operating principle of Uster Tensorapid is based on Constant Rate of Elongation. That
means one jaw (upper) will be attached to a weight (load). While the other jaw (lower) will
move with a constant velocity in the downward direction. As we know, something is as
strong as its weakest link so, the yarn will break at its weak link according to weak link
theory and that would determine all the above-mentioned yarn parameters.

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Conclusion:
From the results it is clearly visible that at high extension rates (5000mm/min) the values
of breaking strength would be higher while the breaking elongation would be lower, than
that noted at a relatively slower elongation rate (500m/min). this is because, at higher
extension rate, the material don’t get time to relax or the energy absorbed doesn’t evenly
distribute properly in the structure and thus, the yarn gives better strength and lower
elongation values.