Parameters influencing latch needle wear

The knitting variables responsible for accelerated wear an latch needles include needle timing, dial height, number of feeds, machine gauge, fabric take-down tension, input tension, machine speed, and the composition and structure of the needle. However, the yarn structure and properties also affect the rate and type of wear. In particular, spun yarns containing a large amount of mineral and vegetable particles an their surface contribute to the wear of latch needles during knitting. Abrasive particles accumulating in the latch grooves cause abrasion in the hook tips, latch spoons and rivets. During trials, scanning electron microscopy was used to study the parameters influencing latch needle wear under commercial production conditions. The study covered six yarn types and five different large-diameter circular knitting machines fitted with different needle types. The results are reported in same detail.