Fiber producers apply a lubricant and antistatic blend, typically well under 1 percent of fiber weight, so fibers can be opened and carded without static, wraps or fly. For hygiene fabrics the finish also decides whether a fiber is hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and some finishes are built to survive repeated wetting. Wrong or uneven finish shows up as card loading, static, weak bonds or a topsheet that will not wet out.
Card is wrapping like crazy this shift, check the spin finish level on the new lot before we blame humidity.
A new fiber lot that suddenly cards badly is a finish problem until proven otherwise.
Also heard as
- finish
- fiber finish
- lube
Related terms
Staple fiber
Fibers cut to a fixed, finite length, as opposed to continuous filament, used in carded, airlaid and wetlaid webs.
Wrap
Fibers or web winding around a roll instead of passing through, which can stop a line or damage the roll.
Wet-out
Line and lab talk for how readily a fabric lets liquid soak in and spread instead of beading on top.
Loading
Buildup of fiber and finish residue in card clothing, which clogs the teeth and spoils the web.