Speaker Notes

Written by: Gary Robinson, CSIRO Textile & Fibre Technology.

The value of a top is determined largely by fibre diameter and fibre length.

This diagram shows that the price paid for a top of a particular diameter increases as the mean fibre length (MFL) of the top increases.

The major increase in price is for tops between 60mm - 65mm in length. This length range is the predominant range requested by spinners. Price tends to plateau after about 65mm as the demand from spinners for this length top is reduced due to perceived technical complications. The demand for these wools may change in time as the results of current spinning trials using longer Hauteur wools becomes more widely known.

Therefore there is a price benefit in increasing the MFL of a top. This can be achieved by using longer raw wool, which is more expensive, or by reducing the amount of fibre breakage during early stage processing (ESP).

Carding is a major location for fibre breakage during ESP, and is an obvious place to try and achieve less fibre breakage.