combing

combing, process that follows carding in the preparation of fibers for spinning, lays the fibers parallel, and removes noils (short fibers). The modern combing machine is a specialized carding machine. Combing produces a fine sliver suitable for drawing out and spinning into strong, smooth yarn. The process, used for long staple cottons and worsted yarn, is expensive, since up to 25% of the card sliver is eliminated. Hackling is a form of combing, often by hand, used for linen.

Combing is a method for preparing fiber for spinning by use of combs. The combs used have long metal teeth, and hardly resemble the comb used on hair. They are used in a similar fashion though, with one comb holding the fiber while the other is moved through, slowly transferring the fiber to the moving comb.

Combing the fibers removes the short fibers and arranges the fiber in a flat bundle, with all the fibers going the same direction. This preparation is commonly used to spin a worsted yarn. Woolen yarns cannot be spun from fiber prepared with combs, instead the fiber must be carded. In general, combing is done with fibers that are longer, and carding with fibers of a shorter length.

See also

• Carding