Best 10 Differences Between Mixing vs Blending of Cotton Fiber

February 12, 2023 by Kazi Md. Rashedul Islam

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If this article I tried my best to present differences between mixing vs blending. Feel free to ask me any textile relate question by comment box.

References:

What is Mixing?

Mixing: when the same kind but different grades of fibers are combined together, then it is called mixing. In other words, the Mixturing of some fibers from different grades or from the same origin are taken together for a product is called mixing.
Example: Low-graded cotton + high-graded cotton= Mixing.

What is Blending?

Blending: when different types of fibers, which may be equal or nearly equal graded, are mixed within a particular ratio, the mixture is called blending. In other words, Different fibers from the same or different grades and different origins are taken together for a product is called blending.
Example: 40% polyester+ 60% cotton= blending.

Products with blends, mixtures, and combinations may have properties that differ from those obtained with a single fiber. Blending may add value and may reduce the cost of the product. For example, cotton is often mixed with other fibers, particularly synthetics. This blending can make cotton-like fabrics with improved functionality, such as wrinkle resistance and dimensional stability. The addition of spandex to cotton improves the stretch of the product.

Importance of mixing and blending:

To give the required characteristics to the end product.
To compensate for variations in the features of the raw materials.
To hold down raw materials cost.
To achieve the effect by varying color, fiber characteristics, etc.
To achieve uniform quality.
To use waste cotton in mixing.
To meet function and end-user requirements.

Mixing and blending influences the reduction of the final product through blend composition, availability of fiber quality and inherent fiber properly variations. Blending influences the process performance of carding through control of neps level variation, waste level variation, fly, roving twist variation, machine adjustment, static electricity formation. It also influences the processing performances of spinning through control of yarn twist variation, end breakage, machine adjustments etc. Mixing and blending also influences in weaving, dyeing and finishing. some functional properties are influenced by mixing and blending. It increases comfort and the properties like handling, abrasion resistance, stretch etc.Following factors to be considered in-case of mixing and blending. They are:

Fiber length.
Color.
Fineness.
Tuff.
Flexibility

Difference between mixing and blending:

Mixing	Blending
1. When same kind but different graded of fibers are mixed together than it is called mixing.	1. When different types of fibers it may be equal or nearly equal graded are mixed together are within a particular ratio then the mixture is called blending.
2. Mixing is done in the blow room.	2. Blending is done in the draw frame.
3. Physical properties of mixing all fibers are same.	3. Physical properties of blending all fibers are not same.
4. Mixing is carried out for profiling of quality and cost of yarn.	4. Blending is carried out for profiling of quality properties of garments.
5. Importance of component to the resultant yarn is at lower level.	5. Importance of component to the resultant yarn is a higher level.
6. Mixing operation is easy	6. Blending operation is difficult.
7. Same kind but different graded of fibers are mixed together.	7. Different types of fibers and equal or nearly equal graded fibers are mixed together.
8. There is no particular ration of fibers to mix with each other.	8. There is a particular ratio of fibers to mix with each other.
9. It is a costly process.	9. It is a cheap process.
10. 60% grade-1 cotton+ 40% grade-2 cotton= mixing.	10. 60% cotton + 40% polyester= blending.

If this article I tried my best to present differences between mixing vs blending. Feel free to ask me any textile relate question by comment box.

References:

Chowdhury, M. F. (2016). Manual of Short Staple Spinning . Dhaka: Granthanir Prokashoni.
Hossain, M. S. (2014). Introduction to Textile Engineering. Dhaka: Books Fair Publications.
Kadolph, S. J. (2009). Textiles. New Delhi: Dorling Kindersley.
Siddique, D. H. (n.d.). Natural Fibers. Dhaka.