Difference between Spun Yarn and
Filament Yarn.
SPUN YARN VS. FILAMENT YARN
Yarn is the material that is used to manufacture fabrics. It is an assembly of fibers that may have been twisted
to give strength to the yarn. Many people remain confused between fibers and yarn, but a yarn is an
intermediate product that is made from fibers and is used to manufacture fabrics. Basically, all yarn is spun.
People also use the term filament yarn that confuses laymen.
There are differences between spun yarn and filament yarn that will be highlighted in this article.
FILAMENT YARN
There are basically two types of fibers that are used to make yarn; namely, filament and staple fibers. The
fibers that are so long, and that they can work themselves as yarn are called filament fibers. As they do not
require twisting to be converted into yarn, they are sometimes also referred to as filament yarn. Most of the
fibers that are labeled as filament are manmade in laboratories. Nylon and polyester are two such fibers that
are long and strong to be used as yarn for making fabrics. Thread is another term that is used for a type of
yarn. This yarn is meant for sewing, and though it is made by twisting of fibers, you feel that it is a single fiber.
This happens because wax is used to hold the staple fibers together in the case of a thread.
SPUN YARN
When two or more fibers are joined together by twisting to get a strong yarn, the process is called spinning.
Spun yarn may be made up of a single type of fiber or it may be made twisting different fibers together.
Blended yarn is a result of spinning together of different kinds of fibers such as cotton polyester or wool acrylic
yarn. Yarn could also be 2 ply or even 3 ply depending upon the number of yarns twisted together.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPUN YARN AND FILAMENT YARN?
• Yarn is made by twisting together of fibers to make a strong product for manufacture of fabrics.
• All yarn is spun yarn and the term filament yarn is really a misnomer.
• Filament yarn is a term given to long and strong fibers that are so long that they can work as yarns
themselves.
Characteristics of Spun Yarns and Filament Yarns
Yarns can be made either from short staple length fibers or from filament fibers. There are two types of yarns,
i.e., spun yarns and filamentous yarns.
TYPES OF YARNS:
1. Spun Yarns
2. Filament Yarns
If filaments are used to make yarns they may be either multifilament or monofilament.
FILAMENTOUS YARNS:
1. Monofilament
2. Multifilament -> Twisted, Flat
Mono filaments are filament yarns composed of one single filament.
Multi filaments are composed of many filaments.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SPUN Y ARNS AND F ILAMENT YARNS
 SPUN YARN
1.
2.
Yarns made from short length fibers and the fabrics are like cotton and wool.
Short fibers twisted into continuous strand, has protruding ends
 Dull, fuzzy look
 Lint
 Subject to pilling
 Soil readily
 Warm (not slippery)
 Loft and bulk depend on size and twist
 Do not snag readily
 Stretch depends on amount of twist.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Are absorbent
Size often expressed in yarn number
Various amount of twist used
Most complex manufacturing process
 FILAMENT YARN
1.
2.
3.
Yarns made from long length filament fibers and fabrics are like silk.
Long continuous, smooth, closely
Packed strand.
 Smooth, lustrous
 Don not lint
 Do not pill readily
 Shed soil
 Cool, slick
 Little loft or bulk
 Snagging depends on fabric construction
 Stretch depends on amount of twist
4.
5.
6.
7.
Absorbency depends on fiber content
Size in denier
Usually very low or very high twist
Least complicated manufacturing process
a. Balanced Yarns:
Smooth fabrics are made from balanced yarns.
b. Unbalanced Yarns:
Crepe and textured surface may be created from unbalanced yarns.