Oiling

Objective

1. Reduce static, fibre breakage and friction against the condenser rubber
2. Lubricate the fibres for drawing and twisting
3. Increase fibre cohesion
4. Control the rate of build-up of trash on the card.

The essential requirements of a wool lubricant are as follows:

1. Must have good lubrication and anti-static characteristics in carding
and spinning within the temperature ranges experienced
2. Should not discolour the wool
3. Should not impair the strength of the fibre
4. Must not cause rusting or corrosion of the clothing (surfaces) with
which it comes into contact
5. Should not reduce the life-span of the leather aprons or condenser
tapes
6. Should form a stable and uniform emulsion with soft or moderately
hard water
7. Must remain stable in storage under various conditions of temperature
8. Must be easily removed by scouring
9. Should not cause or support spontaneous combustion
10. Should not have or create an objectionable odour.
A further requirement today is that the lubricants should be environmentally
friendly (e.g. bio-degradeable).

It is critically important that the wool is optimally lubricated prior to

carding in order to minimize fibre breakage, fly waste and static electricity,
provide additional fibre cohesion and facilitate drafting, condensing and
spinning. Between about 5 and 10% of oil is usually applied, either as
straight oil or preferably a 50/50 oil/water emulsion, the card generally being
key in the even distribution of the lubricants/additives.

Oiling in a rotating tank

 The fibrous material is deposited on a circular plate which rotates
slowly, so that all the fibres are passed under the spraying device, made up
of a series of nozzles. Safety systems cut off the supply of emulsion in the
absence of fibres, while the speed of rotation can be adjusted according to
the amount of fibre being processed.
A central cone prevents the impregnated fibres from becoming mixed
up with still-to-be-treated ones while a control sensor, an oscillating rod
whose end registers the volume of material present, regulates the quantity
of fibre undergoing oiling, stopping the machine if too much material is
present. A fan picks up pneumatically the impregnated fibres, to be
conveyed to the next stage.

The oil can be a blend of derivatives of natural fatty acids and

polyoxyethylenates (anionic and compatible with anionic and non-ionic
products) which, besides featuring a high fibre/fibre and fibre/metal
lubricating power, can be easily eliminated with cold water.
The oil can be used alone or combined with other liquid featuring anti-static
characteristics; in this case, the emulsion could be the following:
20 ÷ 25 % oil,
10 ÷ 15 % anti-static product,
70 ÷ 60 % water
to be sprayed on the wool (2 ÷ 3 % of the weight of the material to be oiled).