- The usefulness of classifying the Alpaca wool samples according to their color, sex and location is associated with their economic value in the market, hence adequate methods for rapid classification are needed to assess the of wool value. This study evaluated the potential of the visible and near infrared (vis-NIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis to classify Alpaca (Lama Pacos) fiber samples according to age (1 and 2-3-year-old), sex (Male and Female) and color (Black, Brown, LF and White). Samples (n=291) were scanned in reflectance mode in the wavelength range of 400-2500nm using a monochromator instrument (FOSS NIRSystems6500, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to classify fiber samples. Cross-validation was used for validation of classification models developed. Results showed that PLS-DA correctly classified 100% of fiber samples into ages, intermediate classification rates were obtained for color, while lower classification rates were obtained for the discrimination of wool samples according to sex. The results from this study suggested that vis-NIR spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis can be used as a rapid method to classify Alpaca fiber samples according to age, sex and color. more »
- Luxury fibers have great importance in the field of high added value fabric production, but the studies related to these fibers are very limited. One of these luxury proteinous fibers is alpaca wool. In this study, dyeing characteristics (dye-uptake speed, color efficiency and nuance of color, fastness properties, etc.) of alpaca fibers (Huacaya and Suri) were investigated by taking sheep wool as a reference. Furthermore, analysis such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was also carried out. According to the experimental results it was found that both dye-uptake speed and amount was in the range of sheep > Suri alpaca > Huacaya alpaca for milling acid dye. Furthermore, when their fastness properties were compared with sheep wool, it could be said that there was no difference for washing and perspiration fastness, while rubbing and light fastness of alpaca fibers were lower than sheep wool. more »
- Alpaca fibre has low crimp and smooth fibre surface. This makes the fibre difficult to process, particularly in sliver/fibre transferring and delivering processes. Blending with wool enhances the alpaca fibre processibility, makes the fibre more easily processed on modern wool processing facilities, and allows the development of new products. To evaluate the effect of wool fibre properties, especially wool crimp, on alpaca/wool blends, two alpaca fibre lots were processed to tops then blended with three commercial wool tops via top gillings. Yarns and knitted fabrics were subsequently engineered with identical machine settings. The performance of alpaca/wool blend slivers, yarns and fabrics has been investigated in this paper. more »