A highly sustainable pineapple/organic cotton blended yarn as an alternative to conventional cotton textiles

The demand for sustainable materials is increasing in the textile industry. This study examines the mechanical and comfort properties of blended yarns and fabrics composed of organic cotton and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) in various blend ratios. Blends were prepared with organic cotton/PALF ratios of 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30, with yarn counts of 10 and 16 Ne, and twist multipliers of 4.3 and 4.8. Key parameters, including tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, stiffness, abrasion resistance, air permeability, and moisture management of the fabric, were assessed to determine the feasibility of these blends for textile applications. The results revealed that higher PALF content enhanced the tensile strength of the yarn, with the highest breaking force observed at 856.80 cN for the 70/30 blend with a 4.8 twist multiplier. Additionally, fabrics with a higher percentage of PALF exhibited higher air permeability and moisture management, achieving maximum moisture management of 0.75, making them suitable for applications where breathability and moisture control are required. However, higher PALF content also led to reduced abrasion resistance, with cycles ranging between 16,000 and 18,000, slightly lower than those of higher organic cotton content blends. These findings highlighted the potential of organic cotton/PALF blended fabric, especially in a 70/30 ratio, as a viable, sustainable alternative to conventional cotton textiles in applications with enhanced comfort and mechanical performance.