Cotton
Fibre structure & physical properties
Fibre composition:
Cellulose
Diameter: 11 to 22 μm
Very fine: < 10 μm,
Fine: < 20 μm,
Medium: 20-50 μm,
Course: > 50 μm
Length: Staple
Staple length: 10 - 65 mm
short < 26 mm,
medium 26-29 mm,
long: 30-38 mm,
extra long: 39 mm and over
Natural fibre colour: Off-white colour
Microscopic Images (Cross sectional and SEM):
M. Dochia, … Z. Roskwitalski, in Handbook of Natural Fibres: Types, Properties and Factors Affecting Breeding and Cultivation, 2012
Caption:Mature cotton has a kidney shaped cross section with a small soft centre (lumem).
Mercersiced cotton has a almost round shaped cross section.
Comment:
fibres flatten and twist (convolute/ribbon-like).
Fibre properties (Mechanical, Chemical and Thermal)
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (cN/dtex) : 2.6-4.3 dry, 2.9-5.6 wet
Chemical Properties
Hydrophobicity: Hydrophilic
Moisture regain (%): 8.5%
Thermal Properties
Flammability: Cellulosic fibres such as cotton, hemp jute etc. burns with a steady flame and smells like burning paper or leaves. The ash is greyish and easily crushed.
Sustainability considerations
High water usage.
use of chemical pesticides
GM cotton (genertically modified)
Organic cotton, but lower yeild
Fair trade
End uses
Apparel: for price, durability, good laundering and strength.
Furnishing: Sheets, curtains, towels (moisture absorption)
Industrial: Canvas, cords, reinforcing fabrics, but mainly superseded by synthetic fabrics
Videos
Materials using this fibre
Additional resources
Taylor MA, 2004. Technology of Textile Properties. Third edition. Forbes Publications, London, UK.
Zhong Z and Xiao C, 2008. Fabric composition and testing. In: Fabric Testing. Ed: Hu, J. Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, UK.
ISO/TR 11827:2012 Textiles — Composition testing — Identification of fibres.
Houck, Max M. Identification of Textile Fibers. Cambridge : Boca Raton: Woodhead Pub. in Association with The Textile Institute ; CRC, 2009. Print.
