Cotton

Type: Natural fibre | Classification: Vegetable fibres | Sub-classification: From seed



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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
Image source:

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.

(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom
(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom
(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom
(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom

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Industrial: Canvas, cords, reinforcing fabrics, but mainly superseded by synthetic fabrics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


Australian Cotton, from Seed to Sock [6m 12s]
How Cotton is Processed in Factories [5m 11s]
TED - Why is cotton in everything? [4m 53s]

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.