Cotton Fibers

Grown

in humid and hot area

April-May-North india
June-july-Central India
July-august-southern india

Properties of cotton
Composition
Structure

of cotton
Lenth,diameter
Color

Compostion
Made

of carbon,hydrogen,oxygen
90% cellulosic,6% moisture
Wax (makes it water proof)
The

cotton polymer is a linear, cellulose

polymer. The repeating unit in the
cotton polymer is cellobiose which
consists of two glucose units.

Compostion
Made

of carbon,hydrogen,oxygen
Its polymer system is about 65-70%
crystalline and 35-30% amorphous

Structure of cotton
Cross-Section

is Oval or Kidney shaped

Cuticle- Very-outside skin of cotton
fiber.It is composed of waxy Layer.
Primary wall- immediately underneath
the cuticle ,is about 200nm thick .it is
composed of very fine fibrils.

Structure of cotton
Lumen
Secondary

wall which forms the bulk of the

fiber .and concentration of cellulosic fibrils.
Lumen Hollow canal ,running the length of
fiber called lumen .Made of cell sap which
composed of cell waste products
when sap evaporated ,its constituents
remained behind contribute to the colour of
cotton fiber

Color
Creamy

white

Length /Diameter
Diameter- 0.00046 to 0.001
1. Short-staple cotton:
Short, coarse fibres that are 3/8 to 3/4 inches in length.
Primarily produced in India and eastern Asia.
2. Intermediate-staple cotton:
Intermediate length and coarseness.
7/8 to 1.25 inches in length.
Produced in American Upland
.3Long-staple cotton:
Highest quality.
1.31 to 1.5 inches in length
Used to make softer, stronger, smoother and more luxurious fabrics.
Produced in ,Egypt

Physical Properties
Tenacity(Strength)-

Cotton have about

70% crystalline region so posses good
strength
When wet gains strength ,because of
temporary improvement in polymer
alignment in amorphous regions
Elastic natureRelatively inelastic due to its
crystalline polymer system and for this
reason cotton textiles wrinkle and crease
readily

Physical Properties
Absorbency- Cotton fiber is very aborbant Because of OH
groups in its polymers ,these attracts water molecules
So No static buildup
Thermal Property- Cotton fibers have the ability to conduct
heat energy thus they can withstand hot ironing temperature
Lustre- very low because of kidney shape

Loose strength in sunlight

Not destroyed by cloth mouth but destroy by mildew under moist
conditions

Chemical Properties
Effect

of acids- weakened and

destroyed by strong acids
Effect of Alkali- Cotton fibers are
resistant to alkalis and are relatively
unaffected by normal laundering.
Mercerization- when 18% alkali
solution of sodium hydroxide is absored
by cotton ,strength increase and lustre
also

Chemical Properties
Effect

of bleaches- The most common

bleaches used on cotton textile materials are
sodium hypochlorite and sodium per borate.

Sodium

hypochlorite bleaches cotton textile

materials at prevailing room temperature.
However, bleaching with sodium per borate
is more effective when the laundry solution
exceeds 50C in temperature.

Physical properties
Soft

handle
Strength
Poor Elasticity
Good Drape
Good Conductor of heat-so easy to wear
in summer & winter
Good Absorbency

Processing of cotton
1.

Growing - cotton grows on bushes 34 feet height, the blossoms or flowers

appears, falls off and the boll begins
its growth, inside the boll are the
seeds from which the cotton fibers
grow. This is also called seed hair.
When ball is ripe, it splits open and the
fluffy white cotton stands out from the
boll.

 Harvesting-The

cotton is picked up
with the help of machine or by hand.
Cotton gets discolored and dirty if it is
kept on plant for longer duration.

2.Ginning- in this process seeds are removed and fibers

are pressed into bales. This process is carried out by a
machine. Seeds are used for the production of oil, soaps
and cosmetics.

Ginning
3. Bailing- cotton is compressed or pressed into bales.
These are wrapped with jute cocking and cotton is then
supplied to mills in bales.

Spinning
Spinning

is the process where fiber is

converted into yarns
Yarns are a grouping of fibers twisted
together to form a continuous strand

Flow chart of spinning process

The Blowroom
It

involes a set of machinery which

opens and cleans the raw cotton.
Basic Operations are
Opening and Mixing
cleaning
Dust removal
Blending

The Blow room

Cleaning /Dust Removal

It

is the process to remove the

impurities.It depends on raw material
Suction units which removes the dust
Dust is removed by air suction
The efficiency depends not only on the
machine but also on the size of flocks

Dust Removal
Suction

units which removes the dust

Dust is removed by air suction
The efficiency depends not only on the
machine but also on the size of flocks

Blending/Mixing
It

is the process which collects the

bunches of fibers arriving sequentially
from individual bales and mix them
thoroughly

Carding
Function
Opening
Cleaning
Input-Lap
Output-Card sliver

Draw Frame
Function
To

parallel the
fibers
Drafting
Input-Card sliver
Output-draw frame
sliver

Combing
Function
To remove short
fibers
To parallel fibers

Ring Frame
Function
Twisting
Drafting

Input-Roving
Output-yarn

Speed/roving frame
Prepare

package
for Ring frame
To impart twist
Input-D/F sliver
Output-Roving