What is Cotton Fibre | Properties of Cotton
Fiber
Cotton is widely used Textile Fiber in Textile Industry. Due to it’s versatile uses; people feel
comfort to use Cotton fiber to make fabric. Here is the basic things about Cotton Fiber.
Cotton Fiber:
Cotton is a natural vegetable fibre produced in the cotton plant in many countries of the world
even in Bangladesh also. Some important properties of cotton fibres are discussed very briefly
below:
Properties of Cotton Fibres:
Length of cotton fiber:
Physically the individual cotton fibres consist of a single long tubular cell. Its length is about
1200-1500 times than its breadth. Length of cotton fibre varies from 16mm to 52 mm depending
upon the type of cotton.
Indian cotton- 16-25 mm
American cotton- 20-30 mm
Sea Island- 38-52 mm
Egyptian cotton- 30-38 mm
Fineness of cotton fiber:
Longer the fibre, finer the fibre in case of cotton fibre. It is expressed in term of decitex and it
varies from 1.1 to2.3 decitex.
Indian= 2.2-2.3dtex
American= 2.1-2.2 dtex
Egyptian= 1.2-1.8 dtex
Sea Island= 1.0-1.1 dtex
Fineness may be more in case of immature fibre. So it is necessary to express maturity with
fineness.
Strength and extension of cotton fiber:
Cotton fibre is fairly among natural fibres in relation to tenacity which is 3-3.5g/dtex. Its tensile
strength is between wool and silk fibre but disadvantage is low extension at break which is 5-7%.
Elastic properties of cotton:
Recovery from deformation of cotton fibre, yarn or fabric from applied load is very low. By
applying heat it can’t be achieved. This property can be achieved by -1.Chemical treatment to
improve crease recovery, but the problem is the materials become harsher due to chemical
treatment 2. blending or mixing of cotton with elastic fibre, e.g. polyester, blend ratio depends on
the end use of the fabric. The initial modulus is fairly high=0
5 g/dtex (wool=0.25 g/dtex)
Cross-section:
Cross-section of cotton fibre is some what ribbon like. The cell wall is rather thin and the lumen
occupies about two-third of the entire breadth and shows up very prominent in polarized light.
Fibre cross-section becomes round when mercerized.
Appearance:
Cotton fibre is fairly short, fine and creamy white color. Color of the fibre depends on soil of
growth. By adding chemicals in the soil, color of the cotton fibre may be varied.
Crimp:
Cotton fibre is more or less twisted on its longitudinal axis which cab not be seen from out side
is called convolution. The twist in the fibre does not to be continuous in one direction i.e. if at
first right direction, then left direction. This property of cotton fibre helps in spinning.
