A Study of the Effect of Cotton Fiber Structure on Luster

Abstract

~I A R C I I 1963 205useful extent. Cross-linking does iiot reduce stretchability greatly, but breaking and tearing strength of the fabric are lowered. Both strength loss and improvement in the properties noted are governed by the amoynt of add-on. I n practical use, the degree of improvement would have to be balanced against the loss in strength that is tolerable. AbstractCotton and synthetic fibers were studied analytically and cxperinientally to deterniitie tlie basic cause of luster in fibrous niaterials. The aiialytic technique used provided a mathematical description of tlie interaction of light with a nearly ideal fiber, namely, glass. An instrument was constructed to measure the angle and intensity of light scattered from single fibers.The ideal glass fiber gave esperimental data which correlated with those from the analysis. By the use of polarized light it was possible to iiieasure the coherency of the scattering process, which was fouiid to lie a measure of tlie luster of the fibers.Under suitable esperiniental conditions, it was shown that surface reflection froin a fibcr is the source of the luster quality and that a small degree of surface rougliness is very effective in decreasing the Iirster. It is iiot knon-n exactly what inagiiitude of surface discontinuity is most responsible for loss of luster; however, it is quite possible that ways may be found to decrease these discontinuities atid so increase the luster of cotton to any degree desired.A number of fibers were investigated in this way.

Studies on Luster in Textiles

“…In addition to circularity, therefore, he took into consideration the number of convolutions and the ribbon width also, in developing an expression for the intensity of the reflected light. Denham and Lonsdale [ 5 ) and, more recently, Halboke and Berriman [9) have also emphasized the roughness of fiber surface which scatters the reflected light considerably. The single-fiber luster studies [9], in particular, are interesting as they seem to suggest that the internal structure of the fiber has hardly any effect on the luster behavior.…”

Retro-Reflection of Round Fibers

“…10]. Furthermore, the optical properties of a single round glass fiber and other fibers were analyzed and measured by Holkoke et al [3]. However, there has been little quantitative work in the past about fiber internal surface reflection light.…”