Interrelations of Structural and Physical Properties of Untreated Cottons

Abstract

High correlation is shown to exist between crystallite orientation and tensile proper ties of bundles of cotton fibers. Statistical analyses of bundle data failed to uncover pronounced dependence of bundle tensile properties on reversal frequency. Evidence is given of the influence of heredity on reversal frequency. Data on single cotton fibers are presented to illustrate the relationships or lack of relationships of reversals and x-ray angle to strength and elongation. X-ray angle and reversal frequency are interrelated at a very low level of significance and are shown to be related to single-fiber tenacity, elongation, and decrease in strength with increase in gage length. The tensile properties from bundle and single-fiber measurements are more strongly related to x-ray orientation than to reversal frequency.

Molecular weight and organization of cellulose at different stages of cotton fiber development

“…In particular, cotton fiber strength shows a great dependency on the weight average molecular weight (MW), 5 and on cellulose microfibrils orientation in the secondary cell wall. 6 Improved tensile strength and abrasion resistance can be achieved by increasing the MW and narrowing the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of cellulose. 4 Variations in the MW and MWD appear to be varietydependent.…”