The Effect of the Short Fibers in a Cotton on its Processing Efficiency and Product Quality

Abstract

The effect of the short fiber content of a cotton on yarn and fabric properties and processing efficiency, long a speculative and controversial subject, is investigated to a limited extent in this paper by the technique of cutting sliver into and ¼- and ½-in. segments and adding the resulting short fibers to the parent cotton. The results indicate that increases in short fibers are detrimental to virtually all yarn and fabric properties and require increased roving twist for efficient drafting during spinning. A 1% increase in fibers shorter than 3/8 in. causes a strength loss in yarns of somewhat more than 1%. The quantities of cotton processed for this paper were insufficient to draw conclusions on neps, waste, or processing efficiency. The effect of short fibers on these properties will be considered in subsequent papers.

The Effect of the Short Fibers in a Cotton on Its Processing Efficiency and Product Quality

“…It is thought that the apparent deterioration in the spinning efhciency of American cotton in recent years may be put into proper perspective if these considerations are taken into account. Summary and Conclusions 1'ilot-scale spinning on standard equipment corroborated and reinforced the findings of earlier work of this series [7,8,9] ; namely, that increases in short fiber content result in ( 1 ) decreased yam strength, with decreases in excess of 1 ~~~ in tenacity for each 1~ increase in short fibers ; (2) decreased yarn elongation; ( 3 ) decreased yan1 appearance grade and evenness; (4) increased difficulty in spinning at medium yarn numbers and low twists; and The present study threw further light on the interplay of short fiber content and the twist required for maximum strength. In the cottons studied it was found that the short fiber content appeared to have no influence on the twist required for maximum skein tenacity in coarse and medium size yarns.…”

“…In the cottons studied it was found that the short fiber content appeared to have no influence on the twist required for maximum skein tenacity in coarse and medium size yarns. This conclusion has been reported before (7,8]. However, there were indications that short fiber content may affect the twist necessary for maximum strength in the finer yarn sizes, and further investigation is needed.…”

“…However, there were indications that short fiber content may affect the twist necessary for maximum strength in the finer yarn sizes, and further investigation is needed. This latter conclusion is at some variance with an earlier report [8], although because of small variations in the upper quartile lengths of the various cottons this must be taken with qualifications.…”

“…A careful examination of those data showed that no change in twist was required for maximum skein tenacity for 36j (16) yarns as the short fiber content was increased from about 37c to 20%. A possible resolution of the contradiction Lrnay lie in the observation that in the 'earlier study [8] the upper quartile length changed only about h in. while in the present study Table I shows a range in upper quartile length of about A in.…”

Short Fibers in Cotton

“…has heen published elsewhere [1], and a manuscript covering the principal fin<lings is in preparation. 3. While it is admitted that silglltl%l contradictory data on the effect of short fibers on the twist required for maximum strength of fine yarns have been found.…”