Cotton Fiber Testing

Quality cotton fiber is vital to produce quality yarn and, subsequently, better-quality fabrics. As per data provided by USDA for the year 2020/21 world cotton production is expected at 117 million bales (1 bale = 220 kg). The variability in the quality of cotton is dominated due to environmental conditions and depends on the area of cultivation. To produce the best quality yarn and uniform fabrics, we need to measure and control each quality parameter of cotton fiber. Uster Switzerland is one of the leaders in testing cotton fiber characteristics through its state-of-the-art HVI and AFIS fiber testing equipment. Understanding cotton fiber characteristics and their relationships with yarn and fabric quality are essential to produce good quality textiles. In this chapter, the main quality parameters of cotton fiber, along with its basic testing principles, have been discussed. Cotton fiber quality is determined by various parameters such as maturity, fineness, micronaire (mic), length, strength, length uniformity. The market value of cotton is determined according to these parameters. Fibers with better quality will produce better yarn. Nowadays, the High Volume Instrument (HVI) and Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) are the two main instruments used to measure cotton fiber quality. HVI measures micronaire, Upper Half Mean Length (UHML), strength, elongation, color, and trash, while, AFIS measures maturity, fineness, length, neps, short fiber content, immature fibers, and trash.