Effects of Cotton Fiber Fineness on the Physical Properties of Single Yarns

Abstract

The effects of the single fiber property fiber fineness on the physical properties of single yarns, both coarse and fine and of varying twist, were investigated. To permit the study of fiber fine ness while maintaining other important properties approximately constant, a special technique was used which controlled the length factor by reducing all the cottons to common quartile and mean lengths. The cottons selected—Seaberry Sea Island, Mesa Acala, Tanguis, and Rowden 41—B—represented extremes in fineness, ranging from 2.9 to 5.6 μg. per in., and had other impor tant fiber properties approximately equal. The study showed mainly that a relationship exists between fiber fineness and the turns per inch required in a single yarn to obtain optimum yarn- strength benefits. Low-twist yarns decreased less rapidly in strength from maximum strength when made from fine than when made from coarse fibers. In contrast, high-twist yarns de creased more rapidly in strength when made from fine rather than when made from coarse fibers. Yarns made from coarse fibers required more twist to attain maximum yarn strength than those made from fine fibers. The study also revealed that fiber fineness does not materially affect yarn elongation. In addition, it was found that fiber fineness is a critical factor of roving twist.