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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #277706
Title: Comparison of nir methods for measuring cotton fiber maturity and fineness

Author
item Rodgers Iii, James
item Fortier, Chanel
item Cui, Xiaoliang

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2012
Publication Date: 4/16/2012
Citation: Rodgers III, J.E., Fortier, C.A., Cui, X. 2012. Comparison of nir methods for measuring cotton fiber maturity and fineness. Proceedings of the 2012 National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference,January 3-6,2012,Orlando,Florida. p.1286-1289.

Interpretive Summary: Maturity and fineness are important cotton fiber properties, as they can impact the fiber’s downstream processability and dye performance. Maturity is often referred to as the degree of development of the fiber’s secondary wall, and fineness is the fiber’s linear density (or diameter, cross-section area, perimeter). Maturity and fineness can be measured directly, but most available methods are slow and/or require expensive laboratory-only equipment. Much interest has been shown in new direct measurements of fiber maturity and fineness that could be applicable for both laboratory and at-line/field use. A program was implemented to determine the feasibility of using NIR systems to monitor fiber maturity and fineness in the laboratory. Well-defined cotton sample sets were measured on multiple bench-top and portable NIR systems in a conditioned laboratory, and their results compared. Very good spectral agreement was observed between the NIR units. NIR measurements took less than 3 minutes per sample, and no sample preparation was required. The accurate measurement of fiber maturity by NIR analyzers was demonstrated, indicating a very promising potential for cotton field analyses of maturity by portable units. Acceptable fiber fineness results were observed for the bench-top NIR unit only, and additional samples will be required for improved portable NIR unit measurements.

Technical Abstract: Maturity and fineness are important cotton fiber properties, as they can impact the fiber’s downstream processability and dye performance. Maturity and fineness are often indicated indirectly by the fiber’s micronaire. Maturity and fineness can be measured directly, but most available methods are slow and/or require expensive laboratory-only equipment. Much interest has been shown in new direct measurements of fiber maturity and fineness that could be applicable for both laboratory and at-line/field use. A program was implemented to determine the feasibility of using NIR systems (analyzers and measurement methods) to monitor fiber maturity and fineness in the laboratory. Well-defined cotton sample sets were measured on multiple bench-top and portable NIR systems in a conditioned laboratory, and their results compared. NIR instrumental, sampling, and operational procedures and protocols were established. Very good spectral agreement was observed between the NIR units. NIR measurements took less than 3 minutes per sample, and no sample preparation was required. The accurate measurement of fiber maturity by both bench-top and portable NIR analyzers/systems was demonstrated, indicating a very promising potential for cotton field analyses of maturity by portable units. Acceptable fiber fineness results were observed for the bench-top unit only, and additional samples will be required for improved portable NIR unit measurements.