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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 #174661
Title: DETERMINATION OF FIBER AND PRODUCT QUALITY THROUGH SMALL SCALE PROCESSING TRIALS: FIBER TO YARN

Author
item Delhom, Chris
item Cui, Xiaoliang
item Campbell, Jacqueline
item Thibodeaux, Devron

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2004
Publication Date: 6/1/2005
Citation: Delhom, C.D., Cui, X., Campbell, J.H., Thibodeaux, D.P. Determination of fiber and product quality through small scale processing trials: fiber to yarn. CD-ROM. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. 2005.

Interpretive Summary: The cotton program at the Southern Regional Research Center has recently undergone reorganization. One outcome of the reorganization was the formation of the Fiber Quality Evaluation Laboratory (FQEL). The FQEL has implemented a standard protocol for the small scale processing and testing of cotton fiber samples through the SRRC textile mill and Materials Testing Laboratory. The standard protocol for testing of fiber, yarn, and fabric is explained; as is the standard protocol for small scale, 10-30 lb samples, processing from fiber through finished fabric. The FQEL has tested in excess of 200 lots in its first year. Select preliminary results are shown and discussed with a focus on the change in fiber length distributions through processing. The difference in fiber length distribution between hand-picked and spindle-picked cotton is also highlighted.

Technical Abstract: Much attention has been focused on measuring the physical properties of raw cotton fiber. There properties have been used for decades to predict the performance of the fiber in processing and of the resultant materials. The Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC) has recently begun a new research agenda to measure and predict the processing and performance characteristics of cotton fibers and resultant materials. As part of this agenda, fibers have been collected and analyzed throughout the processing line, from raw fiber to ring and rotor spun yarns. Various quantities, usually 15-30lbs, have been processed in the SRRC pilot plant textile mill. Testing has been performed to characterize the fiber at different stages of processing. The change in properties throughout processing lends a greater understanding of how different properties interact in processing as well as helps explain unexpected outcomes. In the last year, the SRRC textile mill has processed over 200 lots. Selected results are shown and analysis performed.