Composition of fibres

Cotton is composed of;

• Oxygen (O)
• Carbon (C)
• Hydrogen (H)

Cotton plants are composed of round layers. These layers are made out of ninety percent cellulose, six percent moisture and four percent fats and impurities.

Origin

Cotton is one of the most used textiles in the world as well as being one of the cheapest fibres to produce. It is alot cheaper to produce than animal fibers such as wool. It is not known exactly when cotton was first started to be used as a textile fibre as there is many points throughout history which shows evidence of cotton being grown for textile uses.

Preparation

Cotton fibre grows in bolls around the seeds of a cotton plant in high temperatures and low humiditiy. The cotton fibers are grown in circular layers around the seed and are covered in a hydrophillic waxy coating in order to protect it.

The first part of the preparation of fully grown cotton is called gining, thus is where the fiber of the plant is seperated from the seeds. After being removed from the plant and seeds it is vacuum packed and is dried to raise the quality of the fibers as well as remove any remaining water from the cotton. It is then cleaned to remove any bi-products which can include plant parts and field waste, after this point it is known as raw cotton.

The raw fibers are compressed into large bales and is more commonly known as lint. The lint is then transported to textile mills all over the world where it is spun into thread and then it is finally weaved into a yarn on a loom.

Physical properties of fibres

Cotton has many physical properties which makes it stand out as a fiber. It is a soft and comfortable fiber as well as being non-allergenic as it contains no chemicals which makes it an ideal choice for baby and children clothing, as well as people with skin conditions.

It is a hydrophillic fiber so it highly absorbent and has a ten percent increase in strength when soaked in water. When put in water cotton fiber can hold twenty seven times it’s weight in water. It is in general a very strong fabric and can resist a lot of pull.

It conducts heat very well so is an idea fabric to use during any time of year as the fiber when used in clothing will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. This fabric cannot conduct any static charges.

Aesthetic properties of fibres

Cotton fibers don’t have any luster so appears matt in finish, although it lacks luster it takes to dye very well due to its high absorbancy and can be dyed in many bright colours with ease. Unfortunately due to the high absorbancy it is very difficult to remove any stains in the fabric.

Cotton is prone to creasing and shrinking in heat so although it must he ironed regularly care must be taken not to iron it at too high a heat as it is also prone to damage from heat.

References

Hans-Dietrich H. Weigmann. (2017). Cotton. Available: https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant. Last accessed 19/11/2018.

king of cotton. (2018). cotton facts. Available: https://www.kingofcotton.com/article.php/10/cotton_facts. Last accessed 19/11/2018.

cotton australia. (2018). cotton . Available: https://cottonaustralia.com.au/australian-cotton/basics. Last accessed 19/11/2018.

Stephanie K Holland (2007). All about fabrics: an intro to needlecraft,. London : Oxford . cotton.