Non-conventional scouring of cotton fibres of different species

Abstract

The effect of non-conventional scouring treatment (NST), using exclusively non-ionic surfactant, on the properties of cotton fibres of different species has been studied. It is observed that for the treated <i style="">G. arboreum, G. barbadense, G. herbeceum </i>and<i> G. hirsutum </i>the sinking time remains within the standard limits. No significant effect on uniformity ratio is observed for all the samples except for <i>G. herbeceum. </i>A decrease in 2.5% span length is recorded with all species, except with <i>G. herbeceum</i>. The species <i>G. arboreum </i>and<i> G. hirsutum </i>show an increase in micronaire values while <i>G. herbaceum </i>shows a decrease in the value. The % elongation decreases for <i>G. arboreum</i> and <i>G herbeceum.</i> SEM micrographs also suggest that the NST method can be conveniently used for different species of cotton.