The Use of Airflow Measurements to Get Separate Estimates of Cotton Fiber Fineness and Maturity

Abstract

An expression for the specific surface S0 of cotton has been derived in terms of gravimetric fineness H and a fundamental measure of maturity, namely, the degree of cell wall thickening θ. S02 has been shown to be a linear function of not only 1/θ H but also of 1/θ H2. This combined dependence, together with the fact that the apparent specific surface determined from airflow measurements depends upon the plug porosity, makes it possible to get reliable estimates of θ and H from measurements of airflow at two porosities. Analysis of data on a number of cottons has established that a single regression equation cannot cover all commercial cottons, but separate equations, depending on the flow rate, have to be used.