Washed Cotton—Manufacture, Properties, and Processing Part II: Textile Plant Experience'

Abstract

Approximately 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg) of cotton that had been washed in lap form with 66°C water (as described in Part I) were successfully processed into 100% cotton and 50/50 cotton/polyester open-end and ring-spun yarns at normal production rates and woven into fabrics. The performance of the washed cotton was not as good as the unwashed cotton in some respects: occasional static electricity, higher card neps, weaker yarns, poorer quality yarns (particularly in the combed blend), and better in others: reduction in rotor dust and ends down in open-end spinning. These shortcom ings in processability have been ascribed to the excessive working of the fiber in preparation for washing and subsequent processing, and the need for modified fiber finishes to compensate for fiber surfaces changes that occurred during washing.