Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute Field Trip #2

Before cotton goes through the yarning process it must be tested. The cotton will go through many tedious tests to find out the quality, strength and color of the fiber.  Cotton is classified by two things, staple and grade. Staple is the determination of fiber length and grade is the classification of trash and color content. This machines discussed are what the cotton is tested on to find out it classification. Once the fiber has been classified it can be turned into a material, once there is a sample of this material it must go into more tests to find out the quality and usability.

 Fibers have to be tested in the High Volume Instrument machine, this takes samples of the cotton from the bale and can measure length, strength, color, and trash count. This machine is also called the Uster HVI. It can get the measurements of 700 - 800 samples in one 8 hour shift. The color of the fiber is determined by being smashed into a tray underneath a camera, after being smashed it flashes and takes a picture of the fiber. If the color is known this helps determine the price of the cotton and what it could be used for. Another machine the fibers are

tested on is the Statimat DS which will determine the strength of the fiber. To find the strength of one single fiber the Robot 2 machine can test that. Asmall machine called the Uster 3

Evenness Converter uses vibration to classify the thickness and hairiness of a fiber. To get an advanced trash reading and determine the short fiber content of cotton, the Advanced Fiber  Information System is used. All of these machines are used before fiber can be made into yarn, once that is complete they must go through the next set of tests.

            

The next process of tests is once there is a sample of the fabric made from the yarn. The Martindale Abrasion Tester determines the abrasion resistance of textile fabrics and wear ability of a fabric. Each fabric placed in the tester is rubbed and each one also has different weights on

the rubber to test abrasion options, once abrasion is complete and has been rubbed the required amount of times this machine will shut off. The next machine determines the growth or shrinkage of a fabric. It must first be measured by a computer program which scans the fabric and takes its measurements. Once this is complete it is taken to the Quickwash, this is a machine used to simulate home washing and drying. It is then taken back to the scanner to get the new measurements. Breaking force and elongation of textile fabrics is determined using a raveled or cut strip sample and placed in the clamps of the machine then force is applied until the material reaches its breaking point, this is called the grab test. This is what every cotton material must go

through, shirts, jeans, etc.

          

The thought of our everyday materials going through all of the tests described may be quite surprising. The tests are very important to the quality of our fabrics, and they help determine the use for which they are needed.