Different Properties and Uses of Cotton Fibre:
Effect of Heat:
Cotton has an excellent resistance to degradation by heat. It begins to turn yellow after several hours at 120 degree Celsius and decomposes markedly at 150 degree Celsius. As a result of oxidation, cotton is severely damaged after a few minutes at 240 degree Celsius. Cotton burns readily in air.
Effect of Age:
Cotton shows only a small loss of strength when stored carefully. It can be kept in the warehouse for long periods without showing any significant deterioration. After fifty years of storage, cotton may differ only slightly from fiber a year or two old. Ancient samples of cotton fabric taken from tombs more than 500 years old had four-fifths of the strength of new material.
Effect of Sunlight:
There is a gradual loss of strength when cotton is exposed to sunlight and the fiber turns yellow. The degradation of cotton by oxidization when heated is promoted and encouraged by sunlight. It is particularly severe at high temperatures and in the presence of moisture. Much of the damage is caused by ultra violet light and by the shorter waves of visible light. Under certain conditions, the effects of weathering in direct sunlight can be serious. The cotton can be protected to some degree by using suitable dyes.
Other Properties of Cotton Fiber:
1. Softness:
- Comfortable Texture: Cotton fibers are soft to the touch, which makes them comfortable to wear next to the skin. This is one of the reasons cotton is a preferred material for clothing and bedding.
2. Breathability:
- Air Permeability: Cotton is highly breathable, allowing air to circulate through the fabric. This property makes cotton ideal for warm-weather clothing, as it helps to keep the wearer cool.
3. Moisture Absorption:
- Hygroscopic: Cotton is an excellent absorbent, capable of holding up to 27 times its weight in water. This property makes it suitable for towels, bathrobes, and other absorbent textiles.
4. Durability:
- Strong and Resilient: Cotton fibers are relatively strong, and fabrics made from cotton can withstand repeated washing and wear. However, cotton is less durable than some synthetic fibers and may wear out faster with heavy use.
5. Hypoallergenic:
- Skin-Friendly: Cotton is hypoallergenic, which means it is less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. This makes it a popular choice for baby clothes, bedding, and medical textiles.
6. Biodegradability:
- Eco-Friendly: Cotton is a biodegradable fiber, which means it can decompose naturally over time, reducing its environmental impact compared to synthetic fibers.
7. Dyeability:
- Color Retention: Cotton fibers readily absorb dyes, allowing for vibrant and long-lasting colors in fabrics. This makes cotton ideal for a wide range of colored textiles.
8. Thermal Properties:
- Moderate Insulation: While cotton is not as insulating as wool, it provides moderate thermal comfort. Cotton clothing can keep the wearer cool in hot weather and warm in mild conditions.
Uses of Cotton Fiber:
In cotton, nature has given us an all-round utility fiber that is second to none. Cotton fabrics combine remarkably durability with attractive wearing qualities. Cotton fabrics have a pleasant feel or handle. They are cool in hot weather.
Cotton is inherently strong and it is stronger when wet than it is when dry. This property, allied with cottons stability in water and alkaline solutions, endows cotton garments with a long useful life. Cotton can withstand repeated washings and is therefore ideal for household goods and garments that can be laundered time and time again. Heavily soiled garments can be rubbed vigorously without being damaged.
The cotton fiber itself is dimensionally stable. A made up cotton garment may shrink to some extent due to the tensions introduced by spinning and weaving but the fiber itself does not contribute significantly to any shrinkage.
This so-called “relaxation shrinkage”, caused by the easing of strains set up during spinning and weaving, can be overcome by a treatment called compression shrinkage. Rigmel and Sanforized shrunk cotton fabrics are compression shrunk in this way; they are dimensionally stable and will neither stretch nor shrink more than 1 per cent in either direction.
Other Uses of Cotton Fiber:
1. Apparel:
- Clothing: Cotton is widely used for a variety of garments, including t-shirts, jeans, dresses, and underwear. Its softness, breathability, and absorbency make it ideal for everyday wear.
- Sportswear: Cotton is often blended with synthetic fibers to create fabrics that combine comfort with performance, making it suitable for activewear.
2. Home Textiles:
- Bedding: Cotton is a popular choice for bed linens, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, due to its softness and breathability.
- Towels and Bathrobes: Cotton’s absorbent properties make it ideal for towels, washcloths, and bathrobes.
- Curtains and Upholstery: Cotton fabrics are also used in home decor for curtains, upholstery, and cushion covers.
3. Medical Textiles:
- Bandages and Dressings: Cotton’s hypoallergenic and absorbent properties make it suitable for medical applications, including bandages, dressings, and surgical gowns.
- Baby Products: Cotton is commonly used for baby clothing, blankets, and diapers because it is gentle on sensitive skin.
4. Industrial Applications:
- Canvas and Tarpaulins: Cotton is used to produce heavy-duty fabrics like canvas, which is used in tents, sails, and tarpaulins.
- Filters and Wipes: Cotton’s absorbency and durability make it suitable for industrial filters and cleaning wipes.
5. Blended Fabrics:
- Cotton Blends: Cotton is often blended with other fibers, such as polyester, to enhance the properties of the fabric, such as strength, wrinkle resistance, and moisture-wicking ability.