Developing a Laboratory Method to Evaluate Cotton Spinnability

Interactions among fiber properties, machine parameters and processing performance of cotton have evolved with technology and in most cases have become more complex and less readily predictable. Predicting the degree of spinnability of cotton is crucial. Spinning limits of cotton refers to the finest yarn number that can be spun satisfactorily from a given cotton under constant spinning conditions. Traditionally, this is measured by monitoring the end-breakage rate while spinning increasingly finer yarns. This study evaluated a methodology that determines spinning limits which relies on yarn quality criteria at a laboratory scale. The new laboratory scale methodology enabled prompt and valid determination of spinnability limits of cotton.