Abstract

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Ten cotton varieties indigenous to the region were evaluated for their physical characteristics under standardized conditions using established protocols. Parallel-laid, cross-laid, and random-laid fibre webs with defined weight and dimensions (specific mass) were prepared from raw (unscoured), scoured, and scoured-mercerized samples of each variety. The vertical plane capillary rise of a dye solution was measured, along with the post-contact absorption increase after a fixed time interval. The results indicated a distinct trend in fluid absorption based on fibre orientation, with random-laid webs exhibiting the highest uptake, followed by parallel-laid and then cross-laid configurations. This trend persisted for the various fibre treatments, with scoured-mercerized webs demonstrating the greatest absorption, followed by scoured and then unscoured samples. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between fibre length and absorption within each orientation, signifying increased absorption with shorter fibres. Conversely, a positive correlation was found between fibre fineness and maturity with decreased absorption, although this effect became less pronounced at maturity levels exceeding 90%.

Keywords: Scouring, Mercerization, Webs, Orientation, Absorption, Capillarity.