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Evaluation of Short Fiber Measurement Methods

James L. Knowlton

ABSTRACT

Given the cotton industry’s need for a meaningful short fiber measurement, the USDA, AMS, Cotton Program in Memphis, Tennessee and the USDA, ARS, Cotton Quality Research Station (CQRS) in Clemson, South Carolina have assembled a study to evaluate available short fiber measurements relative to each other and relative to textile processing performance. Twenty-nine U.S. grown Upland cotton bales have been selected to represent a wide range of length and short fiber contents. These bales have been tested in USDA, AMS cotton calibration value setting testing procedures to obtain HVI measurement levels referenced to established USDA benchmark reference cottons. Study participants from various cotton fiber testing labs within and outside the U.S. have been asked to test samples from the study bales on instruments including HVI, AFIS, Schaffner Isotester Li, Lintronics FiberLab and the Suter-Webb Duplex Cotton Fiber Sorter (array method). The 29 bales will be processed in a textile spinning plant to determine bale utility value. Initial results, from data being submitted by participants, are showing good correlations between methods. However, different test levels exist between instruments. Processing of the cottons is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2004. The intent of this report is to explain the study plan and to provide a preliminary look at some of the early data collected so far.





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Document last modified 04/27/04