ABSTRACT

Varieties common to three different domestic growing areas and single harvesting season were spun into yarns on ring, open-end, and Vortex systems. Samples were selected at various stages of processing to determine any possible alterations in the general or specific non-cellulosic content, where these changes occur, the magnitude of changes, and what (if any) effect may be seen on the finished yarn quality. Variations in fiber micronaire, which were highly related to growing location, influenced initial concentrations of total alcohol surface non-fibrous and wax extractables. In processing, non-significant changes were seen in the plant sugar or surface wax content. Alcohol extractables decreased in the fiber opening and carding and yarn spinning processes. Concentrations of the fiber residual light metals potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium were reduced in the fiber primarily in the opening and carding processes. The magnitude of reduction in alcohol surface extractables and light metal was found to be highly related to fiber micronaire.