Seven sources of cotton with a wide range of fiber properties were saw ginned and processed through tandem saw lint cleaners or through an aggressive carding type cleaner. Lint cleaner induced changes were compared to initial fiber properties from roller ginned samples to determine if a relationship existed between fiber properties and fiber damage caused by lint cleaning.

Lint cleaners decreased fiber length, increased short fiber content, maturity level and nep level. Strength, elongation and micronaire were unaffected. Analysis of complete fiber length distributions showed a shift toward the short fiber end occurring at 0.75 inches. Fiber damage was assessed as the increase in fiber content below 0.75 inches after lint cleaning. An increase in neps was also considered to be fiber damage.

Fiber length damage from roller ginned to saw ginned samples is correlated with initial fiber strength and strength X elongation. Change due to lint cleaning is more closely related to fiber fineness. Strength X fineness, or an estimate of individual fiber strength shows the best relationship to fiber length damage. As individual fiber strength increases, less length damage is incurred during lint cleaning.

Initial nep level and final nep level are related to the fineness, upper quartile length and non-lint content of the fiber sample. Change in nep level caused by lint cleaning has no significant relationship to initial fiber properties. Mechanical manipulation of fibers, regardless of initial fiber quality, is conducive to nep formation.