New Method for Measuring Cotton Fiber-to-Fiber Friction

Cotton fiber friction plays a crucial role in regulating fiber flow during spinning, which is classified as fiber-to-fiber and fiber-to-metal friction. While prior research has primarily focused on fiber-to-metal friction, fiber-to-fiber friction has received less emphasis. In this paper, we propose a new method for measuring cotton fiber-to-fiber friction, which adheres to the principle of an ASTM method but includes modifications in sample preparation and testing procedures to meet industry demands. A side-by-side comparison between the two methods demonstrated that the new method is as effective as the ASTM method in differentiating cotton samples. Moreover, our proposed test specimen preparation allows for the testing of smaller sample quantities. A 10-day stability test verified the consistency of the friction test results, confirming the precision of the new method. Testing 312 cotton samples revealed no statistically significant correlation between fiber-to-fiber friction and other fiber quality parameters. This finding suggests that fiber-to-fiber friction, as measured by the new method, is a unique property of cotton fibers. Additionally, preparing card or draw slivers for such a large sample size would be impractical due to the substantial time, effort, and cost involved, further highlighting the effectiveness and practicality of the new friction testing method.