Standard Test Method for Automated Measurement of Maturity, Fineness, Ribbon Width, and Micronaire of Cotton Fibers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Cotton fiber that is on average finer and more mature is more desirable than coarse or immature fiber, although distinction between these qualities cannot be made quickly and accurately using current test methods. Immature fibers break more easily during processing and have a tendency to form into neps (small entanglements) during processing in the spinning mill. These consequences adversely affect yarn and fabric quality and appearance. Yarn and fabric produced from immature fiber is typically also less lustrous and does not take up dye consistently so yarn and fabric appearance may be different after dyeing.  
5.2 Maturity has a high positive correlation with fiber length and strength but genetic differences and differences in fiber wall thickness caused by plant diseases, soil, and water conditions during the growing season interfere with this relationship.  
5.2.1 Fine fibers are required for fine count yarn manufacture and fiber fineness affects yarn count, evenness and strength. Both fineness and ribbon width are strong genetic traits evident between species and affected by growing conditions within species.  
5.2.2 Micronaire has traditionally been used as a measure of fiber fineness although the value actually measures fiber specific surface area or surface area per unit weight. As a result, micronaire varies concomitantly with both maturity and fineness (see Fig. 2). Maturity and fineness are related to micronaire via Lord’s equation.4
FIG. 2 Relationship Between Micronaire (X), Fineness (H), and Maturity (M)  
5.3 Cottonscope values have been judged against fineness, maturity and ribbon width values produced by examination of thousands of individual, magnified fiber cross-sections. Relationships with equivalent values by these and other older test methods are highly significant5,6 particularly if the number of cross-sections analyzed is high (>3000) and the cross-sections are carefully prepared and measured. Cottonscope measures approximately 20,...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of linear density (gravimetric fineness hereafter stated as fineness), maturity, micronaire, and ribbon width of cotton fibers from a loose, chemically untreated sample taken before harvest, during ginning, during mill processing or unraveled from raw (undyed) yarn or fabric.  
1.2 This test method requires the use of an integrated instrument, for example, the Cottonscope (see Fig. 1), that measures the maturity, fineness, ribbon width, and micronaire of cotton fiber.2
FIG. 1 Cottonscope Instrument
Note 1: For another test method to determine the maturity of cotton fibers, refer to Test Method D1442.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
30-Jun-2021
Technical Committee
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM D8394-21 - Standard Test Method for Automated Measurement of Maturity, Fineness, Ribbon Width, and Micronaire of Cotton Fibers
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8394 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Automated Measurement of Maturity, Fineness, Ribbon
1
Width, and Micronaire of Cotton Fibers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8394; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1441Practice for Sampling Cotton Fibers for Testing
D1442Test Method for Maturity of Cotton Fibers (Sodium
1.1 This test method covers the determination of linear
Hydroxide Swelling and Polarized Light Procedures)
density (gravimetric fineness hereafter stated as fineness),
D1776Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
maturity, micronaire, and ribbon width of cotton fibers from a
D7139Terminology for Cotton Fibers
loose, chemically untreated sample taken before harvest, dur-
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
ing ginning, during mill processing or unraveled from raw
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
(undyed) yarn or fabric.
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.2 This test method requires the use of an integrated
ASTM Test Methods
instrument, for example, the Cottonscope (see Fig. 1), that
measures the maturity, fineness, ribbon width, and micronaire
3. Terminology
2
of cotton fiber.
NOTE 1—For another test method to determine the maturity of cotton 3.1 Definitions:
fibers, refer to Test Method D1442.
3.1.1 For all terminology relating to D13.11, Cotton Fibers,
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
refer to Terminology D7139. The following terms are relevant
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
to this standard; fineness, maturity, micronaire, ribbon width,
standard.
and snippet.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2 fineness, gravimetric, n—the linear mass density of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
fiber measured in millitex (mtex). Synonymous with linear
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
density (ASTM’s definition for linear density – mass per unit
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
length).
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 ribbon width, n—the distance measured in microns
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
(µm) across an individual cotton fiber width in longitudinal
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
section viewed under a polarized light microscope.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.4 snippet, n—fibers cut into very short lengths of less
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
than 1 mm.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.5 For all other terminology related to textiles, refer to
2. Referenced Documents
Terminology D123.
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
D123Terminology Relating to Textiles
4.1 Cotton fibers are cut into snippets no greater than 1 mm
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD13onTextiles
using scissors, a guillotine or mechanical corer. The snippets
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.11 on Cotton Fibers.
areweighed,droppedintoawaterfilledbowlanddispersedby
Current edition approved July 1, 2021. Published September 2021. DOI:
10.1520/D8394-21.
a magnetic stirrer so that they spread randomly across the
2
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
instrument’sdigitalcameraviewingport.Twotothreedroplets
isCottonscopePty.Ltd.,13WillcockStreet,Ardross6153,WesternAustralia.Ifyou
of a non-foaming surfactant can be used to aide dispersion of
are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM
thesnippetsinthewaterbath.Theindividualizedanddispersed
International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a
1
meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
fibers are then photographed under polarized light and the data
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
collected by the instrument’s software, which analyzes the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
color images to determine fineness, maturity, micronaire and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. ribbon width.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West
...

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