ASTM D1447-07(2012)e1

Standard Test Method for Length and Length Uniformity of Cotton Fibers by Photoelectric Measurement

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is considered satisfactory for acceptance testing when the levels of the laboratories are controlled by the use of the same reference standard cotton samples because the current estimates of between-laboratory precision are acceptable under these conditions. If there are differences of practical significance between reported test results for two laboratories (or more), comparative tests should be performed to determine if there is a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assistance. As a minimum, ensure the test samples to be used are as homogeneous as possible, are drawn from the material from which the disparate test results were obtained, and are randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. The test from the two laboratories should be compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, at a probability level chosen prior to the testing series. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or future test results for that material must be adjusted in consideration of the known bias.
Fibrograph measurements provide a relatively fast method for determining the length and length uniformity of the fibers in a sample of cotton in a reproducible manner.
Results of the Fibrograph length tests do not necessarily agree with those obtained by other methods for measuring lengths of cotton fibers because of the effect of fiber crimp and other factors.
Fibrograph tests are more objective than commercial staple length classifications and also provide additional information on fiber length uniformity of cotton fibers. The cotton quality information provided by these results is used in research studies and quality surveys, in checking commercial staple length classifications, in assembling bales of cotton into uniform lots, and for other purposes.
Fibrograph measurements are based on the assumptions that a fiber is caught randomly along its length.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the length and length uniformity of cotton fibers by use of photoelectric measurement. The test method is applicable to fibers taken from raw or partially processed cotton (up to card mat) or some types of cotton waste, but not to fibers from blends of cotton with other fibers or to fibers recovered from cotton yarns, fabrics or to 100 % synthetic fibers.
1.2 This test method is especially adapted for determining the length and length uniformity of cotton fibers by models of the Digital Fibrograph, hereafter referred to as Fibrograph.
Note 1—Instructions for the use of Manual and Servo Fibrograph Models were included in the text of Test Method D1447 in 1971 and previous editions.
Note 2—For other methods covering the measurement of the length of cotton fibers refer to Test Method D1440.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2012
• ICS: 59.060.10 - Natural fibres
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.11 - Cotton Fibers

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: D1447 − 07 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Test Method for
Length and Length Uniformity of Cotton Fibers by
Photoelectric Measurement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1447; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—The terminology section was updated in July 2012.
1. Scope D3025 Practice for Standardizing Cotton Fiber Test Results
by Use of Calibration Cotton Standards
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the length
D7139 Terminology for Cotton Fibers
and length uniformity of cotton fibers by use of photoelectric
measurement. The test method is applicable to fibers taken
3. Terminology
fromraworpartiallyprocessedcotton(uptocardmat)orsome
types of cotton waste, but not to fibers from blends of cotton
3.1 For all terminology related to D13.11, refer to Termi-
with other fibers or to fibers recovered from cotton yarns,
nology D7139.
fabrics or to 100 % synthetic fibers.
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
fibrogram, mean length, uniformity index, upper-half-mean
1.2 This test method is especially adapted for determining
length.
the length and length uniformity of cotton fibers by models of
the Digital Fibrograph, hereafter referred to as Fibrograph.
3.2 For all other terminology related to textiles, refer to
NOTE 1—Instructions for the use of Manual and Servo Fibrograph
Terminology D123.
Models were included in the text of Test Method D1447 in 1971 and
previous editions.
4. Summary of Test Method
NOTE 2—For other methods covering the measurement of the length of
cotton fibers refer to Test Method D1440.
4.1 Fibers are placed on comb(s) in such a way that they are
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
caught at random points along their lengths to form a beard.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
The beard is scanned photoelectrically from base to tip, the
standard.
amount of light passing through the beard being used as a
measure of the number of fibers that extend various distances
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
from the comb(s).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 The Fibrograph shows the amount and the length
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
readings from the Fibrogram being sensed on separate dials.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 This test method is considered satisfactory for accep-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tance testing when the levels of the laboratories are controlled
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
by the use of the same reference standard cotton samples
D1440 Test Method for Length and Length Distribution of
because the current estimates of between-laboratory precision
Cotton Fibers (Array Method)
are acceptable under these conditions. If there are differences
D1441 Practice for Sampling Cotton Fibers for Testing
of practical significance between reported test results for two
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
laboratories (or more), comparative tests should be performed
to determine if there is a statistical bias between them, using
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D13 on Textiles
competent statistical assistance.As a minimum, ensure the test
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.11 on Cotton Fibers.
samples to be used are as homogeneous as possible, are drawn
Current edition approved July 1, 2012. Published August 2012. Originally
ε1
from the material from which the disparate test results were
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D1447 – 07 . DOI:
10.1520/D1447-07R12E01.
obtained, and are randomly assigned in equal numbers to each
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
laboratoryfortesting.Thetestfromthetwolaboratoriesshould
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
be compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, at a
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. probability level chosen prior to the testing series. If a bias is
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D1447 − 07 (2012)
FIG. 1 Fibrosampler
found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or future 7. Sampling
test results for that material must be adjusted in consideration
7.1 Division into Lots—For acceptance testing purposes, the
of the known bias.
purchaser and the supplier shall agree on what material
5.2 Fibrograph measurements provide a relatively fast
constitutes a lot.
method for determining the length and length uniformity of the
7.2 LotSample—Asalotsampleforacceptancetesting,take
fibers in a sample of cotton in a reproducible manner.
at random the number of shipping containers directed in an
5.3 Results of the Fibrograph length tests do not necessarily
applicable material specification or other agreement between
agree with those obtained by other methods for measuring
the purchaser and the supplier, such as an agreement to use
lengths of cotton fibers because of the effect of fiber crimp and
Practice D1441.
other factors.
7.3 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for accep-
5.4 Fibrograph tests are more objective than commercial
tance testing, select and prepare a 30 to 50 g subsample from
staple length classifications and also provide additional infor-
eachoftheshippingcontainersinthelotsample,proceedingas
mation on fiber length uniformity of cotton fibers. The cotton
directed in Practice D1441 using either the blended sample
quality information provided by these results is used in
procedure or the subsample procedure as agreed between the
research studies and quality surveys, in checking commercial
purchaser and the supplier.
staple length classifications, in assembling bales of cotton into
7.4 Test Specimens—As directed in Section 10, prepare
uniform lots, and for other purposes.
either two or four specimens from each subsample in the
5.5 Fibrograph measurements are based on the assumptions
laboratory sample. For acceptance testing, test either two or
that a fiber is caught randomly along its length.
four specimens from each subsample in the laboratory sample
as agreed between the purchaser and the supplier.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Fibrograph, digital model, with accessory equipment as
8. Preparation and Adjustment of Apparatus
shown in Fig. 2.
8.1 Set up the Fibrograph and adjust it as directed in the
6.2 Fibrosampler, for the preparation of test specimens
manufacturer’s instructions for the model being used.
(required) as shown in Fig. 1.
8.2 Set up and adjust the Fibrosampler as directed in the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Instruments and accessories meeting these requirements may be obtained from
8.3 Before making Fibrograph length tests, allow the instru-
Uster Technologies, Inc., 456 Troy Circle, P. O. Box 51270, Knoxville, TN
37919-1270. ment to warm up until it is electronically stable (5 minutes),
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D1447 − 07 (2012)
FIG. 2 Digital Fibrograph, Model 730
then carefully check it both electronically and mechanically by
using the methods listed in 8.3.1-8.3.4 for specific items.
8.3.1 When the Fibrograph is first powered on, the LEDs on
the front of the instrument will display the unit’s system
information. After the system information is displayed, the
combtransportmovesfromthestarttothestoppositiontozero
the optics. Once the comb transport has returned to the start
position, lift the door and adjust the optics by following the
manufacturer’s instruction.
8.3.2 The Fibrograph calibration should be checked once a
week. During calibration check the calibration values are not
changed. When a calibration is performed, the calibration
values will be changed.Ametal length standard with a known
length value is supplied with the Fibrograph for calibration
purposes. Follow the calibration procedures as directed in the
manufacturer’s instructions.
8.3.3 Measure specimens of cotton fibers from a laboratory
control sample with established length values (Note 3). Each
technician must measure separate specimens prepared from a
laboratory control sample and obtain acceptable length results
before performing similar measurements on specimens from
unknown samples. When unacceptable results are obtained
from the laboratory control sample, recheck the instrument
adjustments and the testing techniques until acceptable results
are obtained (Note 4).
FIG. 3 Diagram Showing Digital Fibrograph Length Measure-
NOTE 3—Standard calibration cotton samples for Fibrograph length
ments
tests are avai
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