National Textile University

B.Sc. Textile Engineering

Practical Lab Report / Fall-2018

Course Code: TE-3112

Course Title: Fiber science

Practical No. 2
Determination of moisture regain, moisture content of a
Title of Practical given sample of cotton by oven drying method

Student Name Ameer Aman Ullah

Registration No. 17-NTU-0028

Semester/Group 3rd/2

Date of Lab Report Submission 10/10/2018

Submitted To DR Abdul Jabbar

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1. Contents
1. Contents....................................................................................................................................2
1. Title..........................................................................................................................................3
2. Apparatus..................................................................................................................................3
3. Summary..................................................................................................................................3
4. Introduction..............................................................................................................................3
1. Moisture Regain....................................................................................................................3
2. Moisture content...................................................................................................................4
5. Procedure..................................................................................................................................4
6. Result........................................................................................................................................4
7. Calculation................................................................................................................................4
8. Conclusion................................................................................................................................5

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1. Title
Determination of moisture regain, moisture content of a given sample of cotton by oven drying
method

2. Apparatus
1. Specimen Bottle
2. Oven drying device
3. Digital balance
4. Solid cap
5. Perforated cap

3. Summary
Proper assessment of the moisture content (mc) of cotton lint is critical to all phases of cotton
processing. Traditional methods of mc determination require multiple 20-g specimens of lint,
which is more than is available on many occasions. Thus, the use of smaller specimens was
considered. Cotton lint specimens of 1, 5, 10, and 20 g were taken from lots conditioned to
different moisture content levels and mc determined by the oven method. Results indicated that
the mean mc based on 1-g specimens was the same as that based on 20-g specimens. Based on
the variance of the mc data separated by specimen size and drying time, seven 1-g specimens
produced the same variance as three 20-g specimens after 1 h of oven drying. Therefore, 1-g
specimens can be used for oven-based mc determination instead of 20-g specimens, consuming
considerably less lint material. The procedure to determine mc based on 1-g specimens required
more time and effort as well as more specimens to achieve a similar variance, so the 1-g sample
procedure should only be used when material is limited.

4. Introduction
On a more fundamental level, the molecular structure of the cotton fiber includes hydroxyl
groups that attract water molecules that hydrogen bond to the cellulose. This bonding changes
the properties and characteristics of the fiber. Possible locations of water molecules on cotton
fibers have been explored based on fiber size, crystallite size, known crystal structures of
cellulose hydrates, and cross-sections of swollen cotton fiber
Weight of moisture
MC= x 100
Weight of oven drying
1. Moisture Regain
Moisture regain is defined as the percentage of water present in a textile material of oven dry
weight.

If weight of moisture = W
Oven Dry Weight =D

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Moisture Regain =M. R
So, M. R= W/D * 100%
2. Moisture content
M.C is defined as the Percentage of water present in a textile material of total weight.
If, Weight of moisture =W
over dry weight =D
Moisture regain =MR
Moisture Content =Mc
So, the M.C=W/W+D*100%

5. Procedure
1. First, I took 10g of cotton
2. Then we counted the cotton in digital balance
3. I put the cotton in in bottle with close cap and weight it
4. I replaced solid cap with perforated cap
5. And I pushed the bottle in to the drying units and switch on the oven
6. I removed the bottle after the drying unit
7. Then I replaced perforated cap with solid cap and weight it
8. I noted the count record

6. Result
7. Calculation

D
C= ×W '
M
W’ = is the weight of consignment
M = 10g M: - mass of specimen
C = 66.10 C: - mass of empty container
B = 76.11
Moisture content = MC = 66.70+10=76.70g
Weight = W = 0.59g
0 .59
Moisture regain =MR = ×100
9 . 41
= 6.27%

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 0 . 59
MC = ×100
0 .59+ 9 . 41
= 5.9%
9.41
C= ×7000 kg
10 g
Total water allowed = W1
W1
M.R =
oven dry weight of consignment
W1
6.27 = × 100
6587
6.27
W1 = × 6587
100
= 413.0049
CIW = 6587+413.0049
= 7000.0049

8. Conclusion
Moisture regain effected the cotton properties, and also increase weight of a cotton due to
absorption of moisture. The strength of cotton is not effected