Department of Textile Engineering

Textile Testing & Quality Control-1

Prepared by- S. M. Masum Alam

FIBRE FINENESS

Fibre Fineness: Fibres exhibit a Varity of cross-sectional shapes and they also vary in section along their
length and vary from fibre to fibre. Fineness denotes the size of the cross-sectional dimensions of the
fibres. As the cross-sectional features are irregular, direct determination of the area of cross section is
difficult and laborious. Some dimensional features such as swollen diameter, ribbon width etc, can be
determined directly and some times used to specify the fineness of cotton fibre.

The linear density or weight per unit length of the fibre is the more commonly used index of fineness. In
England, the linear density is called either the fibre weight per centimeter or Hair weight per centimeter
and it usually expressed in units of 10¯⁸ g/cm or 10¯⁵ mg/cm. The unit commonly used in American is
micrograms per inch (10¯⁶).

In Tex system, the linear density of cotton fibres is expressed in terms of milli Tex which is the weight in
milligrams of one kilometer length of fibre. This is identical with the unit of 10¯⁶ g/cm.

Importance of Fineness:

1. Lower irregularity of yarn: The irregularity in the yarn depend upon the average number of fibre
in the cross- section. With a greater number of fibres in the cross section, the basic irregularity is
reduced. The average number of fibres in the cross section for given count of yarn, will depend on
the fibre fineness.

2. Uniformity of count: If the fibres are fine, the number of fibres in the cross section is more and
irregularity is less, yarn counts are more uniform.

3. Uniformity of strength: if the given count is spun, from a fine fibres produced the more uniform
and stronger yarn compare with coarse fibres.

4. Uniform of fabric characteristics: As the fine fibre gives more uniform and stronger yarn it is help
to produce more uniform fabric.

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 Department of Textile Engineering

Textile Testing & Quality Control-1

Prepared by- S. M. Masum Alam

5. Less twist: Broadly speaking the finer fibre, the greater or total surface area available for inter
fibre contact and accordingly less twist is needed to provide the necessary inter fibre friction. This
is reflected in the twist factors used for spinning different types of material.

6. Affect on Mechanical properties: The fineness of the fibre also affects several mechanical
properties and therefore influences their behavior of the fibre during processing and the
properties of the resultant yarns and fabrics. The most important fibre properties effected by the
fibre fineness-
a) The torsion rigidity- Resistance of Twisting,
b) The stiffness- Resistance of bending.

7. Less Neps: From the finer fibres produced yarns are appears less neps and good look.

Principle of Fibre Fineness Measurement:

1. Gravimeter,
2. Optical Method,
3. Air Flow Method,
4. Uni-dimensional Method,
5. Bi-dimensional Method.

The W.I.R.A Cotton fineness meter:

This instrument is modified version of wool fineness meter and manufactured by Shirley
Developments limited. W.I.R.A instrument and the Sheffield Micronaire operate on similar principle.

Micronaire: It is an instrument based on the air flow principle. This is originally developed to estimate the
fibre fineness in terms of micrograms per inch for cotton, the value do not signify only the fineness value.
It is integrated value of both fineness and maturity when used for cotton fibre.

Principle:

The rate of air flow is inversely proportional to the surface area of the fibres. A sample of known weight is
compressed in a cylinder to a known volume and subjected to an air current at a known pressure. The
rate of air flow through this porous plug of fibre, related to the fineness of the cotton fibre is measured.
Fig:

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 Department of Textile Engineering

Textile Testing & Quality Control-1

Prepared by- S. M. Masum Alam

Description:
The schematic diagram of micronaire is shown in fig: Air from a compressor is supplier to this
instrument.

To allow the air into the instrument the foot pedal is pressed. The air pressure is noted from pressure
gauge. To filter the dust particle, an air filter is incorporated in the line.

The inlet air pressure to the fibre can be altered using the air regulator. This air divided into two streams
at the point X. one stream passes through the flow meter to atmosphere another stream passes through
the perforations through the fibres in the fibre chamber and through the plunger to the atmosphere.

If the fibres are fine, then the blockage to air flow will be more and the blockage air will passes along with
the tube Y. press the float downwards and goes to the atmosphere.

Here for finer fibres, the micronaire value will be less similarly for coarser fibre micronaire value will be
high.

The air regulator controls the air pressure difference across the plug of fibre, reducing the input pressure
of over 40 lb/sq. inch to 4.75 lb/sq. inch a value measured by mercury monomer built into the instrument.

Initial setting:
1. The pressure of air supplied to the instrument is adjusted to 1.75 kg/sq.cm (25 PSI) by adjusting
primary air regulator,
2. The pressure of the air fed to the fibre is adjusted to0.42 kg/sq.cm (6PSI) of mercury using the
monometer and air regulator,
3. A special master plug is pushed home into the fibre compression chamber, for cotton upper limit is
6.2 and lower limit 2.8.

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 Department of Textile Engineering

Textile Testing & Quality Control-1

Prepared by- S. M. Masum Alam

Testing Procedure for cotton:

1. 50 grains (3.24 gms) of sample is taken and balance accordingly. Only ±0.1 grain (6 milligram) is
permite to tolerance,
2. The sample opened very well and fibre are separated and randomized individually,
3. The sample placed into compression chamber,
4. The fibre compression plunger is 1 inch diameter and 1 inch length, it is inserted and locked in its
place by twisting.
5. The foot pedal is operated to allow air inside and the reading taken with the top level of the float.
6. The foot pedal is operate the shut off the air flow, then the fibre sample is removed from the
compression chamber.
7. The sample is opened out and repacked into the fibre compression chamber,
8. Two sample should be tested from each test lot and average value is calculated to nearest 0.1
micronaire unit.

Fibre Fineness Rating:

Micrograms per inch (Micronaire) Rating

Below 3 Very Fine
3 to 3.9 Fine
4 to 4.9 Average fine
5 to 5.9 Coarse
6 to above Very coarser.