Analysis of cotton fiber maturity. I. x‐ray study of phase transformation in various cottons

Abstract
An x‐ray diffraction technique is described for the determination of the extent of conversion of cellulose I to cellulose II lattice in partly mercerized cottons. This technique has been applied to obtain the degree of phase transformation, after subjecting various cottons to swelling in 12% (w/w) NaOH at 65% R.H. and 27°C. For the various cottons studied, a direct relationship is found to exist between fiber maturity and the untransformed cellulose after swelling.