The Surface of Cotton Fibers

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Abstract
Microscopical studies of surface replicas of chemically finished or modified cotton fibers have shown that the characteristic surface of native cotton is often altered by various commercial and experimental treatments. While removal of the wax from the fiber sur face has little effect, scouring usually uncovers the fine cellulose fibrils of the primary or even secondary walls. Mercerization does not eliminate the rugosities of the native fiber surface. Additive finishes, including starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, colloidal silica, and acrylic polymer resins change the original fiber topography to an extent dependent on the amount applied. In general, particulate additives tend to concentrate in the grooves of the fiber surface when applied in dilute formulations, but cover most of the fiber surface at higher concentrations. Chemical modifications which increase the fiber cross sectional area make the fiber surface smoother, hut extensive swelling of the cellulose derivative during its preparation appears to create roughness in some modifications. Crease resistant finishes do not alter the fiber topography significantly.