THE PHYSICAL CAUSES OF THE LUSTRE IN COTTON

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Abstract
The well-known fact that certain varieties of cotton are characterised by their lustre, is often ascribed to their “fineness.” The present investigation, based on actual photometric measurements shows, however, that the only physical factor which affects the lustre is the shape of the cross sections. Cotton hairs which tend to be circular in section are more lustrous than flattened hairs. This accounts for the superior lustre obtained on mercerisation, especially under tension. Of the material examined, there was not a specimen, even of mercerised cotton, which was really circular in section, suggesting that there is a possibility of obtaining still better lustre with mercerised cotton, either by improving the mercerisation process or by better choice of the raw cotton employed.

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