Annual cotton production exceeds 25 million metric tons and accounts for more than 40 percent of the textile fiber consumed worldwide. A key textile fiber for over 5000 years, this complex carbohydrate is also one of the leading crops to benefit from genetic engineering. Cotton Fiber Chemistry and Technology offers a modern examination of co

Cotton fiber is the most important natural fiber used in the textile industry. The physical structure and chemical compositions of cotton fibers have been extensively studied. Newer high speed spinning instruments are being deployed around the world that demand longer, stronger and finer fibers. Consequently, genetic improvement in fiber quality has been stressed. With improvement in fiber quality has come the realization that further fiber improvement will require a better understanding of fiber development and biology. As a consequence, cotton fiber developmental biology, genetics and genomics have become focal points in the cotton research community. As the longest single-celled plant hair, cotton fiber has been used as an experiment model to study trichome initiation and elongation in plants. This book provides a comprehensive update on cotton fiber physics, chemistry and biology that form the three sections of the book. In the physics section, the physical structure of cotton fiber is first illustrated in great detail. Then a suite of fiber properties and their measuring methods are described. The pros and cons of each method are outlined. New methods to measure physical properties of single fiber and young developing fibers are included. In the chemistry section, the chemical compositions of cotton fibers are described in detail. This knowledge is necessary for efficient modification of cotton fibers for better and broader utilization. The advancement in cotton fiber modification using chemical and enzymatic methods opened new ways to utilize cotton fibers. In the biology section, the book first introduces the utilization of naturally occurring color cottons. Color cottons possess unique attributes such as better fire retardant ability. Advancement in understanding fiber color genetics and biochemical pathways and new utilization of color cottons are discussed. Recent technological advancements in molecular biology and genomics have enabled us to study fiber development in great depth. Many genes and quantitative trait loci related to fiber quality attributes have been identified and genetically mapped. Some of these genes and QTLs are being used in breeding. Progresses in cotton fiber improvement using breeding and biotechnology are discussed in the last chapter. This book serves as a reference for researchers, students, processors, and regulators who either conduct research in cotton fiber improvement or utilize cotton fibers.

Textiles are ubiquitous materials that many of us take for granted in our everyday lives. We rely on our clothes to protect us from the environment and use them to enhance our appearance. Textiles also find applications in transport, healthcare, construction, and many other industries. The revised and updated 2nd Edition of The Chemistry of Textile Fibres highlights the trend towards the synthesis, from renewable resources, of monomers for making synthetic fibres. It contains new information on the influence of legislation and the concerns of environmental organisations on the use of chemicals in the textile industry. New sections on genetically modified cotton, anti-microbial materials and spider silk have been added as well as a new chapter covering functional fibres and fabrics. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the various types of textile fibres that are available today, ranging from natural fibres to the high-performance fibres that are very technologically advanced. Readers will gain an appreciation of why particular types of fibre are used for certain applications through understanding the chemistry behind their properties. Students following ‘A’ level courses or equivalent and first-year undergraduate students reading textile technology subjects at university will find this book a valuable source of information.

The revised and updated third edition of The Chemistry of Textile Fibres provides a comprehensive overview of materials that many of us take for granted in our everyday lives.

Cottons importance as a crop and as a textile fibre is still significant. However, its importance has been and will continue to be seriously challenged by the growth in consumption of man-made fibre, particularly polyester. This book is divided into three parts. The first part, covering seven chapters, describes the chemical and physical properties of cotton fibre. These chapters focus on the differences between cotton and polyester fibre properties, and highlight areas researchers will need to pursue to keep cotton competitive. Two lesser discussed properties receive attention: Cotton fibres wax layer and cotton celluloses glass transition temperature. The hydrophobic wax layer that protects cotton during mechanical processing and aids the dispersal of its seed by water, has been central in the development of the spinning technology used by cotton and polyester fibre alike. The wax provides lubrication between the fibre surface and the processing surfaces during opening, carding and spinning. The chapter on cotton celluloses glass transition temperature introduces the less appreciated concept that cottons cellulose can be plasticised at particular temperatures and moisture contents, wherein cottons mechanical properties, e.g. elongation to break, can be improved. The range of fibre property values and the variation found in cotton stand as markers for future researchers to improve by way of plant and crop management, breeding (including genetic modification), and chemical processing. Long standing objectives include longer, stronger and finer fibre, which all translate to better looking and performing yarn and fabric. However, properties that give cotton fabric improved resilience, drape and dyed-colour appearance also stand as objectives to improve cottons competitiveness. The second part of the book introduces uses of cotton that are less considered; cotton nonwovens, bandages impregnated with natural anti-microbial agents and cellulose aerogels are products with excellent potential, and deserve further research and development. Standard textile products are not discussed in this section. These are discussed in the third and final part of the book. The final four chapters focus on the current performance of cotton in different apparel and home furnishing markets, in the commodity marketplace, and in spinning and dyeing. These final chapters point to a challenging future for cotton if the industry and its researchers curtail their pursuit of better crop productivity, fibre quality, processing technology and product development.

"Offers comprehensive coverage of the most important natural and synthetic fibers used in consumer goods, agriculture, industry, medicine, and engineering. Second Edition provides entirely new coverage of topics such as vinyl fibers; mammalian fibers related to wool; cotton, jute, silk, and kenaf fibers; and acrylic fibers."