Validation of new cotton fiber friction testing method: Assessing the effect of fiber surface chemistry on friction

Cotton fiber friction is crucial in regulating fiber flow during spinning and can influence yarn quality. Cotton wax acts as a natural lubricant and may impact fiber-to-fiber friction. Previously, a new method was developed for measuring cotton fiber-to-fiber friction. In the present study, the new method was employed to investigate the effects of noncellulosic materials on fiber-to-fiber friction using white, green, and brown cotton samples. All three cotton samples were subjected to xylene treatments under varying sample forms, durations, and temperatures to remove wax and other noncellulosic components. The new method was then used to measure fiber-to-fiber friction of both control and treated samples. Xylene treatment resulted in increased friction values across all cotton types. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate changes in the surface chemistry due to xylene treatment. The FTIR analysis showed a reduction in noncellulosic materials, primarily wax, in treated samples. Furthermore, the principal component analysis (PCA) of FTIR data revealed a clear distinction between control and treated samples, supporting the reduction of noncellulosic materials. Overall, wax reduction resulted in higher friction values of xylene-treated samples, and the new method effectively measured this, demonstrating further validation of its effectiveness for cotton fiber-to-fiber friction measurement. • Surface chemistry of cotton fibers impacts its fiber-to-fiber friction. • Xylene treatment removes wax from cotton fiber surfaces. • Wax removal increases fiber friction as measured by a previously developed method. • This finding further validates the effectiveness of the developed method. • The method could offer valuable insights into the spinning process and yarn quality.