Cotton Fiber
A unicellular, natural staple fiber hitch is the seed hair of plants of the genus Gossypium. It is almost pure cellulose and a distinguishing characteristic is its irregular spiral configuration. The fiber is fine and its length varies from less than 1/2 inch to over 2 inches. The quality and color of cotton fiber, normally creamy white but sometimes much darker, is determined by the plant variety as well as the location, soil and climatic conditions under which it is cultivated. The largest cotton producers by far today are China, the U.S., and Russia. Other growers with high output are India, Pakistan, Brazil, Turkey, and several South America and African countries.Characteristics : for marketing, cotton fibers are graded and classed for length, fineness, strength, and color. It is a highly versatile fiber with high strength and a high moisture regain of 8%, which contributes to its comfort.End uses : cotton is the most widely used natural fiber. Because of its versatility and comfort, cotton is widely used throughout the world in a very broad range of textile materials. Today cotton is often blended with other staple fibers, especially polyester, to take advantage of the characteristics of both fibers.