For more than one millennium, mankind has known unique properties cotton. Once upon a time, people learned to make fabric from this plant and sew clothes from it. It is still cultivated today, and on a huge industrial scale. In spite of a large number of varieties of modern natural cotton products are incomparable in quality with any of them. And of course, it’s not for nothing that cotton is called “white gold”!

Cotton is the king among fabric raw materials

This is an annual plant "living" in Kazakhstan, Transcaucasia and other regions. In small boxes above the cotton seeds are delicate "clouds" of natural vegetable cellulose fiber. They are the main value. Depending on the length of the fibers, cotton is classified as long-staple, medium-staple and short-staple. To the touch, the cotton ball is very soft, warm, dry and slightly rough. Cotton fabrics differ in thickness (thick, medium, thin) and the location of the pile (one-sided and two-sided pile). This “gentle” material has been familiar to everyone since childhood, since it is from it that clothes for babies are sewn. Even for newborns, natural properties are ideal. Unfortunately, at present, materials from 100% natural " white gold You can meet less and less, and their cost is growing more and more. But in mass production, mixed options are made containing a different percentage of cotton threads. It is quite difficult to visually distinguish these fabrics from each other, however, when touching the body, the sensations from natural and semi-natural materials are completely different.

The composition and properties of cotton

Cotton is the most important raw material in the textile industry. It contains 90% pure cellulose. The thickness of the villi-threads ranges from 0.01 to 0.04 mm. They are located one above the other in a spiral, and in the process of spinning, screwing one into the other, they cause excellent adhesion. Natural clothing has excellent hygroscopic and breathable properties, thanks to which it perfectly absorbs sweat, does not stick to the body and creates an optimal microclimate. All cotton items are highly hygienic, they are very comfortable to wear, do not cause allergic reactions and skin irritations, therefore they are suitable for absolutely everyone. In the presence of skin diseases, doctors recommend wearing only cotton clothes, because it has a healing effect, providing the skin with breath.

Physical and chemical properties of cotton

Cotton cannot be dissolved in alkali, phenol and acetone, but hydrochloric and sulfuric acids can destroy it. It withstands high temperatures, has high resistance to tearing and abrasion, which makes it possible to repeatedly wash in hot water with the use of detergents and long-term wear of things made from natural cotton fabrics. In addition, the properties of cotton contribute to the absorption of up to 20% of moisture from its own weight, leaving a feeling of dryness.

Cotton fabrics are divided into two main types: household and technical. The bulk of cotton fabrics are household (about 80%), which are intended for sewing clothes, including linen, suit, dress, shirt fabrics, as well as fabrics for jackets, summer and demi-season coats and raincoats.

Among household fabrics, one can find decorative fabrics used for the manufacture of curtains and furniture upholstery, as well as moisture-absorbing fabrics (handkerchiefs and towels). Cotton fabrics can be of various widths: 80, 90, 140 and 160 centimeters.

Cotton is also used to make summer flannelette blankets, tablecloths, bedspreads and gauze. Technical fabrics are packaging and tare.

Types of cotton fabrics and their application

Below is a list of cotton fabrics, their brief description and application. If you are not well versed in fabrics, then after reading this list you can not only find out what cotton fabrics are, but also find out from what fabrics clothes, bed linen are sewn or used for furniture upholstery.

bike- dense soft fabric with thick fur. It is used in the manufacture of light blankets, pajamas, warm underwear and home clothes.

Velvet- soft fabric. On the front side there is a thick pile. It is used in sewing jackets, trousers, women's dresses, and is also used in interior decoration and the production of curtains.

Batiste- translucent thin fabric of plain weave from strongly twisted threads. The main use of cambric is the tailoring of light dresses and lingerie.

Bumazeya- a fabric that has a one-sided fleece, usually on the wrong side. They sew children's clothes from bumazeya and women's dresses.

Bufmuslin- translucent fabric, very thin. It was especially popular in the 1830s. Nowadays it is used for sewing blouses and women's dresses.

Coarse calico- dense unusual fabric. The warp threads are much thinner than the weft threads. They sew overalls, men's and bed linen from coarse calico. Bleached calico is called canvas.

waffle fabric- a fabric that is distinguished by its original weave, visually reminiscent of waffles. Has good absorbent properties. Therefore, it has found its application in the manufacture of towels.

Velveteen- Pretty thick fabric. On the front surface it has longitudinal scars made of weft pile. Velveteen is used in tailoring light coats, suits, skirts, trousers and men's shirts. Corduroy with a rib of more than 5 mm is called a velveteen cord, and with a narrow one - a velveteen rib. There is also a fabric based on velveteen - velveteen, a very durable and very dense fabric with a thick combed pile on one side. The main application is the tailoring of sports suits.

Volta- light, thin, silky and translucent plain weave fabric. They sew blouses from volta.

Veil- a transparent and smooth fabric used in tailoring dresses, blouses and scarves.

Gas- Finely twisted cotton fabric. The gas is used in the manufacture of scarves and shawls.

Worsted- a coarse, dense fabric with double-sided plain weave stuffing. Used in dressmaking.

Guipure- a fabric with a spectacular variety of interweaving of threads similar to lace. Guipure is used in the tailoring of elegant women's dresses, lingerie and blouses. Can also be used as decorative finishes listed products.

Greensbon- dense fabric with a twill weave (herringbone pattern). Bleached greensbon is used in the tailoring of men's underwear. Plain-dyed greensbon - in overalls, and a harsh greensbon is used for technical purposes.

Dalemba- the fabric, like greensbon, has a twill weave, and is used in tailoring demi-season clothing.

Damascus- Plain weave fabric. Sometimes in combination with satin. Goes into sewing curtains and linen. Can be used as upholstery fabric.

Demikoton- double, very dense satin weave fabric. Distributed among poor townspeople and petty officials in the 19th century. It was used in the manufacture of coarse coats and frock coats.

Denim is a variety denim. The threads of its warp are black or blue colors, and the thread itself is a white weft. Simply put, the wrong side of the manufactured product is white, and the front is colored. Sew from denim outerwear: jackets, trousers, skirts and summer coats.

Denim- durable fabric. Initially used in tailoring work clothes. Now it is very popular all over the world and is used in the tailoring of trousers, skirts, suits, shoes, bags, accessories and hats.

Diagonal- thick, oblique ribbed cotton fabric. Jackets, suits and military uniforms are sewn from the diagonal.

Kazinet- one-color, having a twill weave, fabric. In the 19th century, the casenet went into tailoring for the lower civil ranks.

canifas- plain thick fabric. It happens with an ornament in the form of stripes or printed. It has been used in Russia since Peter the Great. Popular among the poor for its durability and value.

Kindyak- a fabric with a printed pattern. It took place in the 19th century. Went to lining.

Kisei- translucent and very thin fabric. Like many cotton fabrics, it has a plain weave. Kiseya can be colored, white, patterned, in large and small cells, and even with embroidered ornaments. Goes into the tailoring of children's and light women's dresses.

Calico. The fabric is heavily starched during the finishing process. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was used for lining and church needs. Widely used as a binding material.

More beautiful- airy lightweight fabric with a "wrinkled surface" obtained through chemical treatment or pleating and a special weave of threads. Sometimes the more beautiful is decorated with silver or gold threads, which gives a special beauty to women's dresses made from the beautiful.

Cretonne- dense, plain weave fabric. Pre-dyed yarn allows you to get geometric colored patterns in the form of cells and stripes. At one time it was used for the manufacture of various draperies, awnings, curtains, and also went to upholstery.

xandreika in the 19th century in France it was red-striped. In Russia - one-color, with red or pink. Xandreyka is produced near the northern capital - St. Petersburg at the Alexander Manufactory.

Kumach- red fabric with a plain weave. They sewed shirts, sarafans and made flags from red calico.

Eraser- light fabric with a shiny surface. They sew dresses, shirts from an eraser. Used as underlays.

Madapolam- hard glossy fabric. Gloss is obtained by bleaching calico. Madapolam is used as linen fabric.

Madras- porous plain weave fabric. The porosity of madras is explained by the interweaving of threads of unequal thickness. Used in tailoring blouses and summer women's dresses.

Mayan- the fabric is light. Available printed, dyed and bleached. Goes into sewing blouses, children's and women's dresses.

marquisette- transparent, light and thin fabric. Marquisette is made from very fine twisted yarn. They sew blouses, light summer dresses and underwear from voile.

Gauze– hygroscopic transparent lightweight fabric. It is predominantly white in color. It is used in printing, clothing production, as well as in medicine as a dressing material.

Terry cloth has loop (terry) weaving. The surface of the terry fabric forms a double-sided pile in the form of loops formed from the warp threads. Bathrobes, towels, beach ensembles, sheets are sewn from terry cloth, and they are also used for decorative purposes and upholstered furniture.

Calico is a tough fabric. It is used as a semi-finished product in the production of leatherette and oilcloth. Further processing of calico allows you to get other types of cotton fabrics: bleaching - calico, applying an ornament - chintz, dyeing and finishing operations get linen fabrics: muslin and madapolam.

Moleskin- one-colored, dense, heavy and durable fabric with a reinforced satin weave, which has a smooth surface. Used in tailoring.

Muslin- soft thin fabric of plain weave. It is used for tailoring light dresses, underwear and blouses.

Nanca, as a rule, yellow-brown in color, rough and durable. It goes into the tailoring of hats, fur products, and is also used in the manufacture of emery cloths.

Nainsook- light and thin fabric. Goes into tailoring bed and underwear.

Percale- technically dense, but thin fabric made of non-twisted yarn. Percale is used in the manufacture of parachutes. Some types of percale are used in making blouses and summer dresses.

Piqué has longitudinal relief and narrow scars. It may have a convex geometric ornament on the front side. Bedspreads are made from pique. Goes into tailoring blouses, dresses, collars and children's products.

Raincoat fabric, raincoat fabric, raincoat diagonal has a water repellent finish. In the process of wearing products made from this fabric, the level of waterproof properties decreases, and with repeated washing and dry cleaning, they will completely disappear. Raincoat fabric goes into the tailoring of raincoats and jackets.

Plis is a type of velvet. It has the longest pile. It began to spread from the 17th century. In Russia, merchants and wealthy peasants sewed elegant clothes from plush, and the nobles used it in home clothes. Plis was also used in sewing upholstery for furniture and was used in the manufacture of shoes.

Plush has the greatest pile length, unlike velvet. Its length is approximately 2.2 mm. Plush is used for decorative purposes, in furniture upholstery, and also goes into tailoring and finishing clothes.

Poplin has transverse grooves. It is used in tailoring of blouses and men's shirts.

Prunella- dense, but thin fabric of twill weave. Prunel began to spread at the end of the 19th century, went to the upholstery of furniture and the manufacture of shoes.

Reps covered with scars on the front and back sides. It is used for making shoes and sewing outerwear.

Twill has oblique scars on the front surface. Used for linings.

satin has a shiny and smooth front side. Goes into tailoring men's underwear, shirts, women's and children's dresses.

Chintz, crinkled chintz- a fabric with a printed motley pattern of plain weave. Goes to sewing shirts, light children's and women's dresses. Crinkled chintz is obtained by a special heat treatment and used in the tailoring of bed linen, which does not need ironing after washing.

Cloth it is lint-free and lint-free. The front side of the cloth has a felt-like layer, behind which the weave pattern is not visible. Cloth is used in tailoring coats and suits.

Tarlatan- lightweight fabric. In the 19th century, she went into the tailoring of women's dresses.

Taffeta- a dense fabric of tightly twisted threads with patterns or small transverse scars on a matte background. Taffeta is used in women's dresses and men's shirts.

Teak (tikal)- dense cheap fabric with a pattern in the form of longitudinal stripes. Due to its low cost, it is used as an upholstery material for the manufacture of pillowcases for down and feather pillows, mattresses.

Tights- dense fabric. It has a clearly defined weave pattern (cells, longitudinal stripes, scars, etc.). It is used in tailoring of dresses and suits.

Tulle- a thin mesh fabric with mesh holes. The name of the fabric is derived from the French city of Tulle. Goes to sewing curtains.

Flannel- soft fabric. It has a double-sided bouffant. Flannel is used to sew pajamas, underwear, women's dressing gowns, children's clothes and diapers.

Chinz- polished fabric with a surface that gives the impression of being rubbed with wax. Chinz has the properties not to be saturated with water and not to get dirty. Goes into tailoring awnings, raincoats and jackets.

Ivanovskaya wool- crepe weave fabric. Has found application in demi-season clothing.

Plaid- a fabric with a pattern in a cage. Children's and women's dresses are sewn from plaid and men's shirts. Tartan winter shirts are made with fleece on the inside.

The textile market provides a large selection of fabrics from fibers of various origins, but natural samples have always been and will be out of competition. Cotton fabric is one of the available and widespread materials of natural origin. Its scope is tailoring, bed linen and other home textiles, furniture upholstery. A variety of ways of processing cotton threads and their weaving made it possible to create a large assortment of cotton fabrics.

Characteristics, manufacturing

Cotton fabric is the widest range of fabrics based on plant fiber. Cotton material entered Russia in the 15th century, and already in the days of the USSR, up to 75% of textile production was based on cotton.

Interesting fact: Where did the name "cotton" come from? The fact is that initially in the technical literature, cotton was called "cotton paper". Perhaps this is due to the fact that when burned, cotton fibers emit a papery smell.

The raw material for the material is a plant called cotton. Fibers are extracted from its fruits - hollow plant cells different lengths(it ranges from 1 to 55 mm). Previously, this was done manually, but the complexity of the process inspired people to create special combines. Now most cotton is processed by machines, with the exception of the most expensive types.

When the cotton is harvested, it is weighed, cleaned, sorted by length, then the fibers are woven into continuous threads, from which the canvas is subsequently created.

Depending on the millimeter of raw cotton, the yarn is divided into short (20-27 mm), medium (28-34 mm) and long-staple (35 mm and longer). It is impossible to make yarn from fibers shorter than 20 mm. The longer the original raw material, the smoother and more durable the finished fabric will be (batiste,). From short fibers, a loose, fleecy, non-uniform in thickness fabric (for example, flannel) is obtained. The bulk of cotton fabrics is made from fibers middle length(chintz, velveteen).

Cotton fibers come in milky white, pinkish and yellow-greenish colors, which is why natural raw fabrics have such delicate shades. Cotton can be dyed well, even at home.

Kinds

Currently, to give new properties and improve existing ones, polyester, acrylic, acetate, viscose, and linen threads are added to cotton. Ham cotton is also often introduced into the composition of materials, for example, wild silk, wool, etc. One of the advantages of mixing threads is cost reduction.

Types of cotton fabric are determined by the method of alternating warp and weft threads:

1. Plain weave (or "thread through thread"). In this way, a material with a flat and smooth surface is produced, its main property and advantage over other types is high strength. Coarse calico, cambric, chintz, taffeta and others are made with plain weave.
2. Twill weave (asymmetric thread shift). In this way, materials with small protrusions are woven, dense, rough and heavy. Examples of cotton twill fabrics: denim, bumazee, plaid,.
3. Satin weave (weft threads on the front side). Such materials are distinguished by a shiny surface and smoothness. An example is satin, an eraser.

Cotton fabrics are also classified according to the method of finishing:

• severe - fabric from under the loom, without dyeing, bleaching and finishing;
• bleached - a harsh canvas after exposure to bleaches;
• plain-colored - plain;
• printed - with a pattern;
• multi-colored - in a cage or strip;
• - fabric made of yarn based on threads different color(in small specks, less often - gradient, with a gradual transition from one color to another).

Separately, you need to highlight the bio-cotton fabric, or. This species is environmentally friendly. Both the growth and assembly of fiber and the production of matter take place without the use of chemicals. Bio-cotton is cultivated in ecologically clean areas and harvested by hand. These fabrics natural color They are not dyed or bleached.

Advice! Organic cotton is ideal for children's clothing, as well as clothing for people with sensitive skin prone to irritation.

Features, application

The use of cotton fabrics in the field of sewing clothes has no boundaries. These are casual and festive clothes, suits, skirts, trousers, home clothes, lining, etc. Cotton is indispensable for sewing home textiles.

How plain weave patterns are applied:

1. - light fabric for sewing shirts, bed linen, tablecloths, summer dresses.
2. - dense matter, the addition of artificial fibers is allowed. Suitable for making bed linen, curtains. From coarse calico, in addition to bedding, a durable lining is obtained.
3. Batiste created from twisted yarn, this is a thin translucent fabric. Blouses, dresses, underwear are sewn from it.
4. Veil- translucent thin matter. Dresses, blouses, scarves, veils are sewn from a veil, light veil curtains from it are popular, and headdresses are decorated with a veil.
5. Poplin- a fabric with a small transverse scar, obtained by weaving a thinner warp and a coarser weft. Suitable for sewing bed linen, including pillow covers (parlins), shirts, dresses.
6. - dense glossy and rather rigid material. Drapes well. Scope - volumetric details of clothing and home textiles.

Twill fabrics make good linings and draperies, as well as thick clothes:

1. Denim is a material for sewing work or casual jeans.
2. Bumazeya is a warm and soft fabric with a fleece on the inside. From the material, shirts, dresses, warm underwear that are pleasant to the body are obtained.
3. Flannel - a sample of softness, it comes with one-sided and two-sided fleece. It is used to make everyday clothes for children and adults. Flannel shirts are especially popular.
4. Tartan - the famous matter for Scottish kilts in a large cage. Skirts, dresses and suits are sewn from it.

Sateen - satin fabric of the new type of weave - is silky and shiny. Externally, the matter is similar to silk. Shirts and bathrobes are sewn from satin. Suitable for sewing easy shoes. Eraser is used to produce sportswear and children's clothing. Such dense samples of cotton fabric as diftin and creton are suitable for outer demi-season clothing and furniture upholstery.

Jeans or denim?

The first jeans were made from French durable canvas, which was woven in the city of Nimes, i.e. from de'Nim fabric - hence the name. A little later, the matter was transformed. She received her unique indigo color that does not fade, and the production of raw materials moved to American plantations. Another unique feature of jeans is that it is not the canvas that is dyed, but the warp threads. At the same time, the duck remains colorless - it forms a milky-white underside and leaves the smallest specks on the front side.

BUT ? This is a dense fabric of twill weaving, obtained from cotton raw materials of the highest standard. In this it is identical to jeans. However, denim is not necessarily woven from dyed fibers or has a blue color.

Today, denim and denim are merging concepts as consumers love heavyweight fabrics and want to see them in a variety of colors, including printed designs.

Advantages and disadvantages

The properties of cotton fabric depend on the fiber itself, on the method of weaving and finishing. There are several general positive characteristics natural materials from cotton:

1. They are pleasant to the touch, do not cause irritation.
2. Hypoallergenic.
3. They have a therapeutic effect, are used in medicine.
4. The main property that distinguishes cotton fabrics is hygroscopicity. Cotton fiber absorbs a large amount of moisture, while increasing up to 40%. The ability to absorb moisture means that in such clothes it will be comfortable in the summer heat.
5. Wet cotton has increased strength.
6. Cotton is breathable. The skin in such clothes breathes.
7. High strength allows cotton fabrics to withstand heavy loads.
8. Keep warm and warm.
9. Dry quickly.
10. Convenient for sewing: they do not slip, they are easy to cut, the cuts almost do not crumble.
11. Elasticity - does not impede movement.
12. At high temperature cotton remembers the shape it is in. This allows you to create the desired bends when modeling products, as well as smooth out matter.
13. Fabrics are affordable.

What are the disadvantages of natural cotton:

1. Unlike synthetics, the life of cotton is somewhat shorter.
2. Cotton fabric is wrinkled. The problem is solved by adding synthetic fibers.
3. Stretches badly.
4. Matter is exposed to micro-organisms which, under the right conditions (dampness), cause it to putrefy.
5. Not resistant to aggressive cleaning agents based on alkalis and inorganic acids.
6. At high temperature.
7. Organic cotton is expensive.

Care rules

To smooth out the imperfections of matter, just follow the rules for caring for it:

1. Wash at a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees, otherwise the product will sit down.
2. Do not use bleach on colored items.
3. To make the product easier to iron, dry it on a coat hanger or in a straightened form.
4. Cotton is ironed on either side with steam at an iron temperature of up to 200 degrees. If you heat it up more, the cotton will catch fire.

Advice! Wash synthetics and cotton separately so that the surface of the fabric does not roll.

How to distinguish real cotton from a fake:

• when trying to break the fabric, strong resistance is felt;
• cotton is not electrified;
• wrinkled under compression;
• if the fiber is set on fire, a yellow flame, smoke and a characteristic papery smell appear.

If you need to sew a comfortable, breathable and hypoallergenic product, cotton fabric will come to the rescue. This canvas is truly versatile: depending on the structure, diverse products are created from cotton, ranging from handkerchiefs to demi-season coats. There are many reasons for purchasing cotton products, but its main advantages are naturalness and affordability.

Cotton is the name given to the fibers that grow on the surface of the seeds of annual cotton plants. It is the main raw material of the textile industry. Raw cotton (cotton seeds covered with fibers) harvested from the fields goes to ginneries. Here, its primary processing takes place, which includes the following processes: cleaning of raw cotton from foreign weed impurities (from particles of stems, bolls, stones, etc.), as well as separating the fiber from seeds (ginning), pressing cotton fibers into bales and their packaging. Cotton is delivered in bales for further processing at cotton spinning mills.

Cotton fiber is a thin-walled tube with a channel inside. The fiber is somewhat twisted around its axis. Its cross section has a very diverse shape and depends on the maturity of the fiber. Cotton is characterized by relatively high strength, heat resistance (130-140 ° C), medium hygroscopicity (18-20%) and a small proportion of elastic deformation, as a result of which cotton products are strongly wrinkled.

More than 40 botanical species of cotton are known, which differ in yield, early maturity and fiber quality. 2 species are cultivated - hairy (medium fiber) and Barbados (fine fiber) cotton. The main cotton-growing regions (countries) are: India, Egypt, China, USA, Central Asia, Transcaucasia and southern Ukraine.

The main polymer of cotton is - cellulose (96%); in addition to it, the fibers contain a small amount of low molecular weight fractions of cellulose (1.5%), fats and waxes (about 1%), etc.

The structure of the fibers depends on the degree of their maturity. Cotton fibers are divided into: completely immature, immature, immature, mature and overripe. Under the microscope, immature cotton fibers are flattened, ribbon-like, with thin walls and a wide channel inside. As the fibers mature, cellulose is deposited in their walls, and the wall thickness increases, the channel becomes narrower, and the fiber becomes crimped. The wall thickness and the degree of crimp affect its quality. Immature thin-walled fibers look like flat or rolled ribbons, have low strength, low elasticity, and are poorly dyed. Mature cotton fibers in the longitudinal form are flattened tubes with a characteristic spiral crimp, which explains the high value of cotton as a spinning material.

Overripe fibers have a cylindrical shape and a narrow channel inside. The channel in the cotton fibers is open on one side. Overripe fibers have thick walls, increased strength, a straight (not crimped) shape, and relatively high stiffness. Neither fiber is suitable for textile processing. According to the degree of maturity, which is estimated based on the ratio of the outer and inner diameters of the fiber, cotton fibers are divided into 11 groups: from 0 (immature fiber) to 5 (extremely mature fiber) with an interval of 0.5. The most suitable for the manufacture of textile materials are fibers with a degree of maturity of 2.5-3.5.

In cross section, the fibers have a bean-shaped, sometimes rounded shape with a channel in the middle, which is open at one end, which affects the ability to easily wet and swell from the inside, surpassing bast fibers in this indicator. Along with this, despite the small mass, cotton fiber has a developed surface, which determines the positive adsorption property of cotton. Cotton fibers easily interlock with each other, straighten when pulled and lend themselves well to twisting. Thanks to these properties, cotton, which appeared in Europe later than other fibers (linen and hemp), very quickly gained a dominant position in textile production.

Cotton fibers together with seeds are called raw cotton. 1/3 of the mass of raw cotton is made up of fibers, 2/3 - seeds. Cotton seeds contain up to 15% cottonseed oil, which is used in the food industry.

Raw cotton harvested from cotton bushes goes to primary processing, which includes the following operations:

* preliminary cleaning of raw cotton from particles of leaves, bolls and branches on cleaning machines;

* separation of fibers from seeds on fiber separators - the result is cotton - fiber;

* cleaning fibers from dust, small impurities and fluff on mesh drums with vacuum suction;

* pressing fibers into bales and their packaging. Packed bales of cotton are then sent to cotton spinning mills.

The length and thickness of the fibers depend on the cotton variety. Cotton fiber is very thin, its number is 7000-5000. Depending on the length of the fibers, there are short-staple cotton up to 27 mm long, medium-staple cotton 27-35 mm long and long-staple cotton 35-50 mm long. In the group of short-staple cotton, down is distinguished (fibers up to 20 mm long), which is used to obtain canvases of non-woven fabrics and as a raw material for the production of artificial fibers. Short-staple cotton is processed into a thick and fluffy yarn for the manufacture of baize, flannel, fumes and other fabrics. From medium-fiber cotton, yarn of medium thickness is produced for the manufacture of chintz, carded satin and other fabrics. The thinnest and smoothest yarn is produced from fine-fiber cotton for the manufacture of high-quality thin cotton fabrics - batiste, voile, combed satin, etc.

The strength and elongation of the fibers depend on their degree of maturity, since as cotton matures, a spiral deposition of cellulose molecules occurs on the fiber walls, and mature fibers acquire a spiral crimp. Cotton fiber is relatively strong, so cotton fabrics are heavily wrinkled. The disadvantages of the fiber include low elasticity. The proportion of plastic deformation in full elongation is 50%; due to the low elastic deformation, fabrics made of cotton fiber are easily wrinkled, and knitwear- are pulled out.

The abrasion resistance of cotton is relatively low, as a result of which products made from it have low wear.

Cotton fiber has good hygroscopicity, which gives the materials from them good hygienic properties. Cotton has the ability to quickly absorb moisture and quickly evaporate it, i.e. dries quickly. When immersed in water, the fibers swell and their strength increases by 10-20%.

Due to the presence of a channel open on one side and relatively thin walls, cotton has adsorption properties, which contributes to good dyeing.

When heated to a temperature of 150 ° C, cotton fibers practically do not change their properties; at temperatures above 150 °C, the process of slow and then rapid destruction of the fibers begins, accompanied by the decomposition of cellulose and, at a temperature of 250 °C, its carbonization. Cotton does not belong to combustible fibers, it easily ignites in a flame and continues to burn quickly after being removed from it with the formation of easily crumbling ash. When the fibers are burned, the smell of burnt paper is felt.

Under the action of light weather, the process of oxidation of cellulose with atmospheric oxygen is activated, which leads to a decrease in mechanical properties (strength, elongation), an increase in the stiffness and fragility of the fibers. As a result of exposure to sunlight for 940 hours, the strength of cotton is reduced by 50%.

Cotton fiber is resistant to alkalis, reducing agents, unstable to acids and oxidizing agents.

The natural color of cotton is white or cream, in some cases it can be beige or greenish. Cotton fibers do not have a sheen (matte), but after mercerization they acquire a significant sheen (silkyness). The fibers are soft and warm to the touch.

Cotton is used to produce products for various purposes - household (cotton wool, linen, shirt, dress and costume fabrics, lace, tulle, knitwear, etc.) and technical (artificial leather, tarpaulin, ropes, etc.) Down and downs of cotton used in the chemical industry as a raw material for the manufacture of artificial fibers and threads, films, varnishes. It is also used in explosives.

The textile industry has several directions in the manufacture various kinds materials, which are natural, artificial and synthetic. The largest share in the composition of manufactured products is cotton fabric. It refers to natural types of fabrics and is made from plant fibers.

History of distribution in Europe

No one can say the exact time of the beginning of the use of cotton for the manufacture of fabrics in human life. Cotton came to Europe with other curiosities, which were delivered by Arab trade caravans. And after its discovery by Columbus in the Bahamas at the end of the 15th century and at the beginning of the next century, cotton becomes one of the most popular raw materials for the production of matter. But it was handicraft production, which provided for the needs of only small factories. The manufacture of fabric in large volumes did not begin until 1730 after the invention of Ellie Whitney's cotton gin, which made it possible to replace the manual separation of the fibers with a mechanized one. This gave impetus to the very weaving production of such matter and an increase in the cultivation of crops in many countries. Cotton fabric supplemented and partially replaced wool and silk in everyday life of Europeans.

Properties of natural cotton fabrics

Modern industry produces such a variety of articles and types of similar matter that it can rightfully be called the most sought-after product available to the majority of the population. Cotton fabric in its properties has high hygroscopicity, hygiene and strength. Due to this, its use extends not only to the manufacture of clothing and household items - it is used for medical and technical purposes (gauze, bandages). The use of threads from only one natural fiber or a combination with synthetic or artificial ones gives the fabric an attractive appearance, expand the palette of shades and methods of applying patterns. Things made of cotton are comfortable to wear, pleasant in contact with the skin. In summer and winter, they let her breathe, keeping her body temperature warm. Although cotton fabric is easy to iron, it wrinkles quickly during wear. This disadvantage is eliminated by adding other fibers.

Types of weaving

There are several types and methods of joining threads in the production of materials. They are:

simple;

Complex;

Finely patterned;

Large-patterned.

Simple weaves, in turn, are divided into linen, twill, satin and satin. Depending on how the threads of the fabric are intertwined with each other, materials of various types are obtained in terms of quality, properties and scope. The linen connection has the same pattern from the front side and the wrong side. According to this principle, a thin cotton fabric is produced - cambric. The raw material for the manufacture of threads is fine-staple cotton. Satin and satin weaves are made using four weft threads and one warp thread. The twill fabric has thread directions from top to right, bottom to left. The weave is made at an angle, it gives the fabric greater softness in comparison with plain. The use of various types of weaving in a combined form allows you to create the necessary pattern on the surface of matter. Gabardine, thanks to the connection of the threads, looks like a striped cotton fabric, the veil is transparent, waffle or terry cloth are ideal for sewing towels. Thanks to cotton, we have the necessary, beautiful and useful things.