Cotton Fiber and its classification

What is cotton fiber?

Cotton is cellulose base soft staple fibre which is most used natural textile fiber.

  • Cotton derives from the Arabic (al) qutn طنقُ
  • Cotton fiber is called "King of Fibers"
  • Cotton has been cultivated for more than 5000 years.

Cotton Fiber
Cotton Fiber

Classification of Cotton Fiber (Botanical)

    1. Gossypium Hirsutam 
            Native to central America, Mexico, Upland cotton,West Indies
    2. Gossypium Barbadense
            Peru, Egypt, Pima cotton, native to tropical south america
    3. Gossypium Arboreum
            Tree cotton, native to India and Pakistan 
    4. Gossypium Herbaceum
            Levant cotton, native to Southern Africa and Arabian Peninsula.

Classification of Cotton Fiber (Length)

Classification of Cotton Fiber (Length)

Classification of Cotton Fiber (Commercial)

  1.    Sea Island Cotton 

The staple length of Sea Island cotton fiber is around 5 cm or more. It is a long; fine; soft and silky fibre. This type of cotton color is light creamy tint. It comes originally from Barbados. This cotton is grown in Florida, USA.

2.    Egyptian Cotton

The staple length of Egyptian cotton fiber is in between 3.7 to 4.5 cm. It is long, fine, soft and silky like sea island cotton. This cotton is grown in Egypt and Middle East countries. 

3.    American Cotton 

The staple length of American cotton fiber is in between 2.5 to 3.5 cm. It is medium quality cotton. This cotton is grown in the USA and south of North America. 

4.    Indian Cotton 

The staple length of Indian cotton fiber is in between 2-3 cm. It is poor quality cotton with lower staple and coarser diameter. This cotton is grown in India and Pakistan.

5.    China Cotton 

The staple length of China cotton fiber is in between 1.5-2 cm. It is poorest quality cotton and not use able for good quality fabric. This cotton is grown in China only.