The Surface of Cotton Fibers

The location of soiling agents such as colloidal and activated carbon, floor soil. a syn thetic soil, and a clay on gray and modified plain weave cotton fabrics soiled under con trolled conditions was determined by light and electron microscopical examination. Cross and fine geometry of fabric and fiber play a major role in determining the dis tribution of soil in most cases. The mechanical entrapment of soil particles and ag glomerates between fibers near the surface of the fabric is repeated in the accumulation of soil in the natural or induced irregularities of the native and modified fiber surface. The presence of soft films on the fiber surface extends the quantity of soil and its dis tribution. Sorption of the soil particles on apparently smooth areas of the fiber also occurs to a significant extent.