Evaluate Cotton Fiber Maturity How to Evaluate Cotton Fiber Maturity Using Caustic Soda Swelling questionsoftextileblog know textile Category: Textile Testing & Quality Control The Caustic Soda Swelling method is a fundamental laboratory test used to determine the maturity of cotton fibers. Unlike simple length or strength tests, this method strictly evaluates the development of the fiber's cell wall structure. What is Maturity? Cotton maturity refers to the degree of cell wall thickening relative to the fiber's diameter. Mature fibers have thick cell walls and are excellent for dyeing and spinning. Immature fibers have thin walls, leading to neps (knots) and dyeing defects. The Principle When cotton fibers are treated with an 18% solution of Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide - NaOH) , they swell significantly. Mature fibers: The thick cellulose wall swells enough to...