Fiber Fineness

Fineness is one of the three most important fiber characteristics. The fineness determines how many fibers are present in the cross-section of a yarn of given thickness. Additional fibers in the cross-section provide not only additional strength but also a better distribution in the yarn.

It influences-

1. Spinning limit: If fiber fineness increases, spinning limit will decrease.
2. Yarn strength: Yarn strength will decreases, if fiber fineness increases.
3. Yarn evenness: If fiber fineness increases, yarn evenness will increase.
4. Yarn fullness: If fiber fineness increases, yarn fullness will increase.
5. Drape of the fabric product: If drape increases, fiber fineness will increase.
6. Luster: Luster will decrease, if fiber fineness increases.
7. Handle: If fiber fineness increases, handle of the product will increase.
8. Productivity of the process: Productivity of the process will decrease, if fiber fineness increases.

Specification of fineness
As in the case of yarns, fineness is usually specified by the relation of mass to length. Where for synthetic fibers tex is used almost exclusively, the micronaire value is used worldwide for cotton. The fineness scale is as follows:

RANGE	GRADE
≤ 3.0	Very Fine
3.0 - 3.6	Fine
3.7- 4.7	Medium
4.8 - 5.4	Coarse
≥ 5.5	Very Coarse