cellulose (C6H10O5)n
ChemistryCotton is specified as cellulose (C6H10O5)n. Density band ~1.54 g/cm³ fibre.
What holds Cotton together is not the nickname. Formula cellulose (C6H10O5)n, density ~1.54 g/cm³ fibre.
Meters are atlas-relative. Grades are the SKUs buyers write.
Phases
Microstructure
OrderProcessing sets grain, crystallinity or fibre orientation — the reason two lots of Cotton can test differently.
Interfaces
SurfacesCoatings, oxide films, sizings or paper faces often decide weather and fire behaviour more than the bulk brochure.
Defects
FlawsInclusions, voids, knots, pinholes or residual stress start the failures that mill certificates do not list.
Grades
VariantsCotton is a family. Grade names below are the ones buyers actually write on RFQs.
Ageing
TimeMoisture, UV, creep, hydrogen or carbonation shift properties in service. Design to the aged state.
Relative meters
Strength36
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope28
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour22
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation40
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability86
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity54
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
Upland
G. hirsutum commodity.G. hirsutum commodity.
Pima / ELS
Long staple luxury.Long staple luxury.
Organic
Certification, not a species.Certification, not a species.
Recycled cotton
Shoddy-like, shorter staple.Shoddy-like, shorter staple.
Mercerised
NaOH lustre and dye uptake.NaOH lustre and dye uptake.
Bonds
Primary bonding
Cotton holds together by covalent chain chemistry.
Secondary forces
Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals stacks or grain-boundary cohesion set toughness and moisture uptake.
Composites & fills
Fillers, fibres, plasticisers or aggregates are part of the real product, not impurities.
Environment film
Oxides, chars, sizings or paints are the layer the world actually meets.
Change the grade, the coating or the moisture and you have a different material with the same English name.
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