International Journal on Textile Engineering and Processes, ISSN: 23953578, Vol 1, Issue 1, Jan2015 87 Application of Natural Fibres in Terry Towel Manufacturing M. Ramachandran MPSTME, SVKM’s NMIMS, Shirpur, Dhule, Maharashtra, India, 425405 Email: sweetestchandran@gmail.com Abstract Studies of woven fabric comfort properties have aroused the interest of researchers in recent years. Although studies on the structures of woven terry fabrics are rather limited, the study of the comfort properties these fabrics will reveal new approaches regarding the subject. Towels are the most used textile structures in water related usage of terry-woven fabrics. The users prefer that ready-made bathrobes and towels be comfortable and fresh, made of a light and soft structure, remain dry as they quickly transfer the water and sweat accumulated on the body, and be hygienic and naturally formed. Therefore comfort, an important property for the textile products, is also an important need for terry fabrics in water-related usage. However, the comfort properties of terry fabrics such as towels should be specific. The comfort parameters of air permeability, water vapour permeability, liquid transfer velocity, drying time, and water absorption will stand out in such products. Cotton Fibers Cotton fibres consist of the unicellular seed hairs of the bolls of the cotton plant, the Gossyum plant the chemical composition of typical cotton fiber is as follows: 94.0% of dry weight is cellulose, 1.3% is protein, 1.2% is pectic substance, 0.6% is wax, 1.2% is ash and 4% is other substances. Absorbency refers to a cotton fabric's ability to remove liquid water from the skin as in a towel. Cotton is hydrophilic; it wets easily, and can hold much more water than synthetic fibres can. Cotton releases a considerable amount of heat when absorbing moisture, but it dries slowly. It is not only the amount of water held that is most important, but the water held that is most important, but from the body. The size and distribution of the pores, and capillaries, between and within cotton fibres are uniquely suited for this purpose. Wet strength is one of the crucial properties required in towels, as they are most likely to remain wet as compared to other home textiles. Cotton is stable in water and its wet tenacity is higher than its dry tenacity. The toughness and initial modulus of cotton are lower compared to hemp fibres, whereas its flexibility and its elastic recovery are higher. Cotton is a natural fiber and considered hypoallergenic. This means cotton has a low tendency to cause allergic reactions. It also does not cause skin irritation and can be sterilized. The microbial resistance of cotton is low, but the fibres are highly resistant to moth and beetle damage. The microbial resistance can be improved by antimicrobial finishing. Cotton uses in the medical institutional area are well known for their hypoallergenic characteristic and sterilize- ability. Cotton fabrics are often recommended for persons having skin