Methods of micronaire measurement and of preparing fiber samples for micronaire measurement

A method of determining a testing volume for a micronaire measurement by containing a fiber sample, within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall. A flow is initiated along the length of the micronaire chamber. The fiber sample is compressed within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall, and the advancement of the movable end wall is stopped when at least one property of the flow attains a set point. The position of the movable end wall defines the testing volume. In this manner, there is provided a convenient method of setting a testing volume and acquiring the information needed to take a micronaire measurement. Further on, methods of preparing a fiber sample for a micronaire measurement are provided, by forming the. fiber sample into a plug having a cross-sectional shape and size that are similar to a cross-sectional shape and size of a micronaire chamber in which the micronaire measurment is to be taken, before inserting the plug into the micronaire chambe