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Three flocks were used to examine differences in fibre diameter profiles (FDPs) generated by Laserscan using 2mm snippet techniques compared to those measured using OFDA2000 on whole staples. OFDA2000 profiles were measured on both greasy and clean staples. The OFDA2000 produced mean fibre diameter measurements for the FDPs that were not significantly different and were highly correlated to those measured using the Laserscan and 2mm snippet technique (r= 0.97 to 0.93, Pc0.05). The measurements of variation in fibre diameter along and between fibres were more variable but were significantly correlated between FDP techniques (r=0.65 to 0.87, P<0.05). The correlations for the positions of the maximum and minimum fibre diameter points and rates of fibre diameter change within the FDPs were variable and not consistently significant between techniques (r=0.21 to 0.98). Environment did not significantly influence the differences between the measurements from each technique. The OFDA2000 is capable of measuring absolute fibre diameter values within the FDP, however, care needs to be applied before using the measurements of fibre diameter variation along and between the fibres within the staples. The method of grease factor correction utilised by OFDA2000 performs adequately. In both experiments the grease correction factor required was positively correlated with fibre diameter and significantly less towards the tip of the staple. |
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