3. Introduction:
Kenaf is a natural fiber which is a plant in the Malvaceae family.
Botanical name is Hibiscus cannabinu.
It is grown mainly for bast fiber in China (44%), India (39%), Indonesia,
Malaysia, Bangladesh, USA, South Africa, Thailand and parts of Africa.
Fiber: Two kinds, the long fibers are mainly in the thin bark (cortical layer),
whereas the short fibers are in the ligneous core, namely pith (short fiber).
4. Structure of Fiber:
The stalk of the Kenaf plant
consists of two distinct types of
fibers :
The outer fiber is called bast and
comprises roughly 40% of the stalk
dry weight.
Refine bast fiber measure 2.6mm
and are similar to the best
softwood fiber used to make
paper
White inner fiber is called core
and comprises 60% of the dry
weight.
6. Production, Processing and
Cultivation of Fiber:
It is sown from may to October. Growing quickly rising to a height
of 5-6 m in a 6 to 8 months.
Temperature need from 20 to 27 degree centigrade
7. Harvesting
Kenaf crop are both hand and machine harvested.
Fiber are usually separated from the stalk mechanically although retting
is still done by hand in some areas.
Plant are harvested for their stalk from which the fiber is extracted.
8. Retting of Kenaf fiber
The process by which the fiber got loosened and separated from the woody
stalk.
Jute and Kenaf fiber have almost same retting process.
9. Water Retting
Plant stem are immersed in water river ,ponds and tank.
It need 7 to 14 days.
11. Properties of Kenaf fiber
Fiber length: Kenaf fiber length is from 2.6 to 4mm.
Fiber diameter: diameter of Kenaf fiber is from 17 to 21.9 micron.
Density: 1.4 g/cm3.
Elongation: 1.6 %
12. Uses
Roping: it is use in making ropes.
Paper: it is use in paper production.
Use in coarse cloths.
It is used in automotive product.
Engineered wood, Insulation, Clothing-grade cloth
Soil-less potting mixes
Animal bedding, Packing material