HUEC 2040 Chapter : Chapter 4 Natural Cellulosic Fibers
Document Summary
Classified by portion of plant from which removed. Seed fibers: cotton, coir (coconut), kapok, milkweed. Bast fibers: flax, hemp, jute, ramie, kenaf, hibiscus, nettle, bamboo. Leaf fibers: abaca, pina, sisal, henequen. Percentage, orientation, and degree of polymerization varies by fiber. Sensitive to mineral acids, resistant to alkalis. Resistant to some insect: damage by other and mildew/mold. Flammable: burns easily, fluffy ash resdue. Moderate resistance to sunlight: yellow extended exposure. Short, staple gibers 3/8 asiatic species. Intermediate-staple fibers 13/16 1-1/4 american upland. Long staple fibers 1. 5 2. 5 egyptian, pima. Cuticle: wax-like film covers outer wall. Secondary cell wall: layers of cellulous. Done by hand or machine: relates to fiber quality and character. Quality: length, strength, fineness, convultions, maturity, color, absence of trash and dirt, gm good middling - gm1, bg below grade bg8. Hydroxyl units: react redily with moisture, dyes, finishes. Sensitive to damage by bleaches and acids. Modified with chemical finishes: mercerization, sodium hydroxide treatment.
