A Short Overview of Jute Fiber

A Short Overview of Jute Fiber

Jebin Sultana Pranti
Textile engineering college, Zorargonj, Chittagong
Email: jebinsultana770@gmail.com

Abstract:
This article includes a small part of introduction on jute fibres. Thereafter a brief introduction was given on classification and physical and chemical structure and properties of jute fibre. Jute fiber is mainly composed off cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin besides some minor constituents. Effect of bleaching, effect of acid & alkali, oxidizing agent and reducing agent are also discussed along with its moisture absorption and dye absorption property. Advantages of jute fibers for various uses are highlighted and diversified uses of Jute in different application areas. After that a small part which about defects of jute fibre.

Keywords: Jute fiber; composition; physical and chemical properties; macro and micro structure, Application; defects, production

Introduction:
Natural Fiber refers to animals fibers (like silk and wool) and plants fibers (from stems, seed and leaves etc). This article will focus on Jute Fiber.

Jute is a soft and long natural and biodegradable fiber which may be turned into solid filaments. That can be spun into coarse, strong and threads. Jute is also one of the most cost-effective NFs after cotton. In addition, Jute fibres are eco-friendly. It is common name given to the fiber extracted from the stems of plants.[1]

Jute fiber obtained from stem bark or leaf of certain vegetables plants, so that jute is called bast fiber. Bast fiber including jute flax, Hemp, Ramie, kenaf etc have many properties making them good candidates for various industries.[2,3]

Jute fibres are classified by species is as follows:

a) Corchorus capsularis (white jute):
Corchorus capsularis, scientifically known as white jute , is a fiber crop valued for its strong and versatile fibers. They are known for their eco-friendly and biodegradable nature.

White jute fibres is widely cultivated in regions like India and Bangladesh. White jute fibers are used in various industries, including textiles, packaging, and construction.

b) Corchorus Olitorius (Tossa Jute):
Tossa jute is recognized for its longer and coarser fibers and it has a greenish to reddish-brown color. This species is also grown for jute production and the fibers are commonly used in various industries.

Chemical Composition, Structure and Morphology of Jute Fiber:
Jute fiber is commonly known as Lignocellulosic fiber. Jute fibre is mainly composed of 65% Cellulose a natural hemicellulose, pectin, protein natural wages, oil and cements (lignin).Generally differences of growth conditions can lead to variations in the geometry and composition of jute fibers from plant to plant. In a single plant, the composition of jute fiber can vary from fiber to fiber [4]. Normally a jute fiber contains around 59–63% of Cellulose, 22–26% of hemicellulose, 12–14% lignin, 0.4–0.8% of waxes, 0.2–0.5% of pectin, 0.6-1.2% of mineral matters and other constituents [5].

Macro-structure or Physical structure:
The fiber consists of bundles of cells with sharply defined polygonal outline. A group of about 5 to 15 ultimate cells cemented together laterally and thousands are longitudinally. The ultimate cells are spindle shaped. The cross-section of the ultimate cells is polygonal with rounded corners. Each ultimate cell has thick cell wall and lumen.[5]

Micro-Structure:
The Cell wall of each ultimate call is composed of an outer thin primary and inner thick secondary wall. Both the walls of ultimate cells are composed of ultra fine micro fibrils. In primary wall, the fibrils are lying in criss-cross manner. In secondary wall , the fibrils are arranged in a right handed in a right handed spiral with angle of organisation of 7-9°. [5]

Physical and Chemical Properties of Jute Fiber:

Physical properties of jute fiber:

1. The ultimate length of jute fibre is 2.5mm (Avg).
2. Diameter of jute is 18 micron.
3. The single fiber length is 0.2-30 inch.
4. The strength of jute is 1-4 gm/denier.
5. The elasticity of jute Jute fibers are very low.
6. Extension at break 2%.
7. Jute fiber’s specific gravity 1.48-1.5.
8. Moisture regain is 13.5%.
9. The colour of jute fibres are yellow, brown, golden.[6]

Chemical properties of jute fiber:

1. Effect of bleaching: No detrimental effect.
2. Effect of acid and alkali: It forms hydro-cellulose with strong acid and alkalis.
3. Resistance to sunlight & heat: Moderate
4. Resistance of organic solvent: Good Resistance to organic solvent.
5. Resistance to mildew: Better than cotton & linen.
6. Dyeability: Jute fiber has affinity to basic dye.[7]

Application of Jute Jiber (end use of jute):
Jute has versatile applications:

1. Packaging Material: bags and sacks for packing almost all kind of agricultural products, minerals, fertiliser, cement.
2. Paper Industry: Jute fibers are used in the production of paper, providing an eco-friendly alternative.
3. Textiles: In textile jute are mainly used for making bags, ropes, and textiles.
4. Furniture: Jute fibers are utilized in furniture manufacturing.
5. Fashion accessories: Jute fiber are incorporated into clothing and accessories.
6. Apparel: Jute fiber used for making rooting and floor covering apparel.
7. Wrapping materials: Jute fibers are used for this.

Defects of Jute Fibers:
The major defect of jute fibres are:

1. Rooty jute: The lower parts of jute fibers contain barks, contributing to a potential defect in jute quality due to the presence of this unwanted material.
2. Croppy jute: Due to improper rotting the top end of jute is black and hard.
3. Knotty jute: By insects bite or punctures the jute fiber contains knots in places.
4. Hunka: This type of jute fiber is hard and barky caused from non-removed hard bark of the fiber.
5. Dead fibers: Due to over rotting and storage moist condition the jute fiber lose its luster, color and strength.

The Diversification of Jute Fiber:
In terms of challenges faced by cheaper synthetic substitutes by diversifying jute products. Main areas of focus include jute hand looms, handicrafts, non-woven industrial applications, rigid packaging, decorative items, ornament products, and geo-jute. Various innovative products like home textiles, jute composites, geo-textiles, paper pulp, technical textiles, chemical products, handicrafts, and fashion accessories have been developed, expanding the traditional uses of jute into new and alternative markets. These diverse jute products are characterized by high value addition [9].

Production of Jute Fibers in the World:
The analysis of jute production in major countries, including Bangladesh, reveals notable trends. Bangladesh’s jute production area has shown fluctuations since 2000-01. Similar variations are observed in China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand. Among these, India stands out for consistently utilizing a larger land area for jute production. Despite fluctuations since 2008-09, both India and Bangladesh exhibit an overall increasing trend in their jute cultivation areas. In contrast, China, Myanmar, and Nepal have experienced significant decreases.

Table1: Jute production area of major jute producing Countries area (in thousand hectares)[10]

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization

Conclusion:
Jute is the second most important fiber in the world after cotton. It is most eco-friendly materials with various applications, from textile to packing. It is use for various fashion accessories. In the traditional applications in carpets, ropes, sacks, etc., jute fibers have been partially replaced by synthetic fibers which have some advantages compared to jute.

References:

1. Kiron, Mazharul Islam; Features, Characteristics and Application of Jute Fiber, https://textilelearner.net/features-properties-and-uses-of-jute-fiber/
2. Hongwei Song a, Jing Liu b, Kaiyu He c, Waqas Ahmad d A comprehensive overview of jute fiber reinforced cementitious composites https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509521002394
3. Malgorzata Zimniewska, Maria Wladyka-Przybylak, Jerzy Mankowski Cellulosic bast fibers, their structure and properties suitable for composite applications https://scholar.google.com/scholar
4. John Summerscales a, Nilmini P.J. Dissanayake a, Amandeep S. Virk a, Wayne Hall bA review of bast fibres and their composites. Part 1 – Fibres as reinforcementshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359835X10001685
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7. Gukendran Rangasamy a, Sambathkumar Mani a, Sasikumar Kondayampalayam Senathipathygoundar Kolandavelu a, Mohammad S. Alsoufi b, Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Ibrahim c, Suresh Muthusamy d, Hitesh Panchal e, Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni f, Ammar H. Elsheikh g An extensive analysis of mechanical, thermal and physical properties of jute fiber composites with different fiber orientations https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X21007759
8. Sweety Shahinur, Mahbub Hasan, Qumrul Ahsan, Julfikar Haider Effect of chemical treatment on thermal properties of jute fiber used in polymer composites https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&as_ylo=2020&q=jute+fiber+chemical+properties&oq=chem#d=gs_qabs&t=1709795998126&u=%23p%3DORdsC5aOWWUJ
9. https://textiletuition.blogspot.com/2015/08/characteristic-use-application-of-jute.html?m=1
10. http://www.worldjute.com/diversification/diversification_diver_fibre.html
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Guest Author

This article is written by a guest author and reviewed, revised and edited by Tariq Bin Mutalib, Editor in Chief, TextileFact.com.

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