Because natural fibers are beneficial to the environment, their uses have become more and more important in recent years. These days, natural fibers are frequently utilized as reinforcement in composites made of natural fibers that are partially or completely biodegradable.
The need to find new materials that are sustainable and do not hurt the environment is being driven by environmental awareness.
Palmyra palm fruit fiber could be a good source of natural fiber. In Bangladesh, the term “Taal” or “Asian palm” refers to the Asian palmyra palm.
Palmyra palm fruit fiber, also known as “toddy palm fiber” or “Borassus flabellifer fiber,” Palmyra palm fruit fiber refers to the fibrous material obtained from the husk or rind of the fruit of the Palmyra palm tree. It is a natural fiber that is coarse, robust, and long-lasting, and it has many uses.
Chemical Composition:
- Alpha-Cellulose: 53.4%
- Hemi-Cellulose: 29.6%
- Lignin: 17.3%
Physical Properties:
- Microniare Value= 7.58-7.68
- Moisture Regain= 14%
3.Breaking force of Ring yarn= 400.00 cN/tex
Rotor= 327.00 cN/tex
- Elongation= 34.8%
- Strength= 70.8 MPa
- Modolus= 10.8
Alkali treatment can increase the elongation, modulus, and strength. Reactive and basic dyes can both be used to color the fiber. It has a good rate of dye absorption. When greater strength is required, it can be used in place of synthetic fiber; for example, by combining it with cotton fiber to create fabric that is stronger and less expensive.
To extract, prepare, and manufacture useable fiber from the fruit husk, multiple stages are involved in the production of Palmyra palm fruit fiber. Here’s an overview of the manufacturing process:
★Harvesting: When palmyra palm fruits are fully ripe, they are harvested. In most cases, the palm tree’s clusters of fruits are harvested.
★Extraction of Outer Husk: In order to reach the fibrous substance within, the palm fruit’s outer husk must be removed. Manual labor or specialized tools can be used for this.
★Fiber Separation: The fiber must be separated from the unwanted pulp and seeds when the husk has been removed. This can be accomplished manually or with the use of machinery.
★Cleaning: The extracted fibers are cleaned to remove any dirt, dust, or impurities. This is often done by washing the fibers with water.
★Boiling: To soften and increase their flexibility, the washed fibers are boiled in water.Boiling helps in loosening the fibers and preparing them for further processing.
★Beating: To enhance flexibility and separate individual strands, the fibers are usually pounded or beaten after boiling. Both specialized equipment or manual labor can be used to complete this task.
★Drying: After that, the fibers are laid out to dry in the sun. In order to produce the fibers appropriate for a number of uses, it is essential that they be sun dried.
★Sorting and Grading: Once dried, the fibers are sorted and graded based on their quality and length. Specialized applications are usually the ones that utilize fibers of higher quality.
★Packaging: The fibers from the processed Palmyra palm fruit are packaged and ready to be distributed or processed further into different products.
End Uses: Palmyra palm fruit fiber has several end uses, including:
Rope & cordage: Because of its strength and durability, it is frequently twisted into ropes and cord.
- Brooms and brushes: The stiff fibers can be used to make brooms and brushes.
- Matting and weaving: Mats, baskets, and other woven goods are made from the fibers of the palmyra palm.
- Construction: It is utilized in some areas as a building material for walls and roofs thatch.
- Handicrafts: Craftsmen utilize it to make a variety of crafts and ornamental pieces.
- Conventional medicine: Due to the fiber’s purported health benefits, it is utilized in traditional medicine in several countries.
Fiber to Yarn:
Palmyra palm fruit fiber is long staple fiber. Processing of the fiber without blending with cotton is not possible using machinery designed particularly for processing cotton fiber. With both an open end or ring spinning frame, yarn can’t be spun exclusively from this fiber.
The yarn is generally applicable to non-woven, geotextiles, heavy fabric, fancy goods, and decorative applications.
At last, Palmyra Palm Fruit is a valuable natural resource in regions where the Palmyra palm tree grows, and it has a wide range of practical and cultural applications. Palm fiber is a useful substitute for synthetic fiber, which is known to severely pollute the environment. This fiber can be an important source of non-woven textiles where strength is crying needs. Through surface modification, the fiber can function independently without blending. The fiber can be used in geotextiles, as well as other textile reinforcement materials and a variety of value-added products.
