The effect of moisture imbibition on cellulosic bast fibres as industrial raw materials

Abstract

The moisture imbibition on four Cellulosic bast fibres, Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa), Okra (Hibiscus esculentus), Baobab (Adansonia digitata) and Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus), were investigated. The fibres were chemically purified by retting, scouring, bleaching and mercerizing. Thereafter, moisture sorption method was adopted. The moisture imbibition ranking of the fibres is in the order.  The materials were treated with 10, 15, 20 and 25% NaOH. The moisture imbibition for the treated materials were as follows: Roselle 20 > 25 > 10 > 15%; Okra 20 >15 >25>10%; Baobab 15 > 20 > 25 > 10% and Kenaf 20> 15 >10 >25%. These results suggest that the aforementioned fibres are viable industrial raw materials and have been a best alternative to inorganic/mineral - based reinforcing fibres.   Key words: Moisture imbibition, bast fibres, moisture sorption.