Kenaf

                                       KENAF

Kenaf is one of the allied fibres of jute and shows similar characteristics.

In Africa kenaf has long been used as a source of fiber for making cordage and coarse fabrics.

Most of the world’s Kenaf is grown in India, Bangladesh and Thailand.

Botanical Information:-

The botanical name of Kenaf plant is Hibiscus.

                

                                    Kenaf                                                              

Production and Processing:-

The kenaf plant is an annual, with 12mm (1/2 in) diameter stalks that reach 3m (10 ft) in height. It grows well in the hot damp climate tropical countries.

The fibres in kenaf is found in the bast (bark) and core (wood). The bast constitute of 40 % of the plant.

 The methods used for harvesting and processing kenaf are similar to those used for jute. The stalks are retted and then beaten to free the fibre from unwanted material.

Structure and Properties:-

Kenaf is a pale-coloured fibre which contains less non-cellulosic material than jute. It has the lustre which is characteristic of many bast fibres.

Kenaf has a breaking strength similar, to that of low-grade jute, and it is weakened only slightly when wet.

The cells of kenaf are short, reaching only 6mm (1/4 in) in length. They are cylindrical and the surface is striated and irregular. The lumen varies greatly in thickness at different points in the cell, sometimes disappearing altogether.

                     

                              Dried Kenaf Stems

Seen in cross-section, the cell of kenaf fibre is polygonal and has a thick wall. It is coated with a layer of lignin. The fibre ends are thick and blunt(means Lacking sharp edges or point).

KENAF in USE:-

1-  Most of the kenaf produced at present is used for making ropes and twines.

2-  For coarse fabrics it is used for making canvas and sacking.

3-   Some of the better quality fibre is made into carpet mater.