Introduction
Fibers are thread-like materials. Plant fibers are those fibers which we get from plants. These are also known as natural fibers as we get these fibers naturally from plants. Cotton, jute, flax etc. are examples of natural fibres or plant fibres. Those fibers which we get from animals are also known as natural fibers such as wool. Manmade fibers are called synthetic fibers. Nylon, Rayon, Polyester etc. are few examples of Synthetic Fibers.
Types of Plant Fibers
Plant fibers can be mainly divided into following three types –
Seed Fibres
Bast Fibres
Hard Fibres
We get plant fibers from plants such as from jute plants we get jute fiber and we obtain cotton fiber from cotton plants etc. Have you seen golden-colored fiber which resembles golden thread? Do you know where we get that? Yeah! We get that golden fiber from the jute plant. Jute fiber is also known as golden fiber. Let’s discuss plant fibers in detail.
Seed Fibres
These plant fibers we get from the seeds of the plants. Examples – cotton, kapok etc.
Bast Fibres
Bast is the outer covering of stem in plants. These plant fibers are collected from the inner bark or blast of plants. Examples – jute, flax, hemp etc.
Hard Fibers
These plant fibers are collected from the leaves of the plants. Examples – coir from a hard shell of coconuts.
Apart from these parts of plants, we get plant fibers from grass, wood, etc.
What is Plant Fiber?
Fibers are thread-like materials. Plant fibers are those fibers that we get from plants. These are also known as natural fibers as we get these fibers naturally from plants. Cotton, jute, flax etc. are examples of natural fibers or plant fibers. Those fibers which we get from animals are also known as natural fibers such as wool.
Manmade fibers are called synthetic fibers. Nylon, Rayon, Polyester etc. are few examples of Synthetic Fibers.
List of Plant Fibers
Here we are describing some common plant fibers with their uses –
Jute Fiber
Jute fibers are bast fibers. We get jute fibers from the stem of jute plants. It is a long, shiny and soft fiber. It is stronger than fibers such as cotton. It is one of the most affordable fibers. It is used in the twine, rope, bags, doormats etc.
Cotton Fiber
Cotton fibers are seed fibers. We get cotton fiber from the seeds of plants. It is soft, fluffy fiber. It is a very good absorbent. We have been using cotton fibers since ancient times. It is found in South Asia, America, Arabia, Iran, China and India etc. It is used in numerous fields in various ways. It is used in bath towels, textile industry, pharma industry etc.
Flax Fiber
Like jute fibre it is also a bast fiber. It is generally cultivated in cooler regions of the world. These fibers are also 2-3times stronger than cotton fibers. It is naturally smooth and straight. It is used in the textile industry, to make high quality papers, surgical threads etc.
Hemp Fiber
Like jute and flax fiber, it is also a bast fiber. It is used to make rope, shoes, food paper, bioplastics, biofuel etc. it can be used for animal bedding and garden mulch as well.
Coir
It is also a seed fiber like cotton fiber. We get it from coconut. It is also a natural fiber. Bristle coir is the longest coir fiber. It is also known as coconut cotton. It is used in making doormats, brushes, mattresses, packaging, bedding and flooring. It has uses in agriculture and horticulture as well.
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Different Types of Fibres
Nature is vast and resourceful and humans have availed the opportunity to acquire them. There are various types of fibres that can be acquired from plants. Some of them are listed below.
Cotton Fiber: Cotton fibre is obtained from cotton plants. These plants grow in places where there is black soil and a warm climate. It is after maturing that the cotton plant fruits burst open and the seeds are obtained.
Jute Fibre: Jute fibre is obtained from the stem of the jute plant. It is cultivated during rainy seasons. The process of harvesting the jute plants is known as retting. The plant's stems are then submerged in water for a couple of days. Then fibres are separated by hand through a method called stripping.
Coconut Fibre: The fibre that is obtained from coconut is coconut fibre. It is also known as coir. It is obtained from the outer shell of the coconut. Linen fibre: Linen fiber is obtained from the stems of a flax plant. It is used in the production of ropes, tablecloths, chair covers, napkins, bags, aprons and also high-quality paper. It is found in subtropical regions of the world, but it is almost exclusively found in North Dakota and Minnesota. Flax fiber varies from 10 to 100 centimeters in length. The fiber is soft to touch, flexible, and gives a shiny look.
Kapok: It is also called silk cotton. Kapok is another type of plant fiber. It is cultivated to obtain silk cotton fiber from it. It looks like cotton and is derived from the kapok tree after the fruit ripens and bursts open. It is light, fluffy and water repellant. This is the reason this fiber is used in thermal and sound insulation along with filling in thick mattresses and life jackets.
FAQs on Plant Fibers - Jute and Cotton
1. What are the main points to remember about plant fibres?
Plant fibres are a type of natural fibres that - as the name suggests - are extracted from plants. There are several long processes done both manual and machinery to refine the fibre and finally make it into a fabric. There are many purposes and uses of the fibres that are made. Plant fibres are made depending on the location where the plant is harvested, for example, jute grows only in the rainy season and in the eastern and northeastern states of India.
2. What are the names of several other plant fibres?
Although not used as often and in high measures, there are several plants in the wildlife which can be used to make fibres from. Flax plant, hemp plant, jute pant, kenaf plant, ramie plant, roselle plant, sann hemp plant, Urena plant, abaca plant, agave cantala plant, a henequen plant, maguey plant, sisal plant, bagasse plant, bamboo tree, bombax cotton tree, coconut tree (coir), cotton plant, floss silk tree kapok tree, phormium plant, and many more. These are some of the plants out of which fibre is made.
3. How do I make notes regarding plant fibres?
Since plant fibres is a concise chapter that deals with the types and uses of the fibres, note-making can be easy. A tip that can be very useful for students if they follow is to try writing down the most important words. Marking keywords is one of the smartest tricks while studying. This is effective when studying because the information gets retained in small chunks rather than large and heavy forms, helping the brain keep fresh information. This leads to writing examinations confidently.
4. What is the process of making fibre?
Firstly, the material is extracted from the plants and is washed thoroughly at the temperature that suits. Then they are scoured, a process where dirt is removed from the fibre. Then the fibre goes through a conveyor that separates and prepares the fibre for further process. The fibre is then air blown to make the texture softer. Then the fibre is carded, separated individually and then aligned together. They are then combed for better alignment. Further, they are weaved and then sewn.
5. What is coconut fiber?
Coconut fiber, or coir, is brown in color and coarse to touch. Coconuts are soaked in water for a few months to separate the husk from the nut. The fiber is obtained by beating the husk with wooden mallets, and when the fiber is obtained, it is then spun and dyed for further uses. Kerala is a major manufacturer of coir and coir products. Coir is resistant to water and tough in nature. It is used for making doormats, coir ropes, brushes, mattresses, and many other decorative items.