Structure, Properties and Uses of Jute Fiber

What is Jute Fiber?

Jute fiber is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It’s one of the most affordable natural fibers and is second only to cotton in terms of the quantity produced and variety of uses. Jute is primarily grown in tropical countries, with India and Bangladesh being the largest producers. Below is an overview of the properties, processing, and uses of jute fiber.

Physical Characteristics or Properties of Jute Fiber:

Fine Structure and Appearance:

Commercial jute varies from yellow to brown to dirty grey in color, and it has a natural silky luster. It consists of bundles of individual fibers held together by gummy materials, including the natural plastic lignin which plays an important role in the structure of all woody plants.

Jute usually feels coarse and rough to the touch, although the best qualities are smooth and soft. Retting destroys the cellular tissue that holds the bast bundles together but does not normally separate the individual cells one from another. Some of the fiber ends become detached from the strands, giving the jute its hairy, rough feel.

Jute Fiber
Fig: Jute Fiber

The individual cells of jute are about 2.6mm long, on average. The cell surface is smooth but disfigured here and there by nodes and cross markings. The fibers are coated with a layer of woody material.

Seen in cross section, the cell is polygonal, usually with five or six sides. It has thick walls and a broad lumen of oval cross section. By contrast with the regular lumen of flax that of jute is irregular. It becomes narrow in places quite suddenly. Towards the ends of the cell which are tapered the lumen widens the cell walls become correspondingly thin. Jute contains about 20 per cent of lignin.

Tensile Strength:

Jute is not so strong as flax or hemp nor is it so durable. Individual fibers vary greatly in strength owing to the irregularities in the thickness of cell walls.

Elongation:

Jute fibers do not stretch to any appreciable extent. Jute has an elongation at break of about 1.7 per cent.

Elastic Properties:

Jute tends to be a stiff fiber owing to the part played by the material which cements the cells together.

Specific Gravity:

Specific gravity of jute is 1.5.

Effects of Moisture:

Jute is an unusually hygroscopic fiber. Its regain figure is 13.76%. it can be absorbed as much as 23% of water under humid conditions.

Effect of Age:

It kept dry; jute will last indefinitely although the high content of non-cellulosic matter tends to make it sensitive to chemical and photochemical attack. Moisture encourages deterioration of jute which loses strength with age.

Micro-organisms:

Jute is more resistant to rot than either grey cotton or flax. If lightly scoured, it can have an excellent resistance owing to the protective effect of the lignin.

Other Properties of Jute Fiber:

1. High Strength:

  • Durability: Jute is a strong fiber with high tensile strength, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications like sacks and ropes.

2. Biodegradability:

  • Eco-Friendly: Jute is 100% biodegradable and recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibers.

3. Absorbency:

  • Moisture Retention: Jute has good moisture absorption properties, which makes it ideal for products like bags and rugs.

4. Thermal and Acoustic Insulation:

  • Insulating Properties: Jute provides effective thermal and acoustic insulation, making it useful in various industrial applications.

5. Anti-Static Properties:

  • Static Resistance: Jute fibers do not accumulate static electricity, which is beneficial for certain textile and industrial applications.

6. Low Cost:

  • Affordability: Jute is one of the cheapest natural fibers available, which contributes to its widespread use in various industries.

7. Low Elasticity:

  • Stiffness: Jute fibers are less elastic compared to other natural fibers like cotton, which makes them ideal for products that need to retain their shape.

Uses of Jute Fiber:

1. Apparel and Fashion:

  • Sustainable Clothing: While not as common as cotton or wool, jute is used in sustainable fashion for creating eco-friendly garments and accessories.

2. Home Textiles:

  • Rugs and Carpets: Jute is widely used in the production of rugs, carpets, and mats due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
  • Curtains and Upholstery: Jute fabrics are used in home decor for items like curtains, cushion covers, and upholstery.

3. Packaging:

  • Sacks and Bags: Jute is traditionally used for making sacks and bags for agricultural products like grains, potatoes, and coffee beans. It is also used in reusable shopping bags as a sustainable alternative to plastic.

4. Industrial Applications:

  • Geotextiles: Jute geotextiles are used in erosion control, soil stabilization, and road construction. The biodegradable nature of jute makes it ideal for temporary applications that do not harm the environment.
  • Ropes and Twine: Jute is used to make ropes, twines, and cords due to its strength and durability.

5. Composite Materials:

  • Jute Composites: Jute fibers are increasingly used in composites for automotive parts, furniture, and construction materials as a substitute for synthetic fibers.

6. Paper and Pulp Industry:

  • Paper Production: Jute is used in the production of paper, particularly for making high-quality paper and newsprint.

7. Agriculture:

  • Agricultural Uses: Jute fibers are used to make products like seed bags, soil savers, and plant pots due to their biodegradable properties.

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