history of clothing material (2)
Bamboo stem fibers
Bamboo fibers are a type of natural cellulosic fiber derived from the bamboo plant. Bamboo fibers are known for their strength, durability, and natural resistance to pests, mold, and mildew. They are also considered eco-friendly because of their low impact on the environment.
What interests many people is the extraordinary softness and lightness of the bamboo fabric. This feels like silk because air flows through it, and it is very cool.
Bamboo fibers are used in apparel, bed sheets, towels, and upholstery. They are also used to make curtains, carpets, and wall hangings. Its moisture absorption rate is much higher than that of many other fabrics, such as cotton and viscose, which makes bamboo fabrics more antistatic than other fabrics.
As they grow so fast, they require less water and energy to produce than other fabrics. So, they don`t contain harmful chemicals or toxins. Bamboo has antibacterial properties that are not completely lost after being converted into fibers and fabric, so antibacterial agents won’t be needed in fabric. Therefore, these fibers prevent pathogen growth and eliminate unpleasant smells.
Fibers made from bamboo fiber pulp absorb moisture, are very soft, are less wrinkled, and are dyeable, so after dyeing they will have vivid colors. Furthermore, it is possible to combine it with other fibers, especially cotton, which makes towels and bodysuits very soft and transparent.
Bamboo stem fibers
While trees need years to grow, and not replacing them damages nature, bamboo grows very quickly. As a result, its resources are quickly replaced and are not harmful to the environment. To manufacture bamboo fabric, the bamboo plant is first ground into a paste, then beaten till thin fibers form, and finally spun.
Bamboo fibers look like cotton fibers before spinning. They are very light and fluffy and have an almost milky color. Of course, some factories bleach the fibers to white, but others prefer to use them in a completely organic and natural manner. So, they don`t change the color.
Banana tree stem fibers
Banana fiber is a lignocellulosic natural fiber with excellent strength. To create fabric, it can be easily combined with cotton or other synthetic fibers. Banana fiber is also used in making security-grade paper, such as banknotes, agricultural packaging materials, ship towing ropes, drilling cables, etc.
Plant fibers are made of cells with a heavy wooden cell wall and lumens (holes in the inner wall of a plant) that have a narrow cross-section. Fiber cells are dead at maturity and act as support tissue. Natural fibers have many advantages over synthetic fibers, such as low density, suitable hardness, and mechanical properties, as well as high repellency and renewable content. Also, they are recyclable and degradable.
Banana tree fibers are used for various purposes, such as textiles, paper, or handicrafts. The paper obtained from banana leaves is versatile because it is waterproof and more resistant than wood pulp paper. For this reason, it can be used in packaging and even as a base for building materials.
Jute: an old fiber in India and Pakistan
Jute is a cellulose stem fiber with the highest consumption rate. For the first time, it was transported from India to Europe. This plant is widely grown in India, Pakistan, and other tropical and humid nations. Commercial jute is available in yellow and brown with silk transparency.
This cloth is scratchy and lacks linen strength. Since jute is widely produced around the world, it is regarded as a relatively inexpensive fiber. Jute fibers are used in the production of bags and sacks for product transportation. Curtain textiles are made from fine jute fibers. Its residues can also be used to fill sofas and make paper.
Leaf fibers
Sisal
One of the most common leaf fibers is sisal. It has been cultivated for several years, and it is produced as a white fiber. These fibers are stiff and rigid and lack flexibility. Sisal’s properties and its dyeing process are very similar to those of cotton and linen. Sisal ropes play a very significant role in the transportation industry. Today, with the advancement of textile technology, it is used in some decorative fabrics and carpets, especially in women’s hats and bags.
Bag made with sisal leaf fibers
Pineapple leaf fibers
Pineapple is one of the most commonly commercially farmed fiber crops since both the fruits and the leaves yield textile fibers. It is a popular tropical plant in the bromeliad family. The pineapple plant, unlike most bromeliads, grows on the ground. This native plant thrives in the southern parts of Brazil and Paraguay. The pineapple quality used for fiber extraction differs from fruit quality.
Pineapple plants with large leaves used for textiles produce the highest-quality pineapple leaf fiber. Plant fibers are widely used today. Pineapple fiber`s most essential properties are its biodegradability and non-carcinogenicity, which have sparked interest due to its low cost.
The texture of pineapple leaf fiber is finer than other plant fibers. It contributes to climate and soil quality restoration by reducing soil erosion. It’s white, creamy, and gleaming, just like silk fibers. When pineapple leaves are wet, fiber bundle strength reduces.
There are approximately 40 leaves on a mature plant, each measuring one to three inches wide and two to five feet long. The average plant per acre is approximately 53,000 plants, capable of producing 96 tons of fresh leaves. One ton of fresh leaves can produce 25 kg of fiber on average; therefore, total fiber extraction per hectare can be around 2 tons.
Abaca leaf fiber
Abaca is a fibrous plant with long, narrow cells. Its long, narrow cells form part of the leaf support structure. Abaca’s lignin content is above 15%. It is a very valuable fiber because of its excellent strength and high resistance to salty water damage. Also, its fibers have a long length that reaches up to 3 meters. This fiber is shiny, light beige, and very strong.
Abaca Uses
Abaca was commonly used for shipbuilding in the nineteenth century. It is still used to manufacture rope, twine, fishing line, netting, and coarse fabrics for bags today. Although garments and curtains have a strong market, papermaking is now the primary use for these fibers.
The majority of abaca fibers are pulped and used to make special papers. It includes tea and coffee bags, sausage casing paper, currency notes (Japanese yen notes contain up to 30% abaca), cigarette filter paper, medical papers, food preparation, high-quality writing paper, vacuum bags, and more.
In the car’s body sections, Mercedes-Benz used thermoplastic polypropylene and thread. The use of natural fibers instead of glass fibers can lower the weight of automobile parts while also facilitating the production and recycling of environmentally friendly parts. As a result of its high mechanical properties and length, abaca fiber can be used in a variety of industrial applications, even under highly difficult conditions.
