Kenaf bast fiber treatment for nonwoven fabrics

Abstract

Kenaf fiber has been traditionally used in the cordage, sack, pulp and paper industries, but few commercial attempt has ever been made to utilize its potential as a major biodegradable raw material for nonwoven manufacture because of coarseness and stiffness of the fiber bundles. In this study, NaOH and softeners were used to refine the fibers. The chemical components of the treated fibers and the physical properties of the nonwoven fabrics made by water-jet from the treated kenaf fibers blended with rayon were examined. Results confirmed that alkali treatment (1st treatment) was effective to remove impurities, but the treated fiber was still too coarse to pass a carding machine. Softener treatment (2nd treatment) under neutral condition was effective to get finer fiber with nearly no negative influence on the strength of the fiber. So that, it might be a practical way to get refined fiber for nonwoven process.