CHARACTERIZATION OF KENAF FIBER-BUNDLES AND THEIR NONWOVEN MATS

Kenaf fibers are coarse, brittle, and difficult to process through tex tile and nonwoven equipment. The ''kenaf fibers'' of commerce are real ly bundles of dozens of ultimate fiber cells attached by natural bindi ng agents to form macro fibrous composites. Treatment of kenaf fiber b undles with sodium hydroxide or oil in water emulsions helped diminish their natural stiffness. Fiber bundle strength and bending stiffness were determined. A software program was developed to determined fiber dimensions. Both treatments improved fineness, pliability, and flexibi lity. Nonwoven composite mats of 85/15 kenaf/polypropylene were made b y air-laid batt formation followed by needle punching or by needle pun ching plus thermal bonding. Evaluation of the mats showed that alkali treatment improved mat strength and flexibility. Emulsion treatment on ly improved flexibility.