A preliminary study of kenaf fiber bundles and their composite cells

Only the bark of the kenaf stalk is fibrous. It has fiber bundles bound by lignin and other natural binders. The fiber bundles have single kenaf fibers of varying lengths and widths. Fiber dimensions are critical for textile preparation, nonwoven processing and pulp and papermaking. This study examined the characteristics of single kenaf fibers by treating bundles with a mixture of glacial acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Examining the structure of kenaf bundles and individual fibers by light and by scanning electron microscopy provided an average length for a single fiber of 2.72 mm and an average width of 12.5 microns. Application : determination of the ideal length of kenaf fibers will allow breeders to grow material for specific uses.