About Kapok Fiber
>> Jumat, 18 Januari 2013
Kapok fiber is one of the natural cellulostic fibers which grow
on the kapok plant. It has a hollow body and a sealed tail, which are
desirable features of candidates for functional textiles of this
nature. However, the low volume weight of kapok is (specific density
0.29g/cm3), and the short length and smooth surface of the fibers,
causing poor inter-fiber cohesion, have prevented kapok from being
processed by modern spinning machines.
Kapok are silky fibers that clothe the seeds of the ceiba tree of the
family Bombacaseae. Kapok fibers have rich oiliness and do not have
high strength and, therefore cannot be spun economically. It is
conventionally used as a stuffing, especially for life preservers,
bedding, and upholstery, and for insulation against sound and heat.
The
Kapok fiber has a hollow structure with external radius around 8.25
(±4) _m, internal diameter around 7.25 (±4) _m, and length around 25
(±5) mm. Combined with the specific material density of 1.3 g/cm3 ,
large pore volume in Kapok assembly is available for NAPL sorption.
Typical analyses indicate that the Kapok fibers comprise 64% cellulose,
13% lignin and 23% pentosan. Besides these constituents, they also
contain wax cutin on the fiber surface which makes them water repellent
not with standing they are preponderantly composed of cellulose.
Kapok
finds use in bedding and upholstery industries, in the production of
life-saving equipment, and in the construction of thermally insulated
and soundproof covers and walls. On account of its buoyancy, freedom
from water-logging and weight-bearing capacity, it is the material par
excellence for the manufacture of lifebuoys and belts, waistcoats and
other naval life-saving appliances. The buoyancy of kapok is about five
times as great as that of cork and about three times that of reindeer
hair. During the war, kapok was employed for insulating tanks, for
lining aviation suits, for filling floats of army assault-bridges, and
generally for replacing cork wherever lightness, moisture-resistance
and floating power were needed.
The kapok fiber once used
in floatation vests and has been used as building insulation has a
hollow fiber and looks like glass fiber under the microscope. The
hollow fiber has air inside allowing combustion deep inside the
material. Smoldering fire and open flame travel quickly within the
material.
- The Kapok tree is a deciduous tree that can be found in the forests of Asia and Middle America.
- It grows up to 70m and it has capsular fruits, which are picked and opened by hand.
- The fibers of the fruits are air-dried and not treated with chemicals.
- Kapok is a natural fiber that is completely biodegradable.
- The natural bitter constituents of the Kapok fiber are anti-bacterial and anti-microbial therefore
- Moths, mites and other microorganisms cannot infest the toy.
