Properties and Uses of Jute Fibre

What is Jute Fibre?
Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is obtained from the stem of the jute plant, which is scientifically known as Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis. The fibre is mostly used to make burlap, hessian or gunny cloth, and sacks for transporting goods such as coffee beans, grain, and other agricultural products. Jute is also used to make other products such as carpets, rugs, and upholstery. It is a natural and sustainable resource, and it is often referred to as the “golden fibre” due to its golden brown color and its importance.

The jute plants are mostly grown in tropical and subtropical regions, with Bangladesh and India being the largest producers of jute. Jute fibre is also biodegradable and compostable, which makes it an environmentally friendly option.

Properties of Jute Fibre:
Properties of jute fibre is given in below table.

Parameter	Value
Fineness	2–3 dtex
Diameter	15–25 μm
Fibre length	650–750 mm
Density	1.44 g / cm3
Moisture regain	13.75%
Breaking strength	30–34 cN / tex
Elongation	2–8.2 %

Properties of jute fibre are categorized in three ways.

1. Physical properties
2. Chemical properties and
3. Mechanical properties.

A. Physical properties of jute fibre:
Jute fibre has several physical properties that make it useful in various applications:

1. Length: Jute fibres are long, usually between 1.5 to 4 meters, which makes them easy to handle and spin into yarn.
2. Softness: They are relatively soft to the touch, which makes them comfortable to handle and use in products such as carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
3. Coarseness: Jute are coarse in texture, which gives them strength and durability. This property makes them suitable for use in products that require strength and longevity, such as burlap and hessian cloth.
4. Shininess: Jute fibres have a natural shine, which gives them a distinctive appearance that is different from other natural fibres.
5. Lightweight: Jute are lightweight, which makes them easy to transport and handle.
6. Flexibility: Jute fibres are flexible, which makes them easy to weave or knit into various products.
7. Elasticity: Jute are moderately elastic, which makes them suitable for use in products that require some degree of stretch, such as twine and cordage.
8. Density: Jute fibres have a moderate density, which makes them suitable for use in products that require a balance of strength and softness, such as bags and packaging materials.
9. Color: Jute are typically brown, but can vary in color depending on the variety of jute plant and the conditions under which it is grown.
10. Texture: Jute fibres are smooth and silky in texture, making them suitable for use in a wide range of products, including textiles, industrial, and agricultural products.

B. Chemical properties of jute fibre:
Jute fibre has several chemical properties that make it useful in various applications:

1. Composition: Jute fibres are composed primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
2. pH: This fibres have a neutral pH, which makes them resistant to acidic and alkaline environments.
3. Solubility: Jute fibres are not very soluble in common solvents, which makes them resistant to chemical attacks and makes them suitable for use in products that are exposed to chemicals, such as industrial packaging materials.
4. Biodegradability: Jute are biodegradable, which makes them environmentally friendly and suitable for use in products that are intended for disposal, such as burlap bags.
5. Biocompatibility: Jute has good biocompatibility, which means they are not toxic to living organisms and can be used in products that come into contact with living organisms, such as medical sutures.
6. Absorbency: Jute has moderate absorbency, which means they can absorb water and other liquids to a certain extent, which can be useful in products such as cleaning cloths, and oil absorbent mats.
7. Flame retardancy: Jute f are not naturally flame-retardant, but they can be chemically treated to make them flame-retardant.
8. UV stability: They are not naturally UV stable, but they can be chemically treated or coated to increase their UV stability.
9. Hygroscopicity: Jute fibres are hygroscopic, which means they can absorb moisture from the air. This property can make them suitable for use in products that require moisture control, such as packaging materials.
10. Durability: Jute is relatively durable and can withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight and moisture, which makes them suitable for use in outdoor products such as garden furniture and landscape fabrics.

C. Mechanical properties of jute fibre:
Jute fibre has several mechanical properties that make it useful in various applications:

1. Tensile strength: Jute fibres have a moderate tensile strength, which makes them suitable for use in products that require a balance of strength and flexibility, such as twine and cordage.
2. Elastic modulus: Jute have a moderate elastic modulus, which means they can stretch to a certain extent without breaking. This property makes them suitable for use in products that require some degree of stretch, such as twine and cordage.
3. Young’s modulus: Jute fibres have a relatively low Young’s modulus, which means they are relatively flexible and can bend easily.
4. Elongation at break: Elongation at break is moderate, which means they can stretch to a certain extent before breaking.
5. Toughness: Moderate toughness, which makes them suitable for use in products that require a balance of strength and flexibility, such as twine and cordage.
6. Stiffness: Jute fibres have a moderate stiffness, which makes them suitable for use in products that require a balance of strength and flexibility, such as twine and cordage.
7. Compression strength: Jute have a relatively low compression strength, which means they are not suitable for use in products that require high compression resistance, such as structural materials
8. Impact strength: Jute fibres have a relatively low impact strength, which means they are not suitable for use in products that are subject to high impact forces, such as automotive parts.
9. Hardness: Relatively low hardness, which means they are not suitable for use in products that require high abrasion resistance, such as industrial belts.
10. Shear strength: Jute fibres have a relatively low shear strength, which means they are not suitable for use in products that require high shear resistance, such as gears and bearings.

Uses / Application of Jute Fibre:
Jute fibre is a versatile natural fibre that has a wide range of uses in various industries. Some of the main uses of jute fibre include:

a) Textiles: Jute fibres are often used to make fabrics for clothing, home furnishings, and other textile products.

b) Packaging: Jute are used to make bags, sacks, and other packaging materials, which are used for the transportation of goods such as food grains, fertilizers, and various other industrial products.

c) Agriculture: Jute fibres are used to make twine and cordage for agricultural purposes, such as tying up plants, bailing hay, and other farm tasks.

d) Construction: Jute are used to make building materials such as insulation, flooring, and roofing.

e) Automotive: Jute fibres are used to make non-woven mats, door trims and other interior parts of cars.

f) Medical: Jute are used to make surgical dressings, bandages and other medical products.

g) Geotextiles: Jute fibres are used to make erosion control mats, sediment control fabrics, and other geotextile products.

h) Composite materials: Jute are being used as reinforcement for composite materials such as plastic, concrete, and other building materials.

i) Furniture: Jute are used to make furniture, such as sofas, chairs, and tables.

j) Handicrafts: Thes fibres are used to make a wide variety of handicrafts, such as baskets, rugs, and other decorative items.

k) Environmental purpose: Jute fibres are also used in environmental protection, such as erosion control, river bank protection and slope stabilization.

l) Pharmaceutical Industry: Jute are used to make capsules and other pharmaceutical products.

m) Carpet Industry: Jute fibres are used to make carpets, rugs, and mats.

n) Paper Industry: Jute are used to make paper and paperboard products.

References:

1. Advances in Jute Research By Dr. N. Gokarneshan, M. Maanvizhi and U. Dhatchayani
2. Bast and Other Plant Fibres Edited by Robert R Franck
3. Textile Engineering – An Introduction Edited by Yasir Nawab
4. Handbook of Natural Fibres, Volume 1: Types, Properties and Factors Affecting Breeding and Cultivation Edited by Ryszard M. Kozłowski
5. Agro Textiles and Its Applications by Grace Annapoorani

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