This document provides information about various plant-based fibers including kenaf, piña, and milkweed. Kenaf is a 4000-year old crop originating from Africa that is tall and slender, resembling bamboo. It has good tensile strength and moisture absorption. Piña fiber is obtained from pineapple leaves and used commonly in the Philippines. It is soft, light-weight, and ivory or white in color. Milkweed fiber is a soft, buoyant floss used as fiberfill that is yellowish-white in color and degrades at high temperatures.

1. Fabric Knowledge
for Merchandisers
Chhavi | Roopas |Ritu

2. Scientifically known as Hibiscus
Cannabinus have commercial
applications
Tall and slender, resembling
bamboo or jute, and is related to
okra and cotton
This is a 4,000-year-old crop,
originating from Africa
About Kenaf Fibre
KENAF PLANT

3. Mechanical
The Fibre is 1.4 g/cm3
dense
Tensile Strength is 283-800
MPa
Moisture absorption rate is
0%
Flammable in nature
Properties

4. Durability
Degrades at high
temperature
The tensile strength
decreases when kept at 180
degrees Celsius for an hour
Hydrophilic in nature

5. Aesthetics
Pleasing, lightweight, and
have a soft feel
Most sustainable and ability
to replenish
Fibre cells are about 2–6 mm
long
Pale yellow in colour

6. About Piña
Fibre
Pina is also known as
pineapple fibre.
Obtained from the large
leaves of the pineapple
plant.
It is commonly used in
Philippines.
It is sometimes
combined with silk and
polyester to create a
textile fabric. Layered Piña cloth

7. Properties
Mechanical
 Pina fibre is 15.26 g/cm3.
 The strength of tensile is 170
Mpa.
 It is resistant to moisture .
 It’s specific strength is 110 Mpa.
Cross-Section of PALF

8. Aesthetics
 Soft and lustrous.
 Long and light weight .
 White or ivory in color.
 Similar in appearance to linen.
 Blends well with other fibres.
Extraction of Pina Fibre
Pineapple fibre yarn

9. Durability
 Highly susceptible to
acids.
 Elongation at break is
3 %.
 Strong and highly
resilient strands.
Cloth made from Pina

10. About Milkweed Fibre
Milkweed Plant
Cross-sectional view
 Soft, buoyant, lustrous floss is
yellowish white in colour.
 About 1 to 3 cm (0.375 to 1.12 inches)
in length and 20 to 50 microns (0.0008
to 0.002 inch) in diameter.
It is a natural seed fibre mostly
composed of Cellulose.
Used as fiberfill in comforters,
personal flotation devices and
upholstery.
(n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2016, from http://textilevaluechain.com/index.php/article/technical/item/268-futureistic-

11. Properties
Durability
 The alkali treatment of fibre results in a change of colour
from off-white to brownish yellow.
 Develops convolutions after alkali treatment.
 The bundle fibre strength and elongation of milkweed
fibres is lower due to the absence of convolutions or crimp
like structure.
 The moisture regain of milkweed fibres is higher than
cotton.
 The milkweed fibre elongation is lower and short fibre
percentage is higher compared to cotton.
 The raw milkweed fibres start degrading at around 180°C .

12. Aesthetics
 The milkweed fibres are finer,
less dense and yellowish in colour
when compared to cotton.
Lightweight, soft, hollow,
buoyant, poor aging resistance.
Stain-resistance, and easy wash
ability.
 It itself cannot be spun but can
be mixed with other fibres.
 It is fire-resistant due to the
high silica content of the fibre.

13. Comfort
It is a very shiny, slippery fibre with
poor clinging ability.
It has poor dye acceptation capacity.
Poor elasticity.

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