This document analyzes the physical and chemical properties of four natural fibers: pineapple leaf fiber, linen fiber, banana fiber, and areca fiber. For each fiber, the document discusses the fiber's history, countries of cultivation, physical properties including length, color, tensile strength and elongation, and chemical properties including composition and reactions to various treatments. The fibers are then compared and some potential uses of each fiber are outlined.

1. Northern University Bangladesh(NUB)
Department Of Textile Engineering(BTX)
Assignment
Course title : Textile Raw Materials 1
Course Code: 1207
Submitted to :Engr. Md.Nasir Uddin
Assistant Professor
Department of Textile Engineering
Submitted by : Md.Jamilur Rahman Efaz (0566)
Golam Rabbi (0568)
Semester : Spring 2020
Date of Submission : 5 May 2020

2. Analysis Physical and Chemical properties of Pineapple leaf Fiber
Introduction: Natural fibre based composites are under intensive study due to their ecofriendly
nature and peculiar properties.Pineapple is perennial herbaceous plant with 1-2 m for height and width
belongs to family Bromeliaceae.Every year tonnes of pineapple leaf fibres are being produced, though
very small portions are being used in the field of feedstock and energy production. First sprout of leaf
looks decorative; later it converts into 3 ft. long, 2 to 3 inch wide sword shaped and numerous spirally
arranged fibrous leaves edges as well as curved towards the cross section to maintain the stiffness of
the leaf

3. Pineapple leaf fibre is more compatible natural fibre resource and constitutes a good chemical
composition. PALF has better mechanical strength than the jute when it is used in making of fine yarn.
History : Pineapple is a native plant of America, first seen by Columbus and his companion in
November 4, 1493, at an island of West Indies.The plant is called “pineapple” because of its fruit which
look like pine cone. The native Tupi word for the fruit was anana, meaning “excellent fruit;” this is the
source for words like ananas, common in many languages.The Portuguese contributed their important
role in introducing the fruit throughout the whole tropical regions and major parts of world like south
and east coast of Africa, Madagascar, south India, China, Java, Philippines, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Chemical properties of PALF:Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) [115]
standards reported that the chemical constituents and extractive like holocellulose, α-cellulose, lignin,

4. and ash content of PALF were analysed from different source of fibres, age of fibres, and climatic
conditions. In a transmission electron microscopy, PALF cell wall shows distinct different layers as
primary (P), secondary, and tertiary (S1, S2, and S3) layers. The chemical composition of PALF is depicted
in Table 6. Pineapple leaf fibres have many chemical constituents like α-cellulose, pentosans, lignin, fat
and wax, pectin, nitrogenous matter, ash content, degree of polymerization, crystallinity of α-cellulose,
and antioxidants [54, 117, 118]. PALF has a large quantity of -cellulose (81.27), low quantities of
hemicelluloses (12.31%), and lignin content (3.46%) [106]. PALF has higher cellulosic content as
compared to other natural fibres like oil palm frond, coir, and banana stem fibres [116]. The higher
quantity of cellulose in PALF supports the higher weight of the fruit [119]. The chemicals composition
fibre directly affects performance of fibres.
Physical properties of PALF :Reinforced natural fibres composite plays a huge share in
biocomposite and material science. PALF has been proved as a good substitute of synthetic fibres,
because of its economical and renewable nature.Strange characteristics of PALF are noticed; that is, a
wet PALF bundle exhibits lower strength by 50%, but when it converts into yarn, its strength increases
up to 13%.The PALF exhibits a modulus range from 34.5 to 82.51 GNm−2, tensile strength ranges from
413 to 1627 MNm−2, and an elongation at breakpoint ranges from 0.8 to 1.6%. PALF can sustain
abrasiveness.

5. Use of Pineapple leaf fiber :Pineapple leaf fibers (PALFs) can be utilized as fabrics for textile
materials and in the manufacture of yarns and handicrafts in many countries. The excellent mechanical
properties and environmentally sustainable characteristics exhibited by PALFs have triggered the
interest of researchers to use the material as a potential reinforcement in structural and non-structural
applications.

6. Analysis Physical and Chemical Properties of Linen fiber.
Introduction : Linen is a cellulosic textile fiber. It is collected from the flax plant. It is a natural fiber
and it is more valuable than the cotton fiber. It is a soft and cool fiber and it is light in weight for this
reason it is comfortable to wear. Its strength is more than cotton fiber and its value is about 2 or 3 times
than the cotton fiber. Linen fiber occupied second position after Rame in regards of strength. The fabric
which is produced by the linen fiber it is attractive and fashionable. To know about a fiber it is required
to know about the physical and chemical properties of the fiber. For this reason, I like to present the
physical and chemical properties of the linen fiber.
Linen fiber
Physical propertise of Linen fiber: Physical properties of linen fibers are given below:
Color: The color of linen fiber is yellowish to grey.
Length: 18 to 30 inch in length.

7. Tensile Strength: Linen is a strong fiber. It has a tenacity of 5.5 to 6.5 gm/den. The strength is greater
than cotton fiber.
Elongation at break: Linen does not stress easily. It has an elongation at break of 2.7 to 3.5 %.
Elastic Recovery: Linen fiber has not enough elastic recovery properties like cotton fiber.
Specific Gravity: Specific gravity of linen fiber is 1.50.
Moisture Regain (MR %): Standard moisture regain is 10 to 12%.
Effect of Heat: Linen has an excellent resistance to degradation by heat. It is less affected than cotton
fiber by the heat.
Effect of Sun Light: Linen fiber is not affected by the sun light as others fiber. It has enough ability to
protect sun light.
Resiliency: Very poor.
Lusture: It is brighter than cotton fiber and it is slightly silky.
Chemical Properties of Linen fiber: Linen is a natural cellulosic fiber and it has some chemical
properties. Chemical properties of the linen fiber are given below:
Effect of Acids: Linen fiber is damaged by highly densified acids but low dense acids does not affect if it is
wash instantly after application of acids.
Effects of Alkalis: Linen has an excellent resistance to alkalis. It does not affected by the strong alkalis.
Effects of Bleaching Agents: Cool chlorine and hypo-chlorine bleaching
agent does not affect the linen fiber properties.
Effect of Organic Solvent: Linen fiber has high resistance to normal cleaning solvents.
Effects of Insects: Linen fiber does not attacked by moth-grubs or beetles.
Effect of Micro Organism: Linen fiber is attacked by fungi and bacteria. Mildews will feed on linen fabric,
rotting and weakling the materials. Mildews and bacteria will flourish on linen under hot and humid
condition. They can be protected by impregnation with certain types of chemicals. Copper Nepthenate is
one of the chemical.
Dyes: It is not suitable to dye. But it can be dye by direct and vat dyes.
Uses of Linen fiber:Linen fiber is an oldest fiber and it is use to make different types of fabrics
which is used in various types of decorative purpose

8. Analysis Physical and Chemical properties of Banana fiber
Fiber History: The Banana family (Musaceae) is one of the plants which provide natural fiber. The
genus Musa belongs to the Musaceae, a family of monocotyledons. It contains between 60-80 species,
including the cultivated banana plant and several wild bananas. The Musaceae family of plants is one of
the most useful in the world. Musa sapientum, Musa textiles are a source of the papermaking and
cordage fiber abaca or manila hemp. The banana plant is ingenious to the Philippine Islands. Philippine
Island remain the chief source of the fiber. In Philippines, abaca is planted over an area estimated at
130,000 hectares.
Cultivate Countries: Philippines, Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and Costa Rica, Ecuador.
Bangladesh also cultivates a huge number of banana plants having all potential to become a major
producer of banana fiber.
Physical Propertise :

9. Length: 6 mm (1/4 inch)
Width: regular
Colour: off white, nearly black
Tencity: 29.98 g/denier
Fineness: 17.15
Moisture Regain: 13.00%
Elongation: 6.54
Aleo-ben Extractives: 1.70%
Density: 1.31-1.33
Flexural rigidity: 33-40
Chemical Properties:
The chemical composition of banana fiber is cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
Is better in terms of fineness and spinnability which include ring spinning open-end spinning, bast fiber
spinning, and semi-worsted spinning.
Highly strong fiber has smaller elongation and its weight is light.
It has strong moisture absorption quality.
It can be categorized as eco-friendly because it is bio-degradable and has no negative effect on
environment.
Fibers can be freed by boiling the strands of alkali.
Fiber is bleached and dyed as per other cellulose fiber.
Uses of Banana fiber: The fiber uses by making tea bags, vacuum bags, a casing of sausage, bank
notes, cigarette papers, high quality writing paper, ropes, bags , carpets, clothing, furniture and mats.
(Source textile today)
Analysis Physical and Chemical properties of Areca fiber
Introduction: Areca nut fiber materializes as a promising reinforcing material because of its easy
availability nontoxicants, biodegradability, cheap cost and environment friendly manner. The area nut

10. fiber contains Q-cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin matters. Area catechu trees are available in
the costal area of our country which produces huge leaf-sheath. It is an economical material, comparing
with low or high density polyethylene, it has a lower impact strength, but superior working temperature
and tensile strength.
Cultivate Countries : India, China and Indonesia are among major producer of area fiber. Other
smaller tropical countries such as Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Malaysia also contribute to the
global production of area fiber.
Physical Propertise:
Length: 18-38 mm
Diameter: 0.0285-0.89 mm
Density: 1.05-1.25 g/ cubic cm

11. Specific gravity: 1.25-1.50
Tenacity: 10.0 (g/Tex)
Breaking elongation: 30 %
Chemical Properties: Natural available filaments have become attractive. Low cost, fairly good
mechanical properties, non-abrasive and bio-degradability attributes, abused as a swap for the regular
fiber. Lower water absorption. The fiber mainly contains 66.08% of Q-cellulose, 19.59% of lignin, 7.40%
of hemicellulose.
Area fiber is composed of small units of cellulose surrounded and comented together by lignin and
hemicelluloses. Damaged by strong acid. Strong alkali degrades the strength. Resistant to organic
solvent. At high temperature it burns.
Uses of Areca fiber: Areca fiber is used in the interior design, construction industries, packaging,
furniture, housing, decking, window, door frames and automobiles sector. (Source ÷ medcraveonline)
Sources : http://textilefashionstudy.com/linen-fiber-physical-and-chemical-
properties-of-linen-fiber/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijps/2015/950567/
http://medcraveonline.com/
https://www.textiletoday.com.bd/
Comments : Pineapple leaf fiber, Linen fiber [Jamilur Rahman Efaz (0566)]
Banana fiber, Areca fiber [Golam Rabbi(0568)]