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Extraction, processing and utilization of Rambans (Agave Spp.) and malu (Bauhinia vahlii) fibers for industrial uses

KrishiKosh

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Title Extraction, processing and utilization of Rambans (Agave Spp.) and malu (Bauhinia vahlii) fibers for industrial uses
 
Creator Kholiya, Ruchi
 
Contributor Goel, Alka
 
Subject extraction, textile industry, Rambans, Agave, malu, Bauhinia vahlii, natural fibers, textile fibres, industrial applications
 
Description Thesis-PhD
Plant fiber can be termed as god’s one of the most precious gift to mankind. Today fiber yielding plants are regarded as most important crop after cereals. In fact, plant fibers are the raw material for many industries sustaining the economy of our nation. Unconventional fibrous plants are one of the largely neglected resources of the Uttarakhand. There was no available record regarding the total number of NGOs working on unconventional fibers in Uttarakhand therefore in order to assess the work being carried out on unconventional fibers in Uttarakhand, all the Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working on unconventional fibers were visited and information was collected by the researcher. It was found that most of the NGOs used rambans fibers followed by wool fibers. During the course of study it was noticed that majority of NGOs faced several problems regarding availability of raw materials, extraction of fibers, cost of raw material, fiber processing, problems during production of articles, lack of workers, lack of infrastructure, marketing of products and unavailability of proper extraction and processing tools. So to overcome these problems, three commonly available species of Agave in Uttarakhand (Agave cantala, Agave sisalana and Agave americana) and a soft fiber from the bark of the plant i.e. malu (Bauhinia vahlii) were extracted from eleven different retting methods (decortications or scraping, water retting, fungal retting, acid and alkali retting with different concentrations and durations). A series of experiments were conducted to soften the rambans fibers and to optimize the procedure for extraction and application of natural dye obtained from French marigold flowers on rambans fibers. After opening and carding malu-viscose rayon and rambans-viscose rayon fibers were blended thoroughly in three different ratios i.e. 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75. On the basis of satisfactory physical properties and aesthetic view, one woven sample of malu-viscose and one woven sample of rambans-viscose were prepared on Kumaoni handloom. These blended fabrics were than evaluated for different physical properties. The traditional technologies for harvesting and fiber processing were assessed by the investigator and intervention of improved technologies was done. Results of different extraction methods revealed that in case of malu fibers, alkali retted fibers had superior properties as compared to other methods. Results of different extraction methods on physical properties of three species of Agave indicates that Agave cantala fibers posses superior properties followed by Agave sisalana species. While Agave americana species posses inferior properties as compared to other two species. Out of these fibers, decorticated sisal (Agave sisalana) fibers were purposively taken for the present study due to easy availability. After visual evaluation of softened rambans fibers it was observed that fibers treated with 100% NaOH concentration were softer as compared to the rambans fibers obtained from other treatments. The optimum dyeing condition of rambans fibers were-aqueous extraction medium, 2 g concentration of dye, 75 minutes extraction time and 60 minutes of dyeing time. In case of mordants the selected concentrations were 3 g, 2 g, 0.05 g and 0.01 g of pomegranate rind, tea leaves, stannous chloride and ferrous sulphate respectively. After opening and carding malu-viscose rayon and rambans-viscose rayon fibers were blended thoroughly in three different ratios i.e. 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75. Single ply yarns of these blends were prepared on Bageshwari Charkha and evaluated for different physical properties. Results of yarn testing indicated that as the content of viscose rayon increases, breaking strength, tenacity, elongation per cent and yarn evenness of the respective blends also increases. Whereas yarn count reduced as the viscose content was increased in blends. Results of fabric testing revealed that fabric count, weight per unit area, thickness, abrasion loss, crease recovery angle and elongation at break were maximum in malu-viscose blended fabric, while bending length, flexural rigidity, overall flexural rigidity, and pilling resistance was maximum in case of rambans-viscose blended fabric as they were stiffer than malu-viscose blended fabric. Beside these, rambans-viscose blended fabric also showed higher drape coefficient, thermal conductivity, and breaking strength. A rambans (sisal) fabric reinforced phenolic composite was prepared by compression molding method. Tensile strength and tensile modulus of the rambans phenolic composite was 24.61 MPa and 207.77 GPa respectively, while flexural strength and flexural modulus of the rambans phenolic composite was 31.1 MPa and 104.55 GPa respectively. On the basis of respondents’ requirement a leaf cutter and a decorticator machine was designed by the investigator. Results indicated that ergonomically designed leaf cutter caused minimum physiological cost of work as compared to the traditional heavy weight leaf cutter. The line diagram of the improved decorticator machine was showed to the owners of the NGOs and workers; who expressed satisfaction over the new design and are willing to develop the improved decorticator machine in near future for their use. In view of the large scale unemployment in Uttarakhand and a need for empowerment of backward and tribal areas, village industries focusing on extraction and processing of natural fibers can generate enormous employment without much input. Therefore utilization of plant fibers for employment generation in rural sector will prove to be cost-effective and ecologically sustainable.
 
Date 2016-09-20T15:39:24Z
2016-09-20T15:39:24Z
2009-08
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/77774
 
Language en
 
Format application/pdf
 
Publisher G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)