Kenaf

Kenaf is a form of hibiscus, and is similar to jute or hemp in that it has a pithy stem surrounded by fibres. The fibres make up 20-25% of the dry weight of the plant [10]. Kenaf grows well in warm climates and does not have the narcotic effect found in the non-fibrous parts of the hemp plant. Mature kenaf plants can be 5 m high. 

Historically, kenaf fibre was first used as cordage. Industry is now exploring the use of kenaf in papermaking and non-woven textiles. Like jute, most kenaf composite products exploit the long aspect ratio of kenaf fibres and fibre bundles. One way to do this is to form the kenaf into a non-woven textile mat that can be used for erosion control, seedling mulches or oil spill absorbents. After a resin is added to the kenaf mats, they can be pressed into flat panels or moulded into shapes. 

Standard screening and air separation techniques can then be used to separate the two different materials. Commercially, kenaf bast fibre separated this way can be purchased 98% pith-free. 

---

Fig. 3. Cross sections (500x) of bast fibers (a), fiax (b), hemp (c), jute (d), kenaf and (e), ramie.

Kenaf and Roselle. These closely related bast fibers are derived from Hibiscus cannibinus and H sabdariffa (mallow family, Malvaceae), respectively. The fibers have other local names. Kenaf is grown for production in the People s Repubflc of China, Egypt, and regions of the former USSR roseUe is produced in India and Thailand. Plantation-grown kenaf is capable of growing from seedlings to 5 m at maturity in five months. It is reported to yield about 6—10 tons of dry matter per acre, nine times the yield of wood (13). 

A cross-sectional view of kenaf is shown in Figure 3d. The ultimate cells are nearly cylindrical with thick cell walls. Kenaf fibers are shorter and coarser than those of jute. Both chemical (kraft) and mechanical pulps have been produced from kenaf, and successful demonstration mns of newsprint have been made for the Dallas Morning Nem, the St. Petersburg Times, and the Bakersfield Californian with a furnish of 82% kenaf chemithermomechanical pulp and 18% softwood kraft pulp. Kenaf fiber is also considered a substitute for jute and used in sacking, rope, twine, bags, and as papermaking pulp in India, Thailand, and the former Yugoslavia. RoseUe bleached pulp is marketed in Thailand. 

Urena and Abutilon. These are less important vegetable fibers of a jute-like nature. Urena lobata (Cadillo) of the mallow family (Malvaceae) is a perennial that grows in Zaire and Brazil to a height of 4—5 m with stems 10—18 mm in diameter. Because of a lignified base, the stems are cut 20 cm above the ground. The plants are defoflated in the field and retted similarly to jute and kenaf. The retted material is stripped and washed and, in some cases. 

Jute category now includes jute-like fibers such as kenaf, mesta, roseUe, and congo jute or paka. ... 

Uses Abaca Cantala Henequen Sisal Flax Hemp jute Kenaf Ramie Suim Kapok Coir... 

Kenaf is a grass fiber crop that has been proposed as a papermaking source. It is an aimual crop and can be grown in many parts of the country. There have been agronomic problems with kenaf, primarily its vulnerabiUty to nematode pests. Another problem is that kenaf is harvested once a year and must then be stored, usually as silage. There is some loss of the fiber in storage. 

Lu, F. Ralph, J. Preliminary evidence for sinapyl acetate as a lignin monomer in kenaf. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 2002, 90-91. 

Kenaf (Manila hemp) Ramie (China grass)... 

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacae), birds foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and kenaf (Hibiscus cannibinus) have been used to reduce soil Se levels near Los Banos, California. Total Se concentrations in soil depths from 0 to 60 cm were lower in all cropped plots than in the bare plots after four years (Banuelos, 2000). The efficiency of Se lost from the soil after four years for each of the four crop rotations was in the range of 17-60% (Banuelos, 2000). The cropped plots with only tall fescue had 25% lower soil Se concentrations after four... 

Kelvin probe microscopy, 3 332 Kemira mixer-settler, 10 775 Kenaf, 11 292, 293-294 uses of, 11 299t, 300 Kendall structure, 19 204-205 Kennecott rhenium technology, 21 682 Kennecott wet chlorination plant, 22 84 Kenyaite, 22 455... 

Kenaf Hibiscus cannabinus) is used by Ford, Saab and Volvo for some interior trims. 

Polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with kenaf fibres developed by NEC for personal computer housings. With a 20% level of kenaf fibres, the main properties compete with glass fibre reinforced ABS but the cost is 50% higher. The flexural modulus is more than 4.5 GPa and the HDT reaches 120°C. 

The pulp and paper industries use three types of raw materials, namely, hard wood, soft wood, and nonwood fiber sources (straw, bagasse, bamboo, kenaf, and so on). Hard woods (oaks, maples, and birches) are derived from deciduous trees. Soft woods (spruces, firs, hemlocks, pines, cedar) are obtained from evergreen coniferous trees. 

Plant fibers such as cotton, abaca, agave, flax, hemp, kapok, jute, kenaf, and ramie are still in use but even cotton is no longer king. ... 

Kenaf (Manila hemp) Hibiscus (Hibiscus cannabinus) piants... 

---