SISAL FIBRE SPINNING

Highlight of the article:Sisal fiber obtained from the plant Agave Sisalana, yields a stifffibre, traditionally used in making twine, rope and also dartboards. Today Brazil is major world producer of sisal.The first commercial plantings in Brazil were made in late 1930’s and the first sisal fibre exports from there were made in 1946. Sisal plants consists of a rosette of sword-shaped leaves about 1.5 to 2 meters long.Young leaves may have a few minute thin along their margins, but lose them as they mature. The sisal plant has a 7-10 years life time and typically produces 200-250 commercially usable leaves. Traditionally, sisal has been the leading material for agricultural twin (binder twin and baler twin) because of its strength, durability to stretches, affinity for certain dyestuffs, and resistance to deteriorstion in salt water.But the importance of this traditional use is diminishing with competition from polypropylene and the development of other haymaking techniques, while new higher-valued sisal has been developed.

- MS. MANALI BHANUSHALI

Natural fibres are fibres that are produced by plants, animals, and geological processes. One of the most widely used natural fibers is Sisal fiber. It is also very easily cultivated. You can obtain Sisal fiber from Sisal plant. The plant, was formally known as Agave Sisalana. These plants produce rosettes of sword-shaped leaves which start out toothed, and gradually lose their teeth with maturity. Decortication is a process in which every leaf loses its long, straight fibers. During decortication, the leaves are beaten down to remove the pulp and plant material, leaving the tough fibers behind.

Sisal fiber is a high renewable source of energy , also it is fully biodegradable. Green composites were fabricated with soy protein resin which were modified with gelatin. Sisal fiber, modified soy protein resins, and composites were characterized for their mechanical and thermal properties. Sisal fibre is low maintenance with minimal wear and tear, and exceptionally durable. It is not suitable for a smooth wall finish and also not recommended for wet areas, because it is too tough for textiles and fabrics.