How Are Plant Fibers Used in Daily Life and Industry?
Fibers are thread-like materials. Plant fibers are those fibers which we get from plants. These are also known as natural fibers as we get these fibers naturally from plants. Cotton, jute, flax etc. are examples of natural fibres or plant fibres. Those fibers which we get from animals are also known as natural fibers such as wool. Manmade fibers are called synthetic fibers. Nylon, Rayon, Polyester etc. are few examples of Synthetic Fibers.
Types of Plant Fibers
Plant fibers can be mainly divided into following three types –
Seed Fibres
Bast Fibres
Hard Fibres
We get plant fibers from plants such as from jute plants we get jute fiber and we obtain cotton fiber from cotton plants etc. Have you seen golden-colored fiber which resembles golden thread? Do you know where we get that? Yeah! We get that golden fiber from the jute plant. Jute fiber is also known as golden fiber. Let’s discuss plant fibers in detail.
Seed Fibres
These plant fibers we get from the seeds of the plants. Examples – cotton, kapok etc.
Bast Fibres
Bast is the outer covering of stem in plants. These plant fibers are collected from the inner bark or blast of plants. Examples – jute, flax, hemp etc.
Hard Fibers
These plant fibers are collected from the leaves of the plants. Examples – coir from a hard shell of coconuts.
Apart from these parts of plants, we get plant fibers from grass, wood, etc.
What is Plant Fiber?
Fibers are thread-like materials. Plant fibers are those fibers that we get from plants. These are also known as natural fibers as we get these fibers naturally from plants. Cotton, jute, flax etc. are examples of natural fibers or plant fibers. Those fibers which we get from animals are also known as natural fibers such as wool.
Manmade fibers are called synthetic fibers. Nylon, Rayon, Polyester etc. are few examples of Synthetic Fibers.
List of Plant Fibers
Here we are describing some common plant fibers with their uses –
Jute Fiber
Jute fibers are bast fibers. We get jute fibers from the stem of jute plants. It is a long, shiny and soft fiber. It is stronger than fibers such as cotton. It is one of the most affordable fibers. It is used in the twine, rope, bags, doormats etc.
Cotton Fiber
Cotton fibers are seed fibers. We get cotton fiber from the seeds of plants. It is soft, fluffy fiber. It is a very good absorbent. We have been using cotton fibers since ancient times. It is found in South Asia, America, Arabia, Iran, China and India etc. It is used in numerous fields in various ways. It is used in bath towels, textile industry, pharma industry etc.
Flax Fiber
Like jute fibre it is also a bast fiber. It is generally cultivated in cooler regions of the world. These fibers are also 2-3times stronger than cotton fibers. It is naturally smooth and straight. It is used in the textile industry, to make high quality papers, surgical threads etc.
Hemp Fiber
Like jute and flax fiber, it is also a bast fiber. It is used to make rope, shoes, food paper, bioplastics, biofuel etc. it can be used for animal bedding and garden mulch as well.
Coir
It is also a seed fiber like cotton fiber. We get it from coconut. It is also a natural fiber. Bristle coir is the longest coir fiber. It is also known as coconut cotton. It is used in making doormats, brushes, mattresses, packaging, bedding and flooring. It has uses in agriculture and horticulture as well.
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Different Types of Fibres
Nature is vast and resourceful and humans have availed the opportunity to acquire them. There are various types of fibres that can be acquired from plants. Some of them are listed below.
Cotton Fiber: Cotton fibre is obtained from cotton plants. These plants grow in places where there is black soil and a warm climate. It is after maturing that the cotton plant fruits burst open and the seeds are obtained.
Jute Fibre: Jute fibre is obtained from the stem of the jute plant. It is cultivated during rainy seasons. The process of harvesting the jute plants is known as retting. The plant's stems are then submerged in water for a couple of days. Then fibres are separated by hand through a method called stripping.
Coconut Fibre: The fibre that is obtained from coconut is coconut fibre. It is also known as coir. It is obtained from the outer shell of the coconut. Linen fibre: Linen fiber is obtained from the stems of a flax plant. It is used in the production of ropes, tablecloths, chair covers, napkins, bags, aprons and also high-quality paper. It is found in subtropical regions of the world, but it is almost exclusively found in North Dakota and Minnesota. Flax fiber varies from 10 to 100 centimeters in length. The fiber is soft to touch, flexible, and gives a shiny look.
Kapok: It is also called silk cotton. Kapok is another type of plant fiber. It is cultivated to obtain silk cotton fiber from it. It looks like cotton and is derived from the kapok tree after the fruit ripens and bursts open. It is light, fluffy and water repellant. This is the reason this fiber is used in thermal and sound insulation along with filling in thick mattresses and life jackets.
FAQs on Plant Fibers: Types, Characteristics, and Examples
1. What are plant fibres and which plants give us cotton and jute?
Plant fibres are thin, thread-like strands obtained from various parts of plants. They are a type of natural fibre. The two most common examples are cotton and jute. Cotton fibre is obtained from the fruit (cotton bolls) of the cotton plant (Gossypium), while jute fibre is extracted from the stem of the jute plant (Corchorus).
2. What are the ideal conditions for growing cotton and jute plants?
The growing conditions for these plants are quite different.
- Cotton requires a warm climate, black soil, and plenty of sunshine. It grows well in regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab in India.
- Jute thrives in a hot and humid climate with ample rainfall. It is mainly grown in alluvial soil found in the delta regions of rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, making West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar major jute-producing states.
3. How is cotton fibre processed from the plant to yarn?
The process involves two main steps. First, the cotton bolls are picked from the plants. The fibres are then separated from the seeds by a process called ginning, which was traditionally done by hand but is now done by machines. After ginning, the raw cotton is cleaned and converted into yarn through a process called spinning, where fibres are drawn out and twisted together.
4. How is jute fibre extracted from the jute plant?
Jute fibre is extracted from the stem of the plant. After harvesting, the jute stems are bundled together and soaked in water for several days. This process, called retting, causes the stems to rot and loosens the fibres from the stalk. The fibres are then separated from the rotting stem by hand in a process called stripping. Finally, these fibres are washed and dried before being spun into yarn.
5. What are the most common uses of cotton and jute?
Cotton is primarily used for making soft, breathable fabrics for clothing like t-shirts, jeans, and sarees, as well as home furnishings like bedsheets and towels. Jute, being a coarse and strong fibre, is used to make gunny bags, ropes, carpets, sacks, and other durable packaging materials. It is also used to make decorative handicrafts.
6. Why is cotton fibre suitable for making summer clothes?
Cotton is an excellent choice for summer clothing because it is soft, lightweight, and highly absorbent. Its absorbent nature allows it to soak up sweat, while the pores in the fabric allow air to circulate, helping the body to cool down. This breathability prevents the fabric from sticking to the skin, making it very comfortable to wear in hot and humid weather.
7. Why is jute often called the 'Golden Fibre' and what makes it so strong?
Jute is called the 'Golden Fibre' because of its shiny, golden-brown colour and its significant economic value. Its strength comes from its primary components, cellulose and lignin, which make the fibres tough and durable. This natural strength makes it ideal for producing materials like sacks and ropes that need to withstand heavy loads without breaking.
8. What is the main difference between cotton and jute fibres in terms of texture and properties?
The primary difference lies in their source and resulting properties. Cotton comes from the fruit of the plant and is soft, fluffy, and highly absorbent, making it ideal for clothing. In contrast, jute is a bast fibre from the plant's stem, which makes it coarse, strong, and less flexible. Jute is not suitable for clothing but is perfect for strong, durable items like bags and ropes.
9. Besides cotton and jute, what are two other examples of useful plant fibres?
Two other important plant fibres are:
- Coir: This is a coarse fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconuts. It is highly resistant to water and is used to make doormats, brushes, and mattresses.
- Flax: This fibre is obtained from the stem of the flax plant. It is used to produce linen, a smooth and strong fabric used for high-quality clothing and bedsheets.
