Page 55 - Template Tesis UTM v2.0

(a) (b)

Figure 2.10 (a) Corchorus Olitorius, (b) Jute fibre

Table 2.8 shows the properties of jute fibre. However, jute fibres do have

disadvantages such as high moisture absorption, intrinsic polarity, low thermal
resistance, anisotropic fibre resistance, variability, poor drapability, yellowing in

sunlight and brittleness.

Table 2.8 Properties of jute fibre

Elongation Tensile Young’s
Fibre Density at break strength modulus Ref
3
(g/cm )
(%) (MPa) (GPa)
Jute 1.3 1.5 – 1.8 393 - 773 26.5 [21]
Jute 1.45 1.1 – 1.5 450 - 550 10 - 32 [34]

2.6.3 Flax fibre

Flax (Linum Usitatissimum) is extracted from the bast or skin of the stem of
the flax plant and is extensively cultivated in ancient Ethiopia and ancient Egypt. The

plant has been used since ancient times to produce linen cloth. Figures 2.11(a) and
2.11(b) show the flax plant and flax fibre, respectively. Flax was used as the linen

fabric by Egyptians to wrap their mummies. The advantages of flax include easy to

grow, has good tension and easy to find, making it less costly. However, flax has some
disadvantages like susceptibility to a wide variety of fungal diseases and the difficulty

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