JUTE
◆Jute is widely cultivated in the alluvial plains In the tropical and sub-tropical zones of the South Asian region.
◆India is the biggest producer followed by Bangladesh, Thailand and China.The natural conditions of these areas are ideal for its cultivation.
◆In India the highly humidity and alluvial soils of river Ganga and Brahmputra are suited for jute cultivation.
◆These are annual plants and may grow to a height of 12 feet.
Introduction
◆Jute fibre is obtained from the inner bark of the two cultivated species of the genus Corchorous (C), viz. C. capsularis (white jute) and C olitorius (Tossa Jute) of the family Tiliaceae.◆Jute is widely cultivated in the alluvial plains In the tropical and sub-tropical zones of the South Asian region.
◆India is the biggest producer followed by Bangladesh, Thailand and China.The natural conditions of these areas are ideal for its cultivation.
◆In India the highly humidity and alluvial soils of river Ganga and Brahmputra are suited for jute cultivation.
◆These are annual plants and may grow to a height of 12 feet.
#Stages of fibre production
(a) Cultivation:-
◆The ground is first prepared by ploughing and harrowing, then seeds are sown between February (for low areas) and upon mid June (for higher areas).◆Close planting at distance of 4 inches is preferred to achieve best yield.
◆Seeds germinate in 3-5 days.
◆It needs high temperature (23 to 37°C), maximum relative humidity (80-95%) and plenty of rainfall.
(b) Harvesting:-
◆The stems are harvested by hand shortly after the flowers have appeared.◆The plants are either cut or pulled at appropriate time. Early cutting gives unsatisfactory yield whereas delayed reaping results in coarser fibres.
◆The stems are cut, tied into bundles and laid in the field. Generally their leaves are stripped.
◆The jute must be retted to remove woody parts.
(c) Retting
◆Retting is a process in which fibres in the bark are loosened and separated from the woody stalk due to the removal of pectins, gums etc.(i)Stagnant or tank retting:
The jute stalks are placed in retting basins (tank, pond or river etc.) and kept immersed 4-6 inches below the surface by weights.
◆Process is carried out for 12-25 days depending upon region, temperature of water and maturity of stem. During this, microorganisms naturally present in stem,transform the pectinous substances holding the fibres to simple compounds such as carbon dioxide, acetic acid etc. which are easily removed being soluble in water.
◆The colour of bundles gradually changes from green to yellowish green and then to yellow.
◆The bark then can easily be separated from stem by hand Sometimes stalks are beaten with wooden hammers to loose fibres from which are then easily peeled off.
◆The fibres are then washed, dried and baled.
(ii)Chemical retting:
◆In this process tissues are softened by boiling with 1% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or 0.5% sulphuric acid (H,SO ) at boiling temperature for 6-8 hours. ◆The gum and pectic matter gets
hydrolysed and degraded to lower products, which can easily be removed by washing with water.
#Grading of jute
◆Grading of jute is depending on six fibre quality attributes, as strength, defects, root content, colour, fineness and density.◆Jute is graded into eight white (C. capsularis) grades, i.e. W1.......W8 and eight tossa (C. olitorius) grades, i.e. TD1.......TD8 in descending order of quality.
#Properties
(A) Physical properties
(i) Microscopic appearance:-◆Jute is a multicellular fibre, The individual fibre shows nodes and cross markings in longitudinal view and polygonal shapes in cross-section.
◆Lumen is wider than the cell wall and shows remarkable constrictions (irregular thickness)
in the cell wall. Lumen broadens at the end of the fibre making cell wall very thin.
◆Externally fibre is smooth and lustrous.
in the cell wall. Lumen broadens at the end of the fibre making cell wall very thin.
◆Externally fibre is smooth and lustrous.
(ii) Length and diameter:-
◆A single jute fibre has average length of 0.1 inch and a mean diameter of 12
(microns).The mean length/breadth ratio is around 90.
◆A single jute fibre has average length of 0.1 inch and a mean diameter of 12
(microns).The mean length/breadth ratio is around 90.
(iv) Moisture regain:-
Jute is highly hygroscopic in nature. Its moisture regain is 12-14% at standard condition.
Jute is highly hygroscopic in nature. Its moisture regain is 12-14% at standard condition.
(v) Strength:-
The tenacity of jute varies from 3.5-7gm/denier.
The tenacity of jute varies from 3.5-7gm/denier.
(vi) Colour:-
Varies from yellow to brown to grey depending upon condition of growth and retting etc.
Varies from yellow to brown to grey depending upon condition of growth and retting etc.
(vii) Elongation:-
Jute do not stretch to appreciable extent under tension. Its breaking elongation is 1-1.2 % under normal atmospheric condition.
Jute do not stretch to appreciable extent under tension. Its breaking elongation is 1-1.2 % under normal atmospheric condition.
(viii) Composition:-
Cellulose:-(55-63% )
Hemicelulose :-(20-24%) and
Lignin:- (12-14 % )
Cellulose:-(55-63% )
Hemicelulose :-(20-24%) and
Lignin:- (12-14 % )
(ix) Conductivity:-
It is very good insulator of heat and electricity.
It is very good insulator of heat and electricity.
(x) Elasticity:-
Jute has lower elasticity due to its stiffness and rigidity. This has advantages of jute to be used as bagging material as they retain their shape on loading.
Jute has lower elasticity due to its stiffness and rigidity. This has advantages of jute to be used as bagging material as they retain their shape on loading.
(B) Chemical properties
In chemical composition jute is different from linen and cotton as it is composed of a modified form of cellulose called lignocellulose, a compound of lignin and cellulose.
(i) Action of alkalies:-
Strong alkalies degrade its strength. Jute loses its weight when it is boiled with dilute caustic soda. The loss is mainly due to the removal of hemicellulose.
Strong alkalies degrade its strength. Jute loses its weight when it is boiled with dilute caustic soda. The loss is mainly due to the removal of hemicellulose.
(ii)Action of oxidising agents:-
Ordinary oxidising agents have no action on jute.
Ordinary oxidising agents have no action on jute.
(iii) Action of acids:-
Organic acids like oxalic acid, formic acid, mineral acids like sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid in dilute condition has no reaction at ordinary or cold conditions. With strong acids at hoiling condition hydrocellulose is formed.
Organic acids like oxalic acid, formic acid, mineral acids like sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid in dilute condition has no reaction at ordinary or cold conditions. With strong acids at hoiling condition hydrocellulose is formed.
(iv) Action of microorganisms:-
Jute is more resistant to microbiological attack than grey cotton or flax. If it is slightly scoured it has excellent resistant owing to protective effect of lignin. Sometimes jute fabrics are treated with cuprammonium solution and then dried so that a film of green colour is produ ced on the material which makes it more or less rot proof.
Jute is more resistant to microbiological attack than grey cotton or flax. If it is slightly scoured it has excellent resistant owing to protective effect of lignin. Sometimes jute fabrics are treated with cuprammonium solution and then dried so that a film of green colour is produ ced on the material which makes it more or less rot proof.
(v) Action of sunlight:-
When jute is exposed to sunlight it gradually assumes a yellowish tinge. This is due to colour changes within the fibre connected with lignin molecules.
When jute is exposed to sunlight it gradually assumes a yellowish tinge. This is due to colour changes within the fibre connected with lignin molecules.
# Uses of jute
(i) Due to cheap, strong, durable, non-slip nature, low breaking elongation jute is ideally suitable for racks and bales for packaging purpose.
(ii) It is used in woven carpets as warp or weft pile.
(iii) It is used as cordage in domestic ropes, twines etc.
(iv) Jute waste is used as stiffer natural in seats.
(v) It is sed in furnishing and curtain fabrics.
(vi) It is blended with wool to provide cheap woven apparel fabrics.
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