Coir fibers are extracted from the fruit coconut. It grows in the part between the husk of the coconut and its outer shell. The color of this fiber is golden, therefore it is also known as ‘Golden Fiber’. However they are not initially golden in color, but of pale color. At later stage when fibers become hard, they acquire yellowish-golden color because of the lignin deposits on its walls. Its structure is narrow and hollow.
Coir fibers are water-proof in nature, also to the sea water, which is a distinguishable property. There are mainly two types of coir - white coir and brown coir. For processing of white coir both sea and fresh water is used, whereas for brown coir fresh water is used.
Properties of coir
- It is a bad conductor of heat. It provides padding against extreme temperatures and sound.
- It is easy to wash and clean, which makes them highly durable and maintenance free.
- It is unaffected by fungi, rot and other moths. As it is resistant to moisture the growth of micro-organisms is barred.
- Even if it is used for many years it does not loose its shape easily.
Types of coir
The types of coir - brown coir and white coir are categorized on the basis of the stage of the fruit when they are extracted from it, i.e. whether the coir is extracted from an immature coconut or fully ripped one. White coir is extracted from the husks of coconut which is not fully ripen and it is comparatively less stronger and more softer. Brown coir is extracted from the husks of coconut which is 100% ripened.
- White coir
As it is derived from immature husks, these husks are submerged in water for about ten month’s time. In this time period the plant tissues covering the coir fibers break down due to chemical reactions of the micro-organisms. Then the husks are hand beaten which separates the long fibers. The fibers further are dried in the sun, cleaned and sent for spinning where they are converted into yarn. These yarns are useful for making ropes, mats, etc.
- Brown coir
The husks are immersed into the slow flowing water, were the fibers get swollen as a result become soft. The long fibers and shorter fibers are separated from each other. The shorter fibers are also known as mattress fibers and longer ones are known as bristle fibers. They are first cleaned, sun dried and packed. Coir fibers are wavy in structure and have elasticity. The ropes are made by twisting these fibers. The long fibers are cleaned by water, dried in the sun and made into bundles. They are then made straight by steel combs and dyed with the desired colors.
The procedure for obtaining coir
Harvesting of the fiber
The coconuts are obtained from the trees, fetched by the climber with the help of the bamboo pole and a knife. As it is described earlier the two types of coir are extracted from different stages of the coconut, the unripe coconut are allowed to dry in the sun for about a month. Whereas the fully ripened coconuts are husked as soon as they are fetched from the tree, then the fruit is separated from the seed. Earlier this work was done only manually but now-a-days husking machines do this work at many places.
Coir fibers are extracted from the fruit coconut. It grows in the part between the husk of the coconut and its outer shell. The color of this fiber is golden, therefore it is also known as ‘Golden Fiber’. However they are not initially golden in color, but of pale color. At later stage when fibers become hard, they acquire yellowish-golden color because of the lignin deposits on its walls. Its structure is narrow and hollow.
Coir fibers are water-proof in nature, also to the sea water, which is a distinguishable property. There are mainly two types of coir - white coir and brown coir. For processing of white coir both sea and fresh water is used, whereas for brown coir fresh water is used.
Properties of coir
- It is a bad conductor of heat. It provides padding against extreme temperatures and sound.
- It is easy to wash and clean, which makes them highly durable and maintenance free.
- It is unaffected by fungi, rot and other moths. As it is resistant to moisture the growth of micro-organisms is barred.
- Even if it is used for many years it does not loose its shape easily.
Types of coir
The types of coir - brown coir and white coir are categorized on the basis of the stage of the fruit when they are extracted from it, i.e. whether the coir is extracted from an immature coconut or fully ripped one. White coir is extracted from the husks of coconut which is not fully ripen and it is comparatively less stronger and more softer. Brown coir is extracted from the husks of coconut which is 100% ripened.
- White coir
As it is derived from immature husks, these husks are submerged in water for about ten month’s time. In this time period the plant tissues covering the coir fibers break down due to chemical reactions of the micro-organisms. Then the husks are hand beaten which separates the long fibers. The fibers further are dried in the sun, cleaned and sent for spinning where they are converted into yarn. These yarns are useful for making ropes, mats, etc.
- Brown coir
The husks are immersed into the slow flowing water, were the fibers get swollen as a result become soft. The long fibers and shorter fibers are separated from each other. The shorter fibers are also known as mattress fibers and longer ones are known as bristle fibers. They are first cleaned, sun dried and packed. Coir fibers are wavy in structure and have elasticity. The ropes are made by twisting these fibers. The long fibers are cleaned by water, dried in the sun and made into bundles. They are then made straight by steel combs and dyed with the desired colors.
The procedure for obtaining coir
Harvesting of the fiber
The coconuts are obtained from the trees, fetched by the climber with the help of the bamboo pole and a knife. As it is described earlier the two types of coir are extracted from different stages of the coconut, the unripe coconut are allowed to dry in the sun for about a month. Whereas the fully ripened coconuts are husked as soon as they are fetched from the tree, then the fruit is separated from the seed. Earlier this work was done only manually but now-a-days husking machines do this work at many places.
posted by zzzzzzzzzzz at
3:56 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home