Hemp
Fibre structure & physical properties
Fibre composition:
Cellulose
Diameter: 16 - 50 μm
Very fine: < 10 μm,
Fine: < 20 μm,
Medium: 20-50 μm,
Course: > 50 μm
Length: Staple
Staple length: 40 mm - 2 m
short < 26 mm,
medium 26-29 mm,
long: 30-38 mm,
extra long: 39 mm and over
Natural fibre colour: Yellowish grey to deep brown
Microscopic Images (Cross sectional and SEM):
Mwaikambo, L Y, and Ansell, M P. “Mechanical Properties of Alkali Treated Plant Fibres and Their Potential as Reinforcement Materials. I. Hemp Fibres.” Journal of Materials Science 41.8 (2006): 2483-496. Web.
Caption:Irregular polygonal multicellular with small lumem and middle lamella
Comment:
Smooth and cylindrical with a cross marking nodes, no lengthwise striations, broad lumen
Fibre properties (Mechanical, Chemical and Thermal)
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (cN/dtex) :
Chemical Properties
Hydrophobicity: Hydrophilic
Moisture regain (%): 12.4%
Thermal Properties
Flammability: Cellulosic fibres such as cotton, hemp jute etc. burns with a steady flame and smells like burning paper or leaves. The ash is greyish and easily crushed.
Sustainability considerations
End uses
Apparel: The primary use of hemp fabric is apparel, including dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, T-shirts, hoodies, and clothing for children.
Videos
Materials using this fibre
Additional resources
Taylor MA, 2004. Technology of Textile Properties. Third edition. Forbes Publications, London, UK.
Zhong Z and Xiao C, 2008. Fabric composition and testing. In: Fabric Testing. Ed: Hu, J. Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, UK.
ISO/TR 11827:2012 Textiles — Composition testing — Identification of fibres.
Houck, Max M. Identification of Textile Fibers. Cambridge : Boca Raton: Woodhead Pub. in Association with The Textile Institute ; CRC, 2009. Print.
