Kapok V Tehninih Tekstilijah

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Kapok in technical textiles
Article in Tekstilec · January 2008
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Tatjana Rijavec
University of Ljubljana
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Kapok v tehničnih tekstilijah 319
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Kapok in Technical Textiles

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Kapok v tehničnih tekstilijah
3FDFJWFEJune 2008 r"DDFQUFESeptember 2008 Pregledni znanstveni članek
1PTMBOPjunij 2008 r4QSFKFUPseptember 2008
Abstract
Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) is a highly lignified *[WMFǊFL

organic seed fibre, containing 22–45% of cellu-
lose, 22–45% of hemicelluloses, and 15–22% of ,BQPL $FJCBQFOUBOESB
KFWJTPLPMJHOJOJ[JSBOPOBSBWOPTFNFOTLP
lignin. In its primary cell wall kapok contains, WMBLOPJ[mDFMVMP[F mIFNJDFMVMP[JOmMJHOJ-
in addition to waxes, a high percentage of inor- OB1PMFHWPTLPWWTFCVKFWQSJNBSOJDFMJǊOJTUFOJWJTPLEFMFßBOPS-
ganic substances, which, in combination with a HBOTLJITOPWJ LJTLVQBK[BDFUJMOJNJTLVQJOBNJ LBUFSJIEFMFßKFQSBW
high percentage of acetyl groups, imparts excel- UBLPWJTPL EBKFKPLBQPLVUVEJQPPETUSBOJUWJWPTLBPEMJǊOFIJESP-
lent hydrophobic properties to kapok even after GPCOFMBTUOPTUJ/J[LBHPTUPUBWMBLFO HDN–3 KFQPTMFEJDBØJSP-
removal of waxes. Low fibre density, i.e. 0,348 LFHBMVNOB LJ[BKFNBPLSPHWMBLOB»JSPLMVNFOPNPHPǊBJ[-
gcm–3, is attributed to a wide lumen, which oc- KFNOPTQPTPCOPTU[BESßFWBOKBUFLPǊJO,BQPLJNBQSPUJNJLSPCOF
cupies approximately 74% of a kapok fibre. Due MBTUOPTUJ.FEDFMVMP[OJNJWMBLOJJ[TUPQBUVEJQPPEMJǊOJIUPQMPUOJI
to such wide lumen, kapok has an exception- JO [WPǊOPJ[PMBDJKTLJI TQPTPCOPTUJI QMPWOPTUJ PEMJǊOJI TQPTPCOP-
al capability of liquids retention. Kapok boasts TUJI BCTPSQDJKF PMKJO ESVHJIOFQPMBSOJI UFLPǊJO,BQPLVQPSBCMKB-
with good anti-microbial properties. It is distin- KPQSFEWTFNWPCMJLJQPMOJMBJOWMBLOPWJO [FMPNBMPWQSFKBI QSFE-
guished from other cellulosic fibres by its excel- WTFN [BSBEJ TMBCF LPIF[JWOPTUJ WMBLFO UPHPTUJ LSILPTUJ JO OJ[LF
lent thermal and acoustic insulating properties, USEOPTUJ3B[JTLBWFLBßFKPOPWFQPUFODJBMOFNPßOPTUJVQPSBCFLB-
high buoyancy, and good oil and other non-polar QPLB[BUFIOJǊOFUFLTUJMJKF LPUQPMOJMB[BOPUSBOKPPQSFNPKBIUJO
liquids absorbency. Kapok is mainly used in the ǊPMOPW LPU J[PMBDJKTLFHB NBUFSJBMB W IMBEJMOJI TJTUFNJI [B [WPǊOP
form of stuffing and nonwovens; it is rarely used J[PMBDJKP [BñMUSBDJKPPEQBEOJIJOEVTUSJKTLJIWPE [B[CJSBOKFSB[MJUF
in yarns, mostly due to low cohesivity of its fibres OBGUFOBWPEOJIQPWSØKJIJO[BPKBǊJUWFOPLPNQPOFOUPWQPMJNFSOJI
and their resilience, brittleness, and low strength. LPNQP[JUJI,BQPLKFñ[JPMPØLPJOFSUFO6QPSBCMKBKPHBUVEJWQSF-
New potentials of kapok have been opening in ISBOJ[BTFMFLUJWOPJ[MPǊBOKFNBØǊPC
the field of technical textiles, yachts and boats
furnishing, insulating materials in refrigeration ,MKVǊOFCFTFEFLBQPL $FJCBQFOUBOESB MJHOJO PMKOJBCTPSCFSKJ WMB-
systems, acoustic insulation, industrial wastewa- LOBUJLPNQP[JUJ
ters filtration, removal of spilled oil from water
Vodilni avtor/corresponding author:

dr. Tatjana Rijavec
UFM
FNBJMUBUKBOBSJKBWFD!OUGVOJMKTJ
Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

320 Kapok v tehničnih tekstilijah
surfaces, and reinforcement components in pol- 6WPE

ymer composites. Kapok is physiologically inert.
It is also used in nutrition for selective elimina- ,BQPLKFTUBOEBSEJ[JSBOPSPEPWOPJNF[BOBSBWOBDFMVMP[OBWMBLOB
tion of fats. J[TFNFOTLFMVØʅJOFQMPEVLBQPLPWDBCeiba pentandra BOHMceiba,
kapok, kapok tree, silk cotton tree, silk cottonwood, vegetable down,
Key words: kapok, Ceiba pentandra, lignin, oil vegetable silk, Java cotton
<> ,BLPWPTUOB WMBLOB EBKF LBQPLPWFD
sorbents, fibre composites Ceiba pentandra L[WFʅQPEWSTUBNJVar. caribaea, Var. guineensis,
Var. pentandra in Var. indica (DC) Bakh,BQPLPWFDVar. pentandra
1 Introduction KFOBSBWOJIJCSJENFEVar. caribaea in Var. guineensis<>
,BQPLPWFDVTQFWBW.FIJLJ 4SFEOKJ"NFSJLJ OB,BSJCJI OBTFWF-
Kapok is a standardized common name for or- SV+VßOF"NFSJLFJOW;BIPEOJ"GSJLJ/B+BWJHBHPKJKPPETUP-
ganic cellulosic fibres extracted from the seed- MFUKB EBMKF 4WFUPWOB MFUOB QSPJ[WPEOKB LBQPLB KF PLSPH UJTPʅ
pod of the kapok tree Ceiba pentandra (ceiba, UPO<>/BUSHVKFOBKWFʅKBWBOTLFHBLBQPLB7MFUVKF[OB-
kapok, kapok tree, silk cotton tree, silk cotton- ØBMJ[WP[LBQPLBJ[*OEPOF[JKF T5BKTLFJOJ[;%"UPO(MBWOJ
wood, vegetable down, vegetable silk, Java cot- VWP[OJLJLBQPLBTP+BQPOTLB ,JUBKTLBJO)POHPOH<>$FOBWMB-
ton) [1]. Kapok tree Ceiba pentandra L. with LFOKFPLSPH BNFSJØLFHBEPMBSKB[BLJMPHSBN
several varieties: Var. caribaea, Var. guineen- 5SBEJDJPOBMOPVQPSBCMKBKPLBQPLLPUQPMOJMP[BßJNOJDF CMB[JOFJO
sis, Var. pentandra and Var. indica (DC) Bakh PCMB[JOKFOP QPIJØUWP 4USPKOP QSFEFOKF LBQPLB KF [BSBEJ LSILPTUJ
produces fibres of high quality. Kapok tree Var. JOTMBCFLPIF[JWOPTUJWMBLFO[FMPUFßLPUFSPNFKFOPOBHSPCFQSF-
pentandra is a natural hybrid between Var. car- KFP[JSPNBOBQSFKFJ[NFØBOJD[CPNCBßFN7ESVHJQPMPWJDJ
ibaea and Var. guineensis [2]. TUPMFUKBTFKFVQPSBCBLBQPLBNPʅOP[NBOKØBMB LFSTPHBJ[QPESJ-
Kapok trees grow in Mexico, Central Ameri- OJMB TJOUFUJʅOB QPMOJMB QSFEWTFN QPMJVSFUBOTLF QFOF ;BEOKB MFUB
ca, Caribbean islands, in the northern part of postaja kapok kot obnovljivo in biorazgradljivo vlakno zopet za-
South America and in the western part of Af- OJNJW0EQJSBKPTFOPWFNPßOPTUJVQPSBCF[BPMKOFĐMUSFJOWLPN-
rica. In Java it has been cultivated since the QP[JUJI,BQPLOBKEFNPUVEJOBTMPWFOTLFNUSßJØʅV JOTJDFSOBK-
10th century. The annual world production of WFʅLSBULPUQPMOJMPWCMB[JOBI
kapok is about 123 thousand tonnes [3]. The 5FIOPMPHJKBQSJEPCJWBOKBLBQPLBKFØFWFEOPUSBEJDJPOBMOB TBKWB-
highest market share belongs to Java kapok. njo revne dežele, v katerih uspeva kapok, v preteklosti niso bile
In the year 2001, Indonesia, Thailand, and TQPTPCOFWMBHBUJ1PEPCOPLPUESVHBSBTUMJOTLBWMBLOB SB[FOCPN-
the USA exported 2,775 tonnes of kapok. Ma- baža, je bil tudi kapok v preteklih tridesetih letih zapostavljeno vla-
jor importers of kapok are Japan, China, and LOP OFLPOLVSFOʅOP TJOUFUJʅOJN NBUFSJBMPN %BOFT KF LBQPL ØF
Hong Kong [4]. The price of kapok fibres is WFEOP [FMP OFQP[OBOP OBSBWOP DFMVMP[OP WMBLOP T QPTFCOJNJ MB-
about 0.2 US$/kg. TUOPTUNJ LJOBQPESPʅKVUFIOJʅOJIUFLTUJMJKØFOJTPEPWPMKJ[LPSJØʅF-
Kapok has been traditionally used as a stuff- OF7ʅMBOLVKFQPEBOQSFHMFEMJUFSBUVSF PENPSGPMPHJKF LFNJʅOJI
ing in mattresses, pillows, and upholstered fur- JOĐ[JLBMOJIMBTUOPTUJLBQPLBEPVQPSBCFWQSFUFLMPTUJJOEBOFT
niture. Machine spinning of kapok is difficult
due to brittleness and low cohesivity of its fi-
bres, and is limited to coarse yarns only or to 1SJEPCJWBOKFJOLBLPWPTULBQPLB
the yarns from blends with cotton. In the sec-
ond half of the 20th century the use of kapok 1MPEPWJLBQPLBTPmDNEPMHJJOmDNEFCFMJ/BPESBTMFN
drastically dropped with the advent of syn- ESFWFTVEP[PSJmQMPEPW,PEP[PSJKP QPʅJKP QSJʅFNFSTF
thetic stuffing materials, notaby polyurethane TUJTOKFOBWMBLOBØJSPLPSB[QSPTUSFKP1MPEPWFPCJSBKPSPʅOP [BQS-
foam. During recent years kapok, as a recycla- UFUPMʅFKP[CBNCVTPWJNJQBMJDBNJ EBSB[CJKFKPUSEPMVQJOPJOQSJ-
ble and biodegradable fibre, has become inter- EFKP EP WMBLFO 4FNFOB J[MPʅBKP OB QSFQSPTUJI TJUBTUJN CPCOPN
esting again. Oil filters and composites are new QPEPCOJI OBQSBWBI 4MFEJ PETUSBOKFWBOKF PTUBOLPW QMPEPW QPTV-
potentials of its use. Kapok can be found also ØFOJI MJTUPW JO ESVHJI OFWMBLOBUJI QSJNFTJ "NFSJØLJ QBUFOU <>
in the Slovenian market, mostly as a stuffing in PQJTVKFQPTUPQFLTUSPKOFHBʅJØʅFOKBLBQPLBßFOB[BʅFULVTUPMF-
pillows. UKB1SFEQBLJSBOKFNTVØJKPLBQPLOBTPODVWHPTUJINSFßBTUJIWSF-
The production technology of kapok is tra- ʅBI EBWMBLFOOFPEQJIOFWFUFSJOEBKJI[BØʅJUJKPQSFELPNBSKJ;B
ditional as poor countries in which kapok is USBOTQPSUKJITUJTLBKPWCBMF UFßLFmLH [BØʅJUFOF[KVUPWJOP

growing were not able to invest into it. In the BMJULBOJOPJ[QPMJQSPQJMFOB4UJTLBOKFWMBLFOWCBMFKFPNFKFOP[B-

last thirty years kapok was, just like other plant SBEJLSILPTUJLBQPLB
fibres, with the exception of cotton, ignored and ,BLPWPTULBQPLBPDFOKVKFKPOBQPEMBHJWTFCOPTUJMJHOJOB QSFNFSB
unable to compete with synthetic materials. WMBLFO QSJʅFNFSEPTFßFLBQPL[FOBLPNFSOFKØJNQSFNFSPNWJØ-
Even today, kapok is still an almost unknown KPWSFEOPTU QMPWOPTUJOBBMLPIPMOJSB[UPQJOJ[HPTUPUP HDNm
organic cellulosic fibre with special properties, JOSFMBUJWOFIJUSPTUJPNPʅFOKBUFSQPUPQJUWFWMBLFO
which are still not sufficiently exploited in the 7TFCOPTUMJHOJOBLWBMJUBUJWOPPDFOKVKFKP[NJLSPLFNJKTLPSFBLDJKP
field of technical textiles. The paper gives a sur- [BMLPIPMOPSB[UPQJOPēVPSPHMVDJOPMBJO)$M1SJTFHSFWBOKVLBQP-
vey of the literature, from morphology, chemi- LBT)$MOBTUBKBJ[QFOUP[ LJTPWWMBLOV GVSGVSBM $)0p$)0

cal and physical properties of kapok to its use in UB QB TF PC QSJTPUOPTUJ ēVPSPHMVDJOPMB $) 0)

PCBSWB /BK-
the past and today. CPMKØJ LBQPL OF EB SFBLDJKF PCBSWBOKB LBQPL TMBCØF LBLPWPTUJ TF
PCBSWBSEFʅFSKBWPEPNBHFOUBSEFʅF<>
2 Production and Quality of Kapok /BKCPMKLBLPWPTUFOLBQPLQSJIBKBOBUSHJ["GSJLFJO[+BWF4MBCØBTUB
LBQPLT$FKMPOBJOJOEJKTLJLBQPL+BWBOTLJLBQPLSB[WSØʅBKPWUSJSB-
Kapok seedpods are 10–40 cm long and 3–5 cm [SFEFTVQFSĐOJLBQPLm4VQFS'JOF2VBMJUZ "+,
ĐOJLBQPLm'JOF
thick. A grown-up kapok tree produces 500– 2VBMJUZ $.JO
JOTUBOEBSEOJLBQPLm4UBOEBSE2VBMJUZ $0ć

4000 seedpods. When ripened, seedpods burst ,BLPWPTUOB WMBLOB QSJEPCJKP MF J[ [SFMJI QMPEPW TMJLB
/F[SF-
and the compressed fibres spread widely. Seed- MBWMBLOBJNBKPTMBCPUSEOPTU TMBCBMFTLJOCBSWPUFSOFQSFOFTFKP
pods are harvested by hand and closed seed- NPʅOFHB TUJTLBOKB W CBMF /F[SFMFNV LBQPLV MBILP J[CPMKØBKP WJ-
pods are beaten with bamboo sticks in order to EF[ T GFSNFOUBDJKP OB QSPTUFN WFOEBS TF NFIBOTLF MBTUOPTUJ QSJ
break hard husk and to reach fibres. Seeds are UFNQPTUPQLVOFJ[CPMKØBKP
Figure 1: Closed (top) and halved (bottom) kapok seedpod with fibres (foto: T. Rijavec)
separated on simple, sieve-like devices simi-

lar to drums and cleared from pod debris, dry .PSGPMPØLBTUSVLUVSBLBQPLB
leaves, and other non-fibrous impurities. The
US patent [2] describes the method of kapok Kapok je gladko, enocelično vlakno cilindrične oblike, brez zavo-
machine cleaning at the beginning of the 20th KFW*NBUBOLPDFMJʅOPTUFOP LJKPQSFLSJWBEFCFMBQMBTUWPTLB»J-
century. Prior to being packed, kapok is dried SPLMVNFOKF[BQPMOKFO[[SBLPN LJTFQSJTVØFOKV[SFMJIWMBLFOOF
in the sun protected from wind and mosquitoes TFTFEFLPUQSJCPNCBßV4QMPØʅFOBTPMFOF[SFMBBMJNSUWBWMBLOB
in dense net bags. For transport purposes kapok 1PWJEF[VJO[OBʅJMOJIMBTUOPTUJIKFLBQPL[FMPQPEPCFOWMBLOPN
fibres are compressed into bales of weight 95– svilnic Asclepias, Ceropegia in Calotropis BOHMNJMLXFFEĐCSFT
MF
120 kg and protected with jute or polypropyl- EBTPTMFEOKBNOPHPEBMKØB
ene fabric. The compression must be moderate 7TWFUMPCOFNNJLSPTLPQVTPWMBLOBWJEFUJQSPTPKOB [[OBʅJMOJNJ
as kapok is very brittle and cannot withstand WMVNOV[BKFUJNJ[SBʅOJNJNFIVSʅLJ TMJLB
,PSFOWMBLOBKFOF-
strong stresses. LPMJLP SB[ØJSKFO TMJLB
[ NSFßBTUP [HPØʅFOP DFMJʅOP TUFOP TMJ-
The quality of kapok is evaluated on the basis of LB
QSPUJWSIVTFWMBLOB[PßJKP1SFʅOJQSFSF[WMBLFO TMJLB
KF
the percentage of lignin, diameter of fibres (ka- PWBMFOEPPLSPHFM
pok with more uniform diameter obtains higher Struktura celične stene kapoka se razlikuje od drugih naravnih ce-
value), buoyancy on the alcohol solution with MVMP[OJIWMBLFO1SJNBSOBDFMJʅOBTUFOB LJKFOFQPTSFEOPQPWF[BOB

density 0.928 gcm–3, and relative velocity of fi- TQPWSØJOTLJNJMBTUOPTUNJWMBLFO TFTUPKJJ[LSBULJINJLSPĐCSJMPW LJ
bres wetting and submersion. TPPSJFOUJSBOJQSBWPLPUOPOBQPWSØJOPWMBLFO<>7TFLVOEBSOJDF-
The percentage of lignin is qualitatively evaluat- MJʅOJTUFOJQPUFLBKPNJLSPĐCSJMJTLPSBKW[QPSFEOP[PTKPWMBLOB<>
ed with the microchemical reaction with alcohol
solution of fluoroglucinol and HCl. When ka-
pok is heated with HCl, furfural (C4 H3O·CHO)
is produced from pentoses present in the fibres,
which becomes dyed in the presence of fluoro-
glucinol (C6H3(OH)3 ). Kapok of the best qual-
ity does not undergo any dyeing, whilst kapok
of inferior quality is dyed red-brown to magen-
ta red [5].
Kapok of the highest quality comes from Afri-
ca and Java. The kapok from Ceylon and In-
dia is of lower quality. Java kapok is classified
into three classes: Super Fine Quality (AJK),
Fine Quality (C-Min) and Standard Quality
(C-Off).
Qualitative fibres are produced only from rip- Figure 2: Kapok fibres observed under optical microscope (foto: T.
ened kapok seedpods (Fig. 1). Immature fibres Rijavec)
have low strength, inferior lustre and colour,
and do not withstand stress during compression
into bales. The appearance of immature fibres
can be improved by fermentation in the open
air, however, mechanical properties are not im-
proved with this process.
3 Morphological Structure of Kapok
Kapok is a smooth, unicellular, cylindrically

shaped, twistless fibre. Its cell wall is thin and
covered with a thick layer of wax. A wide lu-
men is filled with air and does not collapse like
cotton. Only immature and dead fibres are flat-
tened. In their appearance and characteris-
tic properties kapok fibres are very similar to
milkweed fibres produced by plants Asclepias, Figure 3: Characteristic widened root of a kapok fibre (foto: M. Leskovšek)
Ceropegia, and Calotropis, only that the latter
are much longer.
Under the light microscope kapok fibres look
transparent with characteristic air bubbles in
the lumen (Fig. 2). Kapok fibres are slightly
widened at their roots (Fig. 3) with a lattice-like
condensed cell wall (Fig. 4) and are narrowing
towards the top. The cross section of fibres (Fig.
5) is oval to round.
The kapok cell wall structure differs from oth-
er natural cellulosic fibres. A primary cell wall,
which is directly related to superficial properties
of fibres, consists of short microfibrils, which Figure 4: Lattice-like end of a kapok fibre (foto: T. Rijavec)

Figure 5: Longitudinal (a) and cross section (b) view of kapok under scanning electronic microscope at 2000×
magnification (foto: M. Leskovšek)
are oriented rectangular to the surface of fibres

[6]. In the secondary cell wall microfibrils run -BTUOPTUJLBQPLB
almost parallel to the fibre axis [7].
Kapok – podobno kot vsa naravna celulozna vlakna – vsebuje
4 Properties of Kapok QSFEWTFNBMGBDFMVMP[P m
JOIFNJDFMVMP[F m
MJH
OJO m
< > PLSPH m WMBHF USHPWTLJ EPEBUFL
Likewise all natural cellulosic fibres, kapok con-
JOOBKWFʅmWPTLPW7NBOKØJILPMJʅJOBIWTFCVKFUVEJ
tains mostly alpha cellulose (35–50%), hemicel- ØLSPC PLSPH CFMKBLPWJOJOBOPSHBOTLFTOPWJ QSFEWTFNßFMF-
luloses (22–45%), lignin (15–22%) [8, 9, 10], [P m
<>
about 10–11% of moisture (commercial addi- 4QFLUSJ '5*3 LBßFKP [OBʅJMOF BCTPSQDJKTLF USBLPWF LBQPLB QSJ
tion 10.9%), and to 2–3% of waxes. It also con- DNm LBS VTUSF[B BTJNFUSJʅOFNV JO TJNFUSJʅOFNV SB[UF[B-
tains smaller quantities of starch, about 2.1% of OKVWF[JW$)JO$) LJTPQSJTPUOPTUOFWWPTLJI
UFSQSJ
proteins, and inorganic substances, notably iron JO DNm (ustrezajo raztezanju C–O vezi v ligni-
(1.3–2.5%) [11]. OV
<>
The FT-IR spectra of kapok show typical absorp- 1P WTFCOPTUJ BMGB DFMVMP[F TF LBQPL CPMK QSJCMJßB MFTV LPU MBOV JO
tion bands: at 2918 cm–1 (corresponds to asym- ESVHJNSBTUMJOTLJNWMBLOPN1PWQSFʅOBTUPQOKBQPMJNFSJ[BDJKFDF-
metrical and symmetrical stretching of bonds MVMP[FWLBQPLV[OBØBHMVLP[OJIPTUBOLPW<> LBSKFQSJNFS-
in CH2 and CH3 that are presented in waxes), MKJWP[CPNCBßFNJOESVHJNJOBSBWOJNJDFMVMP[OJNJWMBLOJ
1600, 1510, 1470, and 1425 cm–1 (correspond -JHOJO LJKFLFNJʅOP[FMP[BQMFUFOBMJGBUTLPBSPNBUTLJPHMKJLPWP-
to stretching of C–O bonds in lignin) [15]. EJL JNBWMPHPQPWF[VKPʅFHBJOLSVTUBNFEDFMVMP[PJONPʅOPSB[-
Considering the content of alpha cellulose, ka- WFKBOPIFNJDFMVMP[P,BQPLWTFCVKFMJHOJO LJKFLFNJʅOP[FMPQP-
pok is liker to wood than flax and other plant EPCFOMJHOJOVWUSEFNMFTVmQPFMFNFOUBSOJTFTUBWJJOWTFCOPTUJ
fibres. The average degree of cellulose polym- NFUPLTJTLVQJO $)0m
3FMBUJWOPWJTPLEFMFßMJHOJOBWLBQPLV
erisation in kapok is 6600 glucose residue [8] TFSB[UPQJQSJLJTMJIPCEFMBWBI-JHOJOKFEPCSPPCTUPKFOQSJWJTP-
which is comparable with cotton and other nat- LJIUFNQFSBUVSBI BPCʅVUMKJW[B67ßBSLF1SJNBSOBDFMJʅOBTUFOB
ural cellulosic fibres. LBQPLBWTFCVKFNBOKMJHOJOBJOWFʅQPMJTBIBSJEPWLPUTFLVOEBSOB
Lignin, which is chemically very complex aliphat- DFMJʅOB TUFOB 7JTPLB WTFCOPTU MJHOJOB W LBQPLV LJ KF EPCSP PE-
ic and aromatic hydrocarbon, has a role of a join- QPSFOOBCBLUFSJKF QPWFʅVKFQSPUJNJLSPCOFTQPTPCOPTUJJ[EFMLPW
ing incrust between cellulose and highly ramified J[LBQPLB,BQPLKFPEQPSFOQSPUJPCJʅBKOJNDFMVMP[OJNCBLUFSJ-
hemicelluloses. Kapok contains lignin, which is KBN/BQBEBKPJOSB[HSBKVKFKPHBMFTOFNJLSPQMFTOJJOCBLUFSJKF LJ
chemically very similar to lignin in hardwood in QPW[SPʅBKPQPWSØJOTLPFSP[JKP TLPSBKBOBFSPCOFCBLUFSJKF
JOMVL
its elementary composition and metoxi groups njičavost (bakterije, ki potrebujejo veliko kisika) kapoka, podobno
(CH3O–) content. A relatively high content of LPUWMFTV< >

lignin in kapok dissolves during acid treatments. )FNJDFMVMP[F TP QPMJIPMPDFMVMP[F [ OJßKP TUPQOKP QPMJNFSJ[BDJKF
Lignin is well resistant at high temperatures but LPU BMGB DFMVMP[B 7 LBQPLV TP QSJTPUOF QSFEWTFN LTJMP[F PLSPH
is sensitive to UV rays. A high content of lignin
JONFUJMHMVLVSPOTLBLJTMJOB PLSPH
)FNJDFMVMP-
in kapok enhances its antimicrobial proper- [FTPIJUSPCJPSB[HSBEMKJWF"MGBDFMVMP[BJOIFNJDFMVMP[FTPPCʅV-
ties. The primary cell wall of kapok contains less UMKJWFKØF[BUFSNJʅOPSB[HSBEOKPLPUMJHOJO WFOEBSNBOKOBHOKFOF
lignin and more polysaccharides than the sec- L67EFHSBEBDJKJLPUMJHOJO
ondary cell wall. A high content of lignin imparts ÂFMF[P JO ESVHJ NJOFSBMJ TF OBIBKBKP WFʅJOPNB W QSJNBSOJ DFMJʅOJ
good antibacterial resistance to kapok. Kapok is TUFOJ WLBUFSJQSFETUBWMKBKPTLVQOPUVEJEPEFMFß7JTPLBWTFC-
resistant to usual bacteria, which digest cellu- OPTU BOPSHBOTLJI TOPWJ W QSJNBSOJ DFMJʅOJ TUFOJ JNB [B QPTMFEJDP
lose. It is attacked and degraded by wood micro- NBOKØPTQPTPCOPTUWF[BOKBWPEFJOQPWFʅBOPUPHPTUWMBLFO
mildew, erosion bacteria (almost anaerobic bac- ,BQPLWTFCVKFPLSPHBDFUJMOJI $)CO–) skupin, zaradi če-
teria), and tunnelling bacteria (bacteria which TBSJNBUVEJQPPETUSBOJUWJQPWSØJOTLJIWPTLPWIJESPGPCOFMBTUOP-
need high amount of oxygen) in the same way as TUJ UP KF [NBOKØBOP TQPTPCOPTU QPWSØKB WMBLFO [B UWPSKFOKF WPEJ-
wood [12, 13]. LPWJIWF[J<>4VSPWBWMBLOBTPJ[SFEOPIJESPGPCOB PMFPĐMOB
JO
Hemicelluloses are polycholocelluloses with a JNBKPWJTPLPLBQBDJUFUPBCTPSQDJKFOFQPMBSOJIUFLPʅJO
lower degree of polymerisation than alpha cel- #BSWB TVSPWFHB LBQPLB KF SVNFOLBTUB SKBWLBTUB BMJ CFMLBTUB 1P-
lulose. Kapok contains especially xyloses (about QPMOPNBCFMBCBSWBKFSFELB7MBLOBTPCSF[WPOKB OFUPLTJʅOBJO
23%) and 4-0-methyil-glucuronic acid (about OFQPW[SPʅBKPBMFSHJK4P[FMPNFILFHBPUJQB QVIBTUBJO[FMPMBI-
5.9%). Hemicelluloses are fast biodegradable. LB QSJCMJßOPØFTULSBUMBßKBPECPNCBßB
,BQPLWTFCVKFm
Alpha cellulose and hemicelluloses are more [SBLBUFSKF[BUPPEMJʅFOUPQMPUOJJO[WPʅOJJ[PMBUPS"CTPMVUOBHP-
sensitive to thermal degradation than lignin but TUPUBDFMJʅOFTUFOFLBQPLBKF HDNm HPTUPUBWMBLOB[VQPØUF-
more resistant to UV degradation than lignin. WBOKFNQSJCMJßOPMVNOBQBMF HDNm<>,BQPLEPCSP
Iron and other minerals are concentrated most- QMBWBOBWPEJ7TUJTOKFOJPCMJLJ[ESßJKPWMBLOBOBWPEJEPLSBU
ly in the primary cell wall in which they might OPTWPKPUFßP4PLSBUCPMKQMPWOBLPUQMVUPWJOBJOTFTVØJKPIJUSF-
represent even a 20% share. Due to a high con- KFPEOKF1MPWOPTUPISBOJKPWMBLOBUVEJQPPETUSBOJUWJWPTLPW<>
tent of inorganic substances in the primary cell, ,BQPL KF OBSBWOP WPUMP WMBLOP [ PEMJʅOJNJ PMFPĐMOJNJ MBTUOPTU-
kapok fibres have lower capability of water ab- NJ [WJTPLPTQPTPCOPTUKPWF[BOKBSB[OJIPMK,BQPLPMKBBCTPSCJSB
sorption and higher resilience. BETPSCJSBJOLBQJMBSOPWTSLBWB0MFPĐMOFMBTUOPTUJQSJQJTVKFKPWPT
Since kapok contains about 13% of acetyl (CH3 LBTUFNVQPWSØKVWMBLFOJOWJTPLJWTFCOPTUJBDFUJMOJITLVQJO WFMJ-
CO–) groups, it preserves the hydrophobic LBLBQBDJUFUBBCTPSQDJKFPMKQBKFQPTMFEJDBØJSPLFHBMVNOBWMBLFO
properties even after the removal of waxes, 0QB[JMJTP EBPMKFQSPESFTLP[JDFMJʅOPTUFOPWMVNFOWMBLOB WPEB
which means the reduced capability of the fi- QBOF»FWFEOPOJQPQPMOPNBSB[KBTOKFOIJUFSJOVʅJOLPWJUNFIB-
bres surface to form hydrogen bonds [8]. Raw OJ[FNBCTPSQDJKFPMKBWLBQPLPWBWMBLOB<>
fibres are extremely hydrophobic (oleophyl- %PMßJOB LBQPLB KF m NN QSFNFS WMBLFO m ϥN %FCFMJ-
lic) with a high capacity of absorbing non-po- OBDFMJʅOFTUFOFKFPLSPHmϥN3B[NFSKFNFEEPMßJOPJOQSF-
lar liquids. NFSPNWMBLFO BTQFLUOPSB[NFSKF
KFPLSPH*[NFSKFOBOBUF[
The colour of raw kapok is yellow to brownish, OB USEOPTU LBQPLB KF D/UFYm .1B
:PVOHPW NPEVM
or whitish. Pure white colour is rare. Fibres are (1BJOQSFUSßOJSB[UF[FL <>
free of odour, non-toxic, and non-allergic. They
have very soft touch, are fluffy, and extremely
light (approximately six times lighter than cot- 6QPSBCBLBQPLB
ton). Kapok contains 70–80% of air and pro-
vides excellent thermal and acoustic insula- /BKTUBSFKØJQBUFOUJ[BQSFEFMBWPLBQPLBTFHBKPW[BʅFUFLQSFKØOKFHB
tion. The absolute density of a kapok cell wall TUPMFUKBUFSPCSBWOBWBKPQPTUPQFLQSFEFOKBLBQPLB<>JOEPEBKB-
is 1.474 gcm–3, whilst the density of fibres by OKFLBQPLBQBQJSOJNBTJ[BJ[CPMKØBOKFMFTLB[JEOJIUBQFU<>,B-
considering about 74% of lumen is only 0.384 QPLØFEBOFTOBKQPHPTUFKFVQPSBCMKBKPLPUQPMOJMP[BSBEJOKFHPWJI
gcm–3 [14]. Kapok boasts with excellent buoy- dobrih toplotnoizolacijskih lastnosti, za zvočno izolacijo ter zaradi
ancy on water. When compressed, kapok fibres PEMJʅOFQMPWOPTUJ[BSFØJMOFKPQJʅFJOPCSPʅF7TPEPCOPTUJLBQPL
can support up to 36 times their own mass on TFHB OB QPESPʅKF UFIOJʅOJI UFLTUJMJK [B ĐMUSBDJKP OFQPMBSOJI TOPWJ
water. They are five times more buoyant than JOOBQPESPʅKFLPNQP[JUPW

cork and dry more quickly than cork. They pre- 5.1 Toplotna in zvočna izolacija
serve buoyancy even after the removal of wax- ,BQPL[BQPMOJMPPʅJTUJKP QPTVØJKPJOOBSFßFKP-BILPHBQSJQSBWJKP
es [5]. OBJTUJTUSPKOJPQSFNJLPUCPNCBß4VSPWBWMBLOBNJLBKP[VQPSB-
Kapok fibres are 10–35 mm long, their diameter CP[SBLB TBKNFIBOTLPNJLBOKFOJQSJQPSPʅMKJWP[BSBEJMPNMKFOKB
is 20–43 μm. The cell wall thickness is about 1– LSILJI WMBLFO JO OBTUBKBOKB WFMJLJI LPMJʅJO QSBIV 4FNFOB JO OB-
3 μm. The length-to-diameter ratio (aspect ratio) TUBMJQSBIPETUSBOKVKFKP[PETFTBWBOKFN
is about 720. The measured tensile strength of ,BQPL VQPSBCMKBKP [B QPMOJMP WJTPLPLBLPWPTUOJI JHSBʅ ÂF MFUB
kapok is 0.84 cNdtex–1 (93.3 MPa), Young’s mod- KF .BSHBSFUF 4UFJć [BʅFMB ØJWBUJ CMB[JOJDF [B CVDJLF W PCMJLJ
ule 4 GPa, and breaking elongation 1.2% [3]. TMPOʅLPW LJKJIKFQP[OFKFSB[WJMBWJHSBʅFJ[ßBNFUBJOQMJØB OBQPM-
OKFOFTLBQPLPN CPNCBßFNBMJĐOPWPMOP<>1PMOJMBJ[LBQP-
5 Use of Kapok LBTP[BPLSPHMBßKBPECPNCBßOJIJO[BPLSPHMBßKBPE
WPMOFOJIQPMOJM
The oldest patents dealing with the processing of 1SJCMJßOPEPMFUBTPLBQPLWFMJLPVQPSBCMKBMJLPUQPMOJMP[BPEF-
kapok go back to the beginning of the last cen- KF CMB[JOFJOQPIJØUWP QP[OFKFTPHBWWFMJLJNFSJOBEPNFTUJMBWP-
tury and describe the method of kapok spin- UMBLFNJʅOBWMBLOBJOEBOFTJ[KFNOPESBHFQPMJVSFUBOTLFQFOF LJTP
ning [16] and its adding to the paper mass to CPMKQSFQSPTUF[BQSPJ[WPEOKPJOOJTPUBLPIJUSPWOFUMKJWFLPULBQPL
improve the lustre of wallpapers [17]. Due to Zaradi odličnih toplotnoizolacijskih sposobnosti, lahkosti in nealer-
its good thermal insulating properties, kapok is HFOPTUJKFOFOBEPNFTUMKJW[BMKVEJ LJOFQSFOBØBKPEPCSPTJOUFUJʅOJI
still today mostly used as a stuffing and for in- NBUFSJBMPW%BOFTTFVQPSBCBLBQPLBQPOPWOPQPWFʅVKF JOTJDFS[B
sulation of sound, and due to its excellent buoy- OPUSBOKPPQSFNPKBIUJOʅPMOPWUFSLPUQPMOJMPCMB[JO[BWSUOPQPIJ-
ancy, for life jackets and lifebelts. Modern use ØUWP,BQPLTLVQBK[ESVHJNJDFMVMP[OJNJWMBLOJWPCMJLJWMBLOPWJ-
of kapok is spreading into the field of techni- OF[BQPMOJMBWOPUSBOKJPQSFNJPNPHPʅBEPCSPVSBWOBWBOKFWMBHFJO
cal textiles for filtration of non-polar substances OBSBWOPQSPUJCBLUFSJKTLP[BØʅJUPCSF[VQPSBCFLFNJLBMJK<>
and into composites. Zaradi odlične toplotnoizolacijske sposobnosti uporabljajo kapok
LPUJ[PMBDJKTLJNBUFSJBMNBOKØJIIMBEJMOJITJTUFNPW6QPSBCMKBKPHB
ĂFSNBMBOE"DPVTUJD*OTVMBUJPO UVEJ[BQPEMPHFTQBMOJIWSFʅ SPLBWJDF[BSBWOBOKFTTVIJNMFEPN
Kapok, which is used for stuffing, must be JQE7QSFUFLMPTUJTPHBVQPSBCMKBMJUVEJ[BUPQMPUOPJ[PMBDJKPWPEP-
cleaned, dried and cut. It can be prepared on WPEOJIDFWJ
the same machinery as cotton. Raw fibres are 7PCMBʅJMJIHBVQPSBCMKBKPLPUQPMOJMP[BQPEMPHF WLBUFSJI[BSB-
carded by using air because mechanical carding EJEPCSFUPQMPUOFJ[PMBDJKFJOOFBMFSHFOPTUJOBEPNFØʅBQFSKF QVI
is not recommended due to breaking of brittle JOTJOUFUJLP
fibres and formation of large quantities of dust. ,BQPLVQPSBCMKBKPUVEJ[B[WPʅOPJ[PMBDJKPCJWBMOJIQSPTUPSPW
Seeds and dust are removed by suction.
Kapok is used as a stuffing for high quality toys. 5.2 Plovnost
Already in 1879 Margarete Steiff began to sew ,BQPLKFDFOKFOLPUQPMOJMP[BSFØJMOFKPQJʅF SFØJMOFQBTPWFJOQSF-
pincushions in the form of elephants, and de- OPTOFQPOUPOF[B[BØʅJUPQSFEVUPQJUWJKP/FTUJTOKFOKBWBOTLJLBQPL
veloped them later into velvet and fleece toys MBILPOPTJmLSBUOPMBTUOPNBTP JOEJKTLJLBQPLQBMFm
stuffed with kapok, cotton, or fine wool [18]. LSBUOPMBTUOPNBTP EBTFOFQPUPQJɂFKBWBOTLJLBQPLQPUPQJKPW
A kapok stuffing is by about 50% lighter than WPEP J[HVCMKBQMPWOPTU[FMPQPʅBTJEOFWOJUFTUKFQPLB[BMMF
a cotton stuffing and by about 30% lighter than J[HVCPQMPWOPTUJ1MPWOPTULBQPLBQSFEVQPSBCP[BSFØJMOFPCSP-
a wool stuffing. ʅFP[JSPNBKPQJʅF[BOFQMBWBMDFWFEOPQSFJ[LVØBKP7MBLOBEBKPW
Kapok had been widely used as a stuffing in NSFßPJ[ßJDFBMJLMFULPTLPWJOTLJNJPKBʅBOJNJSPCPWJUFSKPQPUP-
quilts, pillows, and upholstery until approxi- QJKPWTWFßPWPEPDNQPEHMBEJOP[BVS1PVSBIEPMPʅJKP
mately 1950 when it was substituted by hollow QMPWOPTUWMBLFO UBLPEBTUFIUBKPWMBLOBJOOKJIPWPNBTPQSJNFSKB-
manmade fibres and today very expensive poly- KP[NBTPWMBLFOQSFEUFTUJSBOKFNɂFWTFCOPTUWPEFWLBQPLVOF
urethane foams which were much simpler for VTUSF[BQSFEQJTPN WMBLFOOFVQPSBCJKP[BSFØJMOFKPQJʅF<>
manufacture and less flammable than kapok.
Since kapok is an excellent thermal insulator, 5.3 Sorpcijske sposobnosti
extremely light, and does not cause allergies, it ,BQPLKFQSJNFSFO[BĐMUSBDJKPPMKOJITVTQFO[JK%BOFTTPPMKOJĐM-
is practically irreplaceable for the people who USJ [B ĐMUSBDJKP PEQBEOJI WPEB LPWJOTLF QSFISBNCFOF UFLTUJMOF

do not stand synthetic materials well. Today, VTOKBSTLF QFUSPLFNJʅOFJOESVHFJOEVTUSJKFJ[TJOUFUJʅOJIWMBLFO

kapok has been increasing used for upholstery LPUTPQPMJQSPQJMFOTLB QPMJFTUSTLBBMJQPMJBNJEOBWMBLOB/BSBW-
in yachts, boats and garden furniture. The use na celulozna vlakna vpijejo več olj kot sintetična vlakna, so učin-
of kapok in combination with other cellulosic fi- LPWJUFKØB LPU PMKOJ ĐMUSJ JO QPMFH UFHB UVEJ CJPSB[HSBEMKJWB 4VSPW
bres in the form of nonwovens for furnishings neobdelan kapok zadržuje olje dlje časa kot kapok, ekstrahiran v
enables good regulation of moisture and natu- FUBOPMVBMJLMPSPGPSNV,BQPLJ[TMBELFBMJNPSTLFWPEFTFMFLUJW-
ral antibacterial protection without using any OPBCTPSCJSBPLSPHHPMKBOBHSBNWMBLFO<>1SJHPTUPUJ[MB-
chemicals [19]. HBOKBWMBLFO HDNm je kapaciteta absorpcije dizelskega goriva
Due to its excellent thermal insulating proper- HSBNPWPMKBOBHSBNWMBLFO QSJWFʅKJHPTUPUJ[MBHBOKBWMBLFO
ties, kapok is used as an insulating material in HDNm QBLBQBDJUFUBBCTPSQDJKFEJ[FMTLFHBHPSJWB[OBØBMF
smaller refrigerating systems. It is used as a lin- HSBNPWPMKBOBHSBNWMBLFO<>4TUJTLBOKFNJ[MPʅJKPPMKB [BES-
ing in sleeping bags, gloves for dry ice handling, ßFWBOBWĐMUSV ØFVʅJOLPWJUFKØFQBKFDFOUSJGVHJSBOKF TLBUFSJNKF
etc. In the past it was also used for thermal in- NPHPʅFQSJEPCJUJUVEJOBEPMKB LJHBMBILPQPOPWOPVQPSB-
sulation of conduit pipes. CJKP<>
As it provides good thermal insulation and does 1SBLUJʅOPKFLBQPLVQPSBCFOUVEJ[BNBOKØF QSFOPTOFTFQBSBUPSKF
not cause allergies, kapok is used as a filling of [BPMKFWPEP<>1SBWUBLPKFQSJNFSFO[BQSFEĐMUSBDJKPWPEB LJKJ
the clothing linings instead of feathers, down, TMFEJNFNCSBOTLBĐMUSBDJKB<>6ʅJOLPWJUPHBMBILPVQPSBCJKP[B
and synthetic materials. [CJSBOKFSB[MJUFOBĔFWSFLBIJONPSKV<>
Kapok is also used for acoustic insulation of 1PQPMOPNBCJPSB[HSBEMKJWFPMKOFBCTPSCFSKFOFQPMBSOJITOPWJMBI-
dwelling rooms. LPJ[EFMBKPJ[LBQPLBCSF[BEJUJWPW MFQJM
QPQPTUPQLVTF-
HSFWBOKBNBUFSJBMBOBUFNQFSBUVSPTUFLMBTUFHBQSFIPEBWTFCVKPʅJI
#VPZBODZ IFNJDFMVMP[ UBKFPEWJTOBPETUPQOKFIJESJSBOKBIFNJDFMVMP[JOTF
Kapok is highly appreciated as a stuffing in life- [OJßB[PNPʅFOKFN
JOTUJTLBOKBTFHSFUFHBNBUFSJBMB.FETFHSF-
jackets, lifebelts, and mobile pontoons to pro- WBOKFN QSJ m $ QSFJEFKP IFNJDFMVMP[F W HFM NFE TUJTLBO
vide protection from drowning. The non-com- KFNLSBUFLʅBTQSJUFNQFSBUVSJm$QBTFWMBLOBQPWFßF-
pressed Java kapok can support, on water, a KPNFETFCPK<>/BUBOBʅJOQPWFʅBKPUSEOPTULPOʅOFHBJ[EFMLB
mass which exceeds its own mass by as much as 5FNQFSBUVSFOBE$QPW[SPʅJKPPLTJEBDJKTLPEFHSBEBDJKPWMB-
20–30 times, whilst Indian kapok can support LFO%PEBUFLOBKWFʅmUVKJIPKBʅJUWFOJIWMBLFOKFØFTQSFKFN
only a mass which exceeds its own mass by 10– MKJW LFSPCQPWFʅBOJOBUF[OJUSEOPTUJOF[NBOKØBTPSQDJKTLFLBQB-
15 times until submersion. If Java kapok is im- DJUFUFLBQPLB
mersed into water, it looses its buoyancy very "CTPSCFSKJJ[LBQPLBWPCMJLJĐMUSPW HPCBMJCMBHBTPQSJNFSOJ[B
slowly. A 30-day test has shown only a 10% loss J[MPʅBOKFNB[BMOJIJONPUPSOJIPMK CBSW IFSCJDJEPW GVOHJDJEPWJO
of buoyancy. Prior to using kapok for lifebelts QFTUJDJEPW BSPNBUTLJI TOPWJ HPSMKJWJI JO SBEJPBLUJWOJI TOPWJ UFS
and lifejackets for non-swimmers buoyancy QPEPCOJITOPWJJ[QMJOBTUJI [SBLB
JOUFLPʅJI WPEF
NFEJKFWBMJ
of kapok is always tested. Fibres are put into a [BʅJØʅFOKFUBM
wire mesh or a cage with metal reinforced edg- 7 SB[JTLBWJ TPSQDJKF [ESBWKV ØLPEMKJWJI QPMJDJLMJʅOJI BSPNBUTLJI
es, and immersed into fresh water 30 cm un- PHMKJLPWPEJLPW 1")T
LJ OBTUBKBKP QSJ OFQPQPMOFN HPSFOKV JO
der the surface for 48 hours. After 48 hours the QSFIBKBKP J[ [SBLB W WPEP TP VHPUPWJMJ TMBCØP TQPTPCOPTU LBQPLB
buoyancy of fibres is determined by weighing fi- [BWF[BOKF1")TJ[WPEFWQSJNFSKBWJTQPMJFTUSTLJNJJOSPHP[PWJ-
bres and by comparing the mass with the mass NJWMBLOJ<>
of fibres prior to testing. If the content of water ,BQPL VQPSBCMKBKP W NFEJDJOJ LPU BCTPSQDJKTLJ NBUFSJBM LJ OB-
in kapok differs from the prescribed one, fibres EPNFØʅBCPNCBß-BILPWQJKFUVEJEPLSBUWFʅKPNBTPWPEF
are not used for lifejackets [20]. PEMBTUOFNBTF7USPQTLJIQSFEFMJITPHB[BUPVQPSBCMKBMJ[BLJ-
SVSØLBPCMBʅJMB
4PSQUJWJUZPGOPOQBEBSMJRVJET
Kapok is a natural hollow fibre, which has ex- 5.4 Kapok v kompozitih
cellent oleophyllic properties with a high capa- Rastlinska vlakna (lan, konopljo, juto, sisal in kokos) vse več upo-
bility of absorbing, desorbing, and capillary im- SBCMKBKP [B PKBʅJUFW QPMJNFSOJI LPNQP[JUPW 0KBʅJUFW QPMJNFSOF
bibing of various oils. Oleophyllic properties are NBUSJDFKFPEWJTOBPEEPCSFBEIF[JKFNFEWMBLOJJONBUSJDP LJKP
attributed to the waxy surface of fibres and to J[CPMKØBKP [ PETUSBOJUWJKP QPWSØJOTLJI WPTLPW JO LFNJʅOP NPEJĐ-

the high content of acetyl groups, whilst high ca- LBDJKPWMBLFO QSFEWTFN[BMLBMJ[JSBOKFNBMJBDFUJMJSBOKFN< >
pability of oil absorption is attributed to a wide "MLBMJ[JSBOKF LBQPLB WQMJWB OB UPQPHSBGTLF TQSFNFNCF QPWSØKB
lumen of fibres. It has been noticed that oil pen- WMBLFOJOOBJ[CPMKØBOKFLSJTUBMOFTUSVLUVSFSB[UPQJOB/B0)
etrates through the fibre cell wall into its lumen, OF QPW[SPʅJ WJEOJI TQSFNFNC OB QPWSØKV LBQPLB SB[UPQJ-
which is not the case with water. However, OB/B0)QBQPW[SPʅJSB[CSB[EBOKFQPWSØKBJOQPWFʅBOKFTQFDJĐʅ-
quick and efficient mechanism of oil absorption OFQPWSØJOFLBQPLB<> LBSKFQPTMFEJDBPETUSBOJUWFIFNJDFMVMP[
has not been completely explained yet [21]. JOMJHOJOB7JTPLFLPODFOUSBDJKFBMLBMJKMBILPQPTMBCØBKPUFSNJʅOP
Kapok is suitable for filtration of oil suspen- PEQPSOPTU LBQPLB "DFUJMJSBOKF IJESPLTJMOJI TLVQJO [NBOKØB QP-
sions. Oil filters for filtration of wastewaters MBSOPTULBQPLBJOQPWFʅBBEIF[JWOPTUTIJESPGPCOPQPMJNFSOPNB-
discharged by metal, food, textile, leather, pet- USJDP,FNJʅOBSFBLUJWOPTUKF[BSBEJWJTPLFWTFCOPTUJIFNJDFMVMP[
rochemical, and other industries are today in lignina ter nižje kristaliničnosti, s katero je povezana dosto-
made of synthetic fibres, such as polypropyl- QOPTUIJESPLTJMOJITLVQJOOBQPWSØKVJOWBNPSGOJIQSFEFMJIWMB-
ene, polyester, or polyamide fibres. In compar- LFO VʅJOLPWJUFKØBQSJLBQPLVLPUQSJLPOPQMKJ TJTBMVJOKVUJ
ison with synthetic fibres, natural cellulosic fi- 1SJ QSJQSBWJ UFSNPTUBCJMOJI QPMJFTUSTLJI LPNQP[JUPW PKBʅBOJI T
bres absorb higher quantities of oils, are better ULBOJOPJ[LBQPLBJOCPNCBßB ,1$0
TP[BJ[CPMKØBOKFBEIF[J-
oil filters, and are also biodegradable. Raw, un- KFWMBLFOTQPMJFTUSPNULBOJOPOBKQSFKNFSDFSJ[JSBMJW/B0)
treated kapok retains oil longer than kapok ex- QSJʅFNFSTPPETUSBOJMJWPTLFJOQFLUJO<>/BUF[OBUSEOPTUP[J-
tracted in ethanol or chloroform. Kapok se- SPNBNPEVMTUBTFTQPWFʅFWBOKFNLPMJʅJOFWMBLFOQPTMBCØBMB J[-
lectively absorbs about 40 g of oil per gram of CPMKØBMB QB TUB TF VQPHJCOB USEOPTU JO VQPHJCOJ NPEVM 6QPSBCB
fibres from freshwater or seawater [21]. When UFILPNQP[JUPW[BQPDFOJTJMPTF[BßJUP [BØPMTLF[HSBECFJOPIJØ-
the density of fibres arrangement is 0.02 gcm–3, KBKFØFQPTFCFKTNPUSOBWSFWOJIEFßFMBI WLBUFSJIUBWMBLOBUVEJ
the capability of Diesel fuel absorption is 36 g QSJEPCJWBKP
of oil per gram of fibres. At a higher density of 5LBOJOFJ[,1$0TPQSJNFSOF[BPKBʅJUFWJ[PUBLUJʅOFHBQPMJQSP-
fibres arrangement, i.e. 0.09 gcm–3, the capaci- QJMFOBWLPNQP[JUJI[OJßKPNFIBOTLPUSEOPTUKP<>"MLBMJ[JSBOKF
ty of Diesel fuel absorption is only 7.9 g of oil JOBDFUJMJSBOKFULBOJOFJ[,1$0TUB[BSBEJ[OJßBOKBEFMFßBLSJTUBMJ-
per gram of fibres [15]. Oils, which are retained OFGB[FWQMJWBMJOB[OJßBOKFOBUF[OFUSEOPTUJLPNQP[JUBWQSJNFSKB-
in a filter, can be extracted either by squeezing WJTLFNJʅOPOFPCEFMBOPULBOJOP
or more efficiently by centrifuging where even
more than 83% of oil can be extracted; the ex- 5.5 Kapok v prehrani
tracted oil can be reused [22]. Zaradi odličnega vezanja olj so kapok uporabili tudi za selektivno iz-
Kapok is also very suitable for smaller, mobile MPʅBOKFOBTJʅFOJINBØʅPCJ[ʅMPWFØLFHBUFMFTB,BQPLOFWFßFWPEF
water/oil separators [22]. Another field of use [BUP JNB QSFEOPTU QSFE LPOWFODJPOBMOJNJ SBTUMJOTLJNJ WMBLOJ ,B-
is for pre-filtration of waters, which is followed QPL [NFMKFKP W QSBI JO HB EPEBKP LSVIV QJØLPUPN UFS QPEPCOJN
by membrane filtration [15]. It can be efficient- QSFISBNCFOJN J[EFMLPN ,PU PMKOJ BCTPSCFS LBQPLPW QSBI MBILP
ly used for collecting spilled oil on the surface of VʅJOLVKF[ESBWJMOP%PEBOßJWJMPN OQSLSVIV
BMJTUJTOKFOWUBCMF-
rivers and seas [23]. UBIWUFMFTVWFßFPEWFʅOBPMKB OBTJʅFOFNBØʅPCOFLJTMJOF
<>
Fully biodegradable oil sorbents of non-polar /B5BKTLFNTPPQSBWJMJVTQFØOFSB[JTLBWFQSFEFMBWFLBQPLBWNJ-
substances can be manufactured from 100% krokristalino celulozo, ki v zadnjih letih prodira na področje pre-
kapok without additives (glues) by heating the ISBOFJOGBSNBDJKFLPUQPMOJMP [HPTUJMPBMJTUBCJMJ[BUPS[BSBEJTWPKF
material to the glass transition temperature of Đ[JPMPØLFJOFSUOPTUJ WBSOPTUJJOTUBCJMOPTUJ<>
the contained hemicelluloses (it depends on the
degree of hydration of these hemicelluloses, and 5.6 Predenje kapoka
it decreases by wetting) and by compressing the Kapok le redko predejo, saj so vlakna krhka ter zato zdržijo nizke
heated material. During heating at 90–120 °C OBUF[OFJOUPS[JKTLFTJMF7MBLOBJNBKP[BSBEJHMBELFHBQPWSØKBJO
hemicelluloses pass over into gel, and during WJTPLFWTFCOPTUJWPTLPWTMBCPLPIF[JWOPTU;BUPLBQPLWFEOPQSF-
compressing at the temperture 170–190 °C for EFKP W NFØBOJDBI [ ESVHJNJ WMBLOJ QSFEWTFN [ CPNCBßFN 4SF-
a short time interlinking of fibres occurs. [24] In EJQSFKØOKFHBTUPMFUKBTPHBQSFEFMPWBMJMFWHSPCFQSFKFEPUFY
this way, the strength of the end product is in- WNFØBOJDBI[CPNCBßFNQBEPUFY1SFEQSFEFOKFNTPLBQPL
creased. Temperatures above 220 °C induce ox- PCEFMBMJ [ BMLPIPMPN FUSPN BMJ ESVHJNJ UPQJMJ T LBUFSJNJ TP PE-
idative degradation of fibres. The addition of no TUSBOJMJ WPTLF JO EPTFHMJ CPMK ISBQBWP QPWSØKF 1SFKP J[ LBQPLB TP

more than 3–10% of foreign reinforcing fibres is VQPSBCMKBMJ[BQMJØFJOUSBLPWF QSJLBUFSJIKFQSJØFMEPJ[SB[BLBQP-

still acceptable, as such percentage does not de- LPWMFTL<>
teriorate the sorptivity of kapok. "OHMFØLJQBUFOUJ[MFUBPQJTVKFNFUPEPQSPJ[WPEOKFʅJTUFLB-
Sorbents made of kapok in the form of filters, QPLPWF QSFKF J[ LBQPLPWJI WMBLFO <> "NFSJØLJ QBUFOU J[ MFUB
sponges, or fabrics are suitable for separation <> PQJTVKF J[EFMBWP PQMBØʅFOF QSFKF [ KFESPN J[ CPNCBßB
of lubricant oils and motor oils, dyestuffs, her- WPMOF BMJ TWJMF JO QMBØʅFN J[ LBQPLPWJI WMBLFO ,BQPLPWB WMBLOB
bicides, fungicides and pesticides, aromat- TPQSJMFQJMJOBKFESPQSFKFTQSJUJTLBOKFNJOCSF[WJUKBWMBLFO1PTB-
ic substances, flammable and radioactive ma- NF[OFQSFKFTPNFETFCPKWJMJWOJUJ[BQMFUFOKFBMJULBOKF7QMFUJWV
terials, and similar substances from gaseous so bile preje prečno prepletene z ojačevalno nitjo, da kapok ni iz-
(air) and liquid (water) media or for floor QBEBM5FOJUJTPCJMFQSJNFSOF[BJ[EFMBWPPEFK PCMBʅJM J[PMBDJKTLJI
cleaning, etc. QPEMPH[BMFUBMB IMBEJMOJLFJQE1SJTBNJQSFEFMBWJPQMBØʅFOJIQSFK
The results of the researches of sorptivity of TPTFNPSBMJJ[PHJCBUJQSFWFMJLFNV[WJKBOKVWMBLFOJOQSFKF
health hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocar- *[CPMKØBOKF QSFEJMOPTUJ JO NFIBOTLF USEOPTUJ TP QPTLVØBMJ EPTFʅJ
bons (PAHs), which are generated during in- [ PCEFMBWP LBQPLB W FNVM[JKBI TJMJLPOB BLSJMPOJUSJMB NFMBNJOB
complete combustion and which pass from the GPSNBMEFIJEB TFʅOJOFJOWJOJMOJINPOPNFSPW<>1SJOBOBØBOKV
air into the water, show that the kapok’s capa- TJOUFUJʅOJIQSFNB[PWKFQPNFNCOPQSFQSFʅJUJQSPEJSBOKFFNVM[J-
bility of absorbing PAHs from water is lower KFWMVNFOWMBLFO0CEFMBOBWMBLOBEPCJKPHSPCP OFFOBLPNFSOP
than that of polyester and reed fibres [25]. WBMPWJUPQPWSØKF LJJ[CPMKØBQSFEJMOFJOFMBTUJʅOFMBTUOPTUJUFSQPWF-
Kapok is also used in medicine as absorbing ʅBWPEPOFQSFQVTUOPTU
material instead of cotton. It is capable of ab- +BQPOTLJQBUFOUJ[MFUBPCSBWOBWBQSFKFWNFØBOJDBI[EP
sorbing a mass of water, which is even to 30 LBQPLBJOCMBHPJ[UBLØOJIQSFK LJEPTFHBEPCSPTWFUMPCOPPC-
times higher than its own mass. In tropical are- TUPKOPTU CFMJOP OJ[LP UFßP J[CPMKØBOF UPQMPUOPJ[PMBDJKTLF MBTUOP-
as, kapok was used for surgeon clothing. TUJ IJHSPTLPQJʅOPTUJOEPCSPPCBSWMKJWPTU<>
-FUBTUB&OTIFOH-JJO-POHRVBO9JB ,JUBKTLB
QBUFOUJSB-
,BQPLJO$PNQPTJUFT MB QPTUPQFL QSTUBOTLFHB QSFEFOKB LBQPLB *[IPEOB TVSPWJOB KF
Plant fibres (such as hemp, jute, flax, sisal, and NFØBOJDBLBQPLB mVU
[CPNCBßFNBMJESVHJNJWMBLOJ
coconut fibres) are increasingly used for rein- .FØBOJDP WMBLFO EWBLSBU NJLBKP TMFEJ EWBLSBUOP SB[UF[BOKF JO
forcement of polymer composites. Reinforce- QSFEFOKF1SFKB UFYKFEPTFHMBQSFUSßOPTJMPD/JOTQF-
ment of a polymer matrix is dependent on DJĐʅOPQSFUSßOPOBQFUPTU D/UFYmUFSQSFUSßOJSB[UF[FL
good adhesion between the fibres and the ma- <>
trix, which can be improved by removing su-
perficial waxes and by chemical modification
of fibres, notably by alkalisation and acethyl- ;BLMKVǊFL
ation [31, 32]. Alkalisation of kapok induces
topographic changes of the fibres surface and Kapok je biorazgradljivo naravno vlakno, danes tudi cenovno kon-
improves the crystalline structure of fibres. The LVSFOʅOP TJOUFUJʅOJN NBUFSJBMPN ;BSBEJ EPCSJI UPQMPUOPJ[PMBDJK-
8% solution of NaOH does not induce any vis- TLJIMBTUOPTUJKFQSJNFSOP[BQPMOJMPCMB[JO PCMBʅJM JHSBʅJQE [BSB-
ible changes on the surface of kapok, where- EJEPCSFQMPWOPTUJOBWPEJ[B[BØʅJUOFKPQJʅF CMB[JOFJQEUFS[BSBEJ
as the 40% solution of NaOH makes the sur- EPCSJITPSQDJKTLJIJOQSPUJCBLUFSJKTLJIMBTUOPTUJ[BNFEJDJOTLFOBNF-
face furrowed and enlarges the specific surface OF7JTPLBWTFCOPTUWPTLPW BOPSHBOTLJITOPWJJOBDFUJMOJITLVQJOW
of kapok [33], which is the result of the remov- QSJNBSOJDFMJʅOJTUFOJEBKFWMBLOVIJESPGPCFO[OBʅBK LJTFLBßFWOJ[-
al of hemicelluloses and lignin. High concen- LFNTUJʅOFNLPUV[SB[MJʅOJNJPMKJJOWJTPLFNTUJʅOFNLPUV[WPEP
trations of alkalis can deteriorate the thermal 6QPSBCBLBQPLB[BPMKOFBCTPSCFSKFKFNPHPʅBCSF[QSFEIPEOFLF-
stability of kapok. Acethylation of hydroxyl NJʅOFPCEFMBWFWMBLFO0MKOJBCTPSCFSKJJ[LBQPLBTPQPDFOJBMUFSOB-
groups decreases the polarity of kapok and in- UJWBTJOUFUJʅOJNBCTPSCFSKFN»JSPLMVNFO PLSPHWMBLOB
PNP-
creases its adhesivity with a hydrophobic poly- HPʅB[BESßFWBOKFWFMJLFLPMJʅJOFPMK LJKJIMBILPQPOPWOPVQPSBCJKP
mer matrix. Since kapok contains a high per- ,BQPLMBILPCFMJNPJOTFEPCSPPCBSWB/J[LBUSEOPTU HMBELPQP-
centage of hemicelluloses and lignin and has WSØKFWMBLFOJOQSFNBKIOBEPMßJOBWMBLFOTPW[SPL[BTMBCFQSFEJM-
also lower crystallinity to which accessibili- OF TQPTPCOPTUJ LBQPLB LJ OB TQMPØOP OF [BEPØʅBKP [BIUFWBN [B
ty of hydroxyl groups on the surface and in VTQFØOPQSFEFMBWPLBQPLBQPLPOWFODJPOBMOJIQSFEJMOJIQPTUPQ-

the amorphous regions of fibres is related, its LJI4QFDJBMOFUFIOPMPHJKF[BQSFEFMBWPLBQPLBOJOBWPMKP1PMFH

chemical reactivity is more efficient than that IJUSFWOFUMKJWPTUJ LSILPTUJJOOFFMBTUJʅOPTUJTUBNBKIOBEPMßJOBWMB-
of hemp, sisal, or jute. LFOJOTMBCBLPIF[JWOPTUPTOPWOJPWJSJWFʅKFSB[ØJSKFOPTUJLBQPLB
In the case of thermally stable polyester compos- OBQPESPʅKVPCMBʅJM
ites reinforced with a kapok/cotton fabric, the
adhesivity of fibres with a polyester fabric was
improved by first mercerising the fabric in 5% -JUFSBUVSB
NaOH to remove waxes and pectin [34]. The
tensile strength/module deteriorated with the 4*45*40m5FLTUJMJKFm/BSBWOBWMBLOBm3PEPWOB
increase of the quantity of fibres, whereas flex- JNFOBJOEFĐOJDJKF
ing strength/module improved. The use of these ("..0/4 '$$MFBOJOHBOETFQBSBUJOHLBQPLĐCFSGSPN
composites for cheaper corn silos, school build- JUT TFFE BOE JNQVSJUJFT US Patent 907,330 %FDFNCFS
ings, and casings is reasonable in poor countries
in which these fibres are produced. .8"*,".#0 -:3FWJFXPGUIFIJTUPSZ QSPQFSUJFTBOEBQ-
Fabrics made of kapok/cotton blends are suit- QMJDBUJPOPGQMBOUĐCSFTAfrican Journal of Science and Technolo-
able for reinforcement of isotactic polypro- gy, Science and Engineering Series WPM Qm
pylene for composites with lower mechani- 5SBEFBOE4VTUBJOBCMF'PSFTU.BOBHFNFOUm*NQBDUTBOE*OUF-
cal strength [35]. The decrease of the tensile SBDUJPOT"OBMZUJD4UVEZPGUIF(MPCBM1SPKFDU($1*/5
strength of composites in comparison with +1/*NQBDU"TTFTTNFOUPG'PSFTU1SPEVDUT5SBEFJOUIF1SP-
chemically untreated fabrics is the result of al- NPUJPOPG4VTUBJOBCMF'PSFTU.BOBHFNFOU"//&9-JTUPG
kalisation and acethylation of kapok/cotton /8'1PGDPNNFSDJBMTJHOJĐDBODFIUUQXXXGBPPSH
fabrics by which the content of a crystalline EPDSFQBFFBFFIUN1@
phase is decreased. ."6&34#&3(&3 )3Matthews’ textile fibers. The physical,
microscopic, and chemical propertiesSixth edition/FX:PSL
,BQPLJO/VUSJUJPO +PIO8JMFZ4POT -POEPO$IBQNBO)BMM
Due to excellent absorption of oils, kapok was '&/(&- % BOE 8&/;,084,* . 4UVEJFT PO LBQPL
also used for selective elimination of saturated &MFDUSPONJDSPTDPQJD PCTFSWBUJPOT Holzforschung WPM
fats from a human body. Since kapok does not Qm
absorb water, it has advantage over convention- ,)"-*-* 4 %"/*&- (BOE/*-440/ 56TFPGTPĔSPUGVO-
al plant fibres. Kapok is ground into powder and HJGPSTUVEJFTPOUIFNJDSPTUSVDUVSFPGLBQPL $FJCBQFOUBOESB

added to bread, biscuits and similar alimentary ĐCSFDFMMXBMMTHolzforschung WPM Qm
products. As oil sorbent, kapok can have a heal- '&/(&- %BOE13;:,-&/, .4UVEJFTPOLBQPL$IF-
ing effect. Added to alimentary products (e.g. NJDBM*OWFTUJHBUJPOHolzforschung WPM Qm
bread) or compressed into pills, kapok absorbs ;"1' ' ¾CFS ,BQPL$FMMVMPTF Makromolekulare Chemie,
excessive oils (saturated fatty acids) [36]. WPM Qm
In Thailand, successful researches were carried 5*.&-- 5&"OPUFPOUIFNPMFDVMBSXFJHIUPGUXPTFFEIBJS
out about kapok processing into microcrystal- DFMMVMPTFTTextile Research Journal WPM Qm
line cellulose which has been recently penetrat- "34&/*+&7*Ɂ .-Tekstilna vlakna#FPHSBE/BVʅOBLOKJ-
ing into the food and pharmaceutical industry HB
as a filling agent, thickener, or stabilizer due /*-440/ 5 BOE #+¸3%"- $ ĂF VTF PG LBQPL ĐCSFT GPS
to its physiologic inertness, safety and stabili- FOSJDINFOU DVMUVSFT PG MJHOPDFMMVMPTFEFHSBEJOH CBDUFSJB In-
ty [37]. ternational Biodeterioration & Biodegradation WPM Q
m
4QJOOJOHPG,BQPL /*-440/ 5 BOE #+¸3%"- $ $VMUVSJOH XPPEEFHSBEJOH
Since kapok fibres are very brittle and can with- FSPTJPOCBDUFSJBInternational Biodeterioration & Biodegrada-
stand only low tensile and torsional forces, ka- tion WPM Qm
pok is rarely spun. Due to the smooth surface .8"*,".#0 - : BOE "/4&-- . 1 ĂF EFUFSNJOBUJ-
and a high content of waxes, kapok fibres have POPGQPSPTJUZBOEDFMMVMPTFDPOUFOUPGQMBOUĐCFSTCZEFOTJUZ
low cohesivity. For that reason kapok is al- NFUIPETJournal of Material Science Letters WPM Q
ways spun in blends with other fibres, mostly m

cotton. In the middle of the last century kapok -*. 55BOE)6"/( 9&WBMVBUJPOPGIZESPQIPCJDJUZPMF-
was processed only into coarse yarns up to 25 PQIJMJDJUZPGLBQPLBOEJUTQFSGPSNBODFJOPJMZXBUFSĐMUSBUJPO
tex, and in blends with cotton up to 50 tex. Pri- DPNQBSJTPOPGSBXBOETPMWFOUUSFBUFEĐCFSTIndustrial Crops
or to spinning kapok was treated with alcohol, and Products WPM Qm
ether or other solvents in order to remove wax- 8"554 8 $ .FUIPE PG GPSNJOH LBQPL ZBSO US Patent
es and to achieve a coarse surface. Kapok yarn 2,292,500"VHVTU
was used for fleeces and ribbons to which it im- -&/%-& " 1BQFS NBEF GSPN LBQPL ĐCFS US Patent
parted a typical lustre [26]. 1,450,600"QSJM
The United Kingdom patent from 1940 de- $JOFBTUFTQIPUPTUSFBNIUUQXXXēJDLSDPNQIPUPT
scribes the method of producing pure kapok DJOFBTUF<BDDFTTFE>
yarn from kapok fibres [27]. The US patent 0#&34$)&-1 " .JYFE ĐCFS ēFFDF PS GBCSJD US Patent
from 1942 [16] describes the manufacture of 20070082574. 7"VHVTU
wrapped yarn containing a cotton, wool, or silk &MFDUSPOJD DPEF PG 'FEFSBM 3FHVMBUJPO IUUQFDGSHQPBDDFTT
core and a kapok wrapping. Kapok fibres were HPWDHJUUFYUUFYUJEY DFDGSSHOEJWWJFXUFYUOPEF
stuck to the yarn core by pressing and without JEOP<BDDFTTFE>
twisting. Then, individual yarns were inter- )03* , '-"7*&3 .&BOE,6(" 4&YDFMMFOUPJMBCTPS-
twisted into the threads for knitting or weav- CFOULBQPL $FJCBQFOUBOESB-
ĐCFSĐCFSTUSVDUVSF DIFNJ-
ing. Yarns in knitwear were crossly interlaced DBM DIBSBDUFSJTUJDT BOE BQQMJDBUJPO Journal of Wood Science,
with a reinforcing thread in order to prevent WPM Qm
kapok from falling out. These kapok yarns were -*. 55BOE)6"/( 9&WBMVBUJPOPGLBQPL $FJCBQFO-
suitable for manufacture of beddings, clothing, UBOESB -
(BFSUO
BTBOBUVSBMIPMMPXIZESPQIPCJDPMFPQIJ-
insulating linings for airplanes, refrigerators, MJDĐCSPVTTPSCFOUGPSPJMTQJMMDMFBOVQChemosphere WPM
etc. During processing of such wrapped yarns Qm
excessive twisting of fibres and yarn had to be )6"/( 9 BOE -*. 5 5 1FSGPSNBODF BOE NFDIBOJTN PG
avoided. BIZESPQIPCJDPMFPQIJMJDLBQPLĐMUFSGPSPJMXBUFSTFQBSBUJPO
There were trials to improve the spinnability Desalination WPM Qm
and mechanical strength of kapok by treating "$)5&3&&,5& . ) # BOE "%*."3(0/0 4 7 .F-
it in emulsions of silicone, acrylonitrile, mela- UIPEBOEEFWJDFGPSNBOVGBDUVSJOHNBUFSJBMTGSPNIZESPQIP-
mine, formaldehyde, urea, and vinyl monomers CJD IPMMPX OBUVSBM ĐCSFT BOE VTF UIFSFPG WO 2008/004863
[28]. When applying synthetic coatings, it is A1KBOVBS
important that penetration of the emulsion into ,)"/ & ,)"0%)*3 4 BOE 3058*30/ 1 1PMZDZDMJD
the fibre lumen is prevented. The treated fibres BSPNBUJD IZESPDBSCPO SFNPWBM GSPN XBUFS CZ OBUVSBM ĐCFS
obtain coarse, unequal wavelike surface, which TPSQUJPOWater Environmental Research WPM Qm
improves the spinning properties, elasticity, and
water-resistance of kapok fibres. ,0ɂ&7"3 'Tekstilne surovine-KVCMKBOB%;4
The Japanese patent from 2001 deals with the 480:&3 +%1SPDFTTPGUSFBUJOHLBQPL641BUFOU
yarns in blends containing up to 20% of kapok, +BOVBS
and the fabrics made from such yarns, which 4",":"/(* 41SPDFTTPGJNQSPWJOHQSPQFSUJFTPGLBQPLĐ-
exhibit good fastness to light, whiteness, low CFSBOEMJLFĐCFSTBOEUFYUJMFNBUFSJBMTNBEFUIFSFPGUS Pa-
weight, better thermal insulating properties, hy- tent 3,032,855. 8.BZ
groscopicity, and good dyeability [29]. /"(")"36 :BOE/03*0 "'JCFSTUSVDUVSFNJYFEXJUI
In 2007 Ensheng Li and Longquan Xia (Kita- LBQPLTFFEIBJSĐCFSBOEDMPUIJOHQSPEVDUVTJOHUIFTBNFJP
jska) took out a patent for the kapok ring spin- 2001348743, 21%FDFNCFS
ning method. The initial raw material is the &/4)&/( - BOE-0/(26"/ 9"NFUIPEGPSQSPEVDJOH
blend of kapok (20–80 wt.%) with cotton or LBQPLTDSJCCMFECZSJOHTQJOOJOHEP 1867763 A2 %FDFN-
other fibres. The fibre blend is carded two times, CFS
after that it is drawn two times and spun. The .8"*,".#0 -:BOE"/4&-- .1 +VOF
$IF-
breaking force of the yarn 25.36 tex was 275 NJDBMNPEJĐDBUJPOPGIFNQ TJTBM KVUF BOELBQPLĐCFSTCZBM-
cN, its tenacity 10.7 cNdtex–1, and its breaking LBMJ[BUJPOJournal of Applied Polymer Science WPM Q
elongation 6.6% [30]. m

6 Conclusion .8"*,".#0 - : BOE "/4&-- . 1 ĂF FćFDU PG DIF-
NJDBMUSFBUNFOUPOUIFQSPQFSUJFTPGIFNQ TJTBM KVUFBOELB-
Kapok is a biodegradable organic fibre, which QPLGPSDPNQPTJUFSFJOGPSDFNFOUAngewandte Makromoleku-
can compete with synthetic materials also lare Chemie WPM Qm
in terms of price. Its good thermal insulating &*$))03/ 4 + #"*--*& $ " ;"'&*30106-04 /
properties make kapok suitable for stuffing pil- .8"*,".#0 - : "/4&-- . 1 %6'3&4/& " &/-
lows, clothing, toys, etc., its good buoyancy on 58*45-& , . )&33&3"'3"/$0 1 + &4$".*--"
water makes it suitable for lifejackets, mat- ($ (300. - )6()&4 . )*-- $ 3*"-4 5( BOE
tresses, and other water-safety equipment, and 8*-% 1.3FWJFX$VSSFOUJOUFSOBUJPOBMSFTFBSDIJOUPDFMMV-
its good sorptivity and antimicrobial prop- MPTJDĐCSFTBOEDPNQPTJUFTJournal of Materials Science
erties make it suitable for medical purposes. WPM Qm
A high content of waxes, inorganic substanc- .8"*,".#0 -:BOE#*4"/%" &5/ĂFQFSGPSNBO-
es and acethyl groups in the primary cell wall DF PG DPUUPOLBQPL GBCSJDQPMZFTUFS DPNQPTJUFT Polymer Te-
imparts to kapok fibres hydrophobic proper- sting WPM Qm
ties, which are exhibited in a low contact an- .8"*,".#0 - : ."3564$&--* & BOE "7&--" .
gle with various oils and a high contact angle ,BQPLDPUUPO GBCSJDQPMZQSPQZMFOF DPNQPTJUFT Polymer Te-
with water. The use of kapok for oil sorbents sting WPM Qm
is possible without previous chemical treat- ."460 , ,BQPL QMBOU ĐCFS QPXEFSDPOUBJOJOH GPPE JP
ment of fibres. Oil sorbents made of kapok are 2005013186 +BOVBSZ
a price effective alternative to synthetic sorb- 467"$)*55"/0/5 4 BOE 4655*1)0/1"3/*5 ,
ents. A wide lumen (about 74% of a fibre) en- .JDSPDSZTUBMMJOFDFMMVMPTFGSPNLBQPLThe Fourth Asia Paci-
ables retention of high amounts of oils, which fic Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental Tech-
can be reused. nologies .JF +BQBO .BZ
Kapok can be bleached and dyed. However, due
to low strength, smooth surface, and too short
length of its fibres, kapok has a low spinnability,
and cannot be, in general, spun by using con-
ventional spinning methods. No special technol-
ogy for kapok processing is available. In addi-
tion to high flammability, brittleness, and lack
of elasticity, it is also too short length and low
cohesivity of fibres, which impedes wider use of
kapok in the field of clothing.
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Kapok V Tehninih Tekstilijah

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Kapok in technical textiles

Article in Tekstilec · January 2008

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Kapok in Technical Textiles

Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) is a highly lignified *[WMFǊFL

Vodilni avtor/corresponding author:

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

surfaces, and reinforcement components in pol- 6WPE

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

growing were not able to invest into it. In the BMJULBOJOPJ[QPMJQSPQJMFOB4UJTLBOKFWMBLFOWCBMFKFPNFKFOP[B-

separated on simple, sieve-like devices simi-

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

3 Morphological Structure of Kapok

Kapok is a smooth, unicellular, cylindrically

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

are oriented rectangular to the surface of fibres

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

do not stand synthetic materials well. Today, VTOKBSTLF QFUSPLFNJʅOFJOESVHFJOEVTUSJKFJ[TJOUFUJʅOJIWMBLFO

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

more than 3–10% of foreign reinforcing fibres is VQPSBCMKBMJ[BQMJØFJOUSBLPWF QSJLBUFSJIKFQSJØFMEPJ[SB[BLBQP-

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

the amorphous regions of fibres is related, its LJI4QFDJBMOFUFIOPMPHJKF[BQSFEFMBWPLBQPLBOJOBWPMKP1PMFH

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

Tekstilec, 2008, letn. 51, št. 10–12, str. 319–331

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the amorphous regions of fibres is related, its LJI4QFDJBMOFUFIOPMPHJKF[BQSFEFMBWPLBQPLBOJOBWPMKP1PMFH