COIR

Coir, also called coconut fiber, is a lignocellulosic

natural seed hair fiber, extracted from the outer
husk or outer shell of a coconut from coconut
palm tree (Cocos nucifera). The trees are most
abundant in the tropical regions.
https://hexagrowbag.com/en/what-is-cocopeat/
There are generally two types of coconut fiber.
These types are categorized on the basis of age.

 1. Brown fiber: Brown fibers are extracted

from matured coconuts. They are thick,
strong and have high abrasion resistance.

2. White fiber: White fibers extracted

 from immature coconuts. White fibers https://textilelearner.net/coconut-
coir-fiber-properties-
are smoother and finer, but also weaker. manufacturing/
 Harvesting and husking:

 Coconuts cling to the 40-100 ft (12-30 m) tall trees, they are harvested by human
climbers. If the climber picks the fruit by hand, he can harvest fruits from about 25
trees in a day. If the climber uses a bamboo pole with a knife attached to the end to
cut coconuts loose, he can harvest 250 trees per day.

 Ripe coconuts are husked immediately, but unripe

 coconuts are seasoned for a month by spreading them
 on the ground and keeping them dry. To remove the
 fruit from the seed, the coconut is impaled on a
 steel-tipped spike to split the husk. The pulp layer is
 easily peeled off.
 A skilled husker can manually split and peel about 2,000
 coconuts per day.
 Modern husking machines can process 2,000 coconuts https://stock.adobe.com/in/images/removing-of-the-
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Retting:
Retting is a curing process during which the husks are kept in an environment that
encourages the action of naturally occurring microbes.
This action partially decomposes the husk's pulp, allowing
it to be separated into coir fibers and a residue called coir
pith. Freshwater retting is used for fully ripe coconut husks,
and saltwater retting is used for green husks.
https://msuweb.montclair.edu/~franker/coir.htm

For freshwater retting, ripe husks are buried in pits dug

along river banks, immersed in water-filled concrete tanks,
or suspended by nets in a river and weighted to keep them
submerged. The husks typically soak at least six months.
https://www.ccriindia.org/Trade_info.html

For salt water retting, green husks are soaked in seawater or

artificially fresh water. Salt water retting usually takes eight
to 10 months, although adding the proper bacteria to the
water can shorten the retting period to a few days.
https://canadamats.ca/blogs/blog/from-coconut-to-coir-
doormat-part-2-fiber-production
 Defibering


The husk is sent inside the The extracted fiber is coming The fiber is being transported to
defibering machine (beater). out from the machine. the refining machine.

The refined fiber. The waste husk powder is The circular grill that separates
separated automatically inside coir and pith..
the machine.
https://www.dsource.in/gallery/coconut-husk-fibre-extracting
 Finishing:

 Bristle fibers that will not immediately be further processed are rolled and tied into
loose bundles for storage or shipment. When required Mechanized producers use a
hydraulic press to create compact bales.
 If more processing is desired, the fibers are combed with mechanical or manual
carding tools, then loosely twisted into a thick yarn (wick), and wound into bundles.
Later, the wick can be re-spun into a finer yarn. Techniques vary from simple hand
spinning to use of a hand-operated spinning wheel or a fully automated spinning
machine.
 Depending on its intended final use, the yarn is shipped to customers, or multiple
strands are twisted into twine and bundled for shipment. Both traditional manual
techniques and newer mechanical methods are used to braid twine into rope and to
weave yarn into mats or nets.
 For some uses, such as upholstery padding, bristle fiber is loosely spun into yarn and
allowed to rest. Then the fibers, which have become curly, are separated. These fibers
are lightly felted into mats that are sprayed with latex rubber, dried, and vulcanized.


Polygonal /Round Cross Sectional and longitudinal view :

Coir fiber has a

high lignin content
which makes it
resilient, strong,
and highly durable.

https://d-nb.info/1233276875/34
Staple Length : Coir fibers are found in bundles, of which about 56–65% of fibers
are 150 mm long, while the staple length can be up to 350 mm. About 5–8% of
fibers (short fibers) are found below 50 mm in length.

 Length (mm)...............60-80.
 Density (g/cm^3) ........1.40.
 Tenacity (g/ Tex)...........10.0.
 Moisture at 65% RH......10.50.
 Diameter (mm)............0.1-1.5.

Tensile Strength: . The tensile strength of thirty individual coir fibers per batch is
20, 60 and 100 mm at gauge lengths. Modulus of elasticity of 2.25 ± 1.75
GPa and elongation at break of 11.25%.
Density Measure: The average density of the fibres measured using gas
pycnometer is 4.72 kg/m3 .
Aesthetic:
Texture: Rough hard fibre, it is scratchy to touch.
Smell: It has a natural earthy smell, or manure.

Specific Gravity: Fine aggregates are confirming to zone 1, specific gravity 2.65 g/cc.
and coarse aggregates are 20 mm in size with specific gravity 2.63 g/cc.
Static Charge: Coir fibers are electro statically neutral, which means they do not
absorb or retain static electricity.
Thermal and sound insulation: Due to its cellular composition, coir is an excellent
natural insulator. With the mechanical interweaving of fibers, we create a firm yet
airy structure that increases the insulating effect. The soft texture of the panels
perfectly absorbs sound and prevents the propagation and transmission of sound
throughout the building.
 Durability: Pre-composted coconut can last four years without shrinkage or
compaction. Non-composted husks usually last two years.

 Chemical effects: Chemical treatment is a way of improving the mechanical

properties of natural fiber by reinforcing with polymer composites. Chemical
treatment improved the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the
manufactured composites.

 Environmental Conditions: The processing of coir fiber leads to water

pollution that is caused due to retting. The effluent water released in the water
bodies consists of bacteria such as salmonella and organic pollutants such as pectin,
tannin and toxic polyphenols.
 Comfort:
 Absorbency: Coconut coir powder has an absorption capacity of 1.5% which
indicates that is the potential of absorption is quite good.
 The rubberized coir is considered excellent in providing comfort. It is made of
coconut fiber and unprocessed rubber, which help the air to circulate properly
through the layers and keep the temperature under control.
 Comfort is dependent on the craftsmanship and quality of the coir material.
Low quality bedding can be quite uncomfortable. Continuous exposure to
sunlight, heat and humidity causes it to brittle, it is not comfortable for longer
periods and is not suitable for draping.

 Safety:It has high water holding capacity and also maintains oxygen content.
 While they can burn at an incredibly high heat — up to 800 degrees — these
temperatures can be easily controlled with venting.
Landscaping and Gardening: Coir is often used in gardening
and landscaping projects. It retains moisture, thus keeping
plant roots from drying out. Coir also repels most insects,
creating a natural pest management system for the garden.
https://www.trustbasket.com/blogs/how-to-
grow/how-to-use-coco-peat-coco-coir-for-plants

Ropes and Netting: White coir fibers are typically

used for rope because of its strength and flexibility.
White coir fiber also has a strong resistance to salt
water, making it the perfect medium for making
fishing nets, nets for shellfish harvesting and
marine rope for boats. https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/im
https://www.indiamart.com/prod
detail/coir-netting-geotextile-
age?family=creative&phrase=coir%20ropes 9721276148.html

Construction: In an effort to use renewable resources,

the use of coir fiber in concrete instead of sand has
proven beneficial in some circumstances.
Coir ply is a substitute for traditional plywood and is
made by combining coir fibers with resin and
pretreated timber veneer.
https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?family=creative&phra
se=coir%20ropes
Household Items and Furniture:
Coir is also commonly used for rough, bristle welcome mats and rugs. This natural
fiber is strong and helps remove dirt from shoes. In addition, coir fiber is rot resistant,
making it excellent for outdoor use. Brown coir fibers are also used to make household
brushes, such as toilet brushes and brooms.

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entrance-door-mat conut-coir-fiber-brushes-
23014366888.html

Coconut Coir Upholstery-Mattresses:

Coconut Coir is widely used in the upholstery industry,
and it is a healthy substitute for processed synthetic
rubber. It is also used as a combination with natural
rubber and is used for filling up mattresses, automobile
seats, sofas, settees, and seating systems. https://www.pepperfry.com/product/bubble-4-inch-coir-king-size-
mattress-1842696.html