ME 508 Mini Project

Kenaf

John Fenske
Fall 2010

http://www.jute.org/prod_gallery.htm
 Introduction
 Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus)
is a warm season annual
plant originating from Africa
 Averages heights of 8 to 14
feet in 4 to 5 months
 Largest producers are India
and China
 Stalks consist of outer fiber
(bast) and inner fiber (core)
as seen to the right

2 12/8/21 [1], [3], [4], [8], [9]

http://upmkenafteam.blogspot.com/
  Where does
kenaf fit in the
fiber network?

[8]

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 History
 Its use dates back over 4,000 years ago by the
Egyptians in sails for ships (would not rot)
 Continued to be used as food source for people and
livestock into today (high protein content)
 Research in US to use fiber for rope began in 1940s
when imports from Asia were interrupted by WWII
 Now its use is being explored
in composite applications

4 12/8/21 [3], [6], [9]

http://picsicio.us/domain/ancientneareast.tripod.com/
 Applications
 Materials: Burlap, Paper/newspaper and paper
products, Rope/string
 Fertilizer: Potting-mix ingredient
 Absorptive: Oil, Animal bedding/litter
 Cushion: Carpet padding, Packing material

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 Composite Applications
 Automobile exterior composites
 Semi-structural applications
 Reinforcing fillers in plastics
 Replaces glass fibers in glass fiber composites
 Composites for mobile phones

http://ccgconsultinginc.com/kenaf.aspx

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  Specific
automotive
applications of
natural fiber
composites

 Effective sound
absorbers

7 12/8/21 [8], [9]

 Advantages
• Plant
– Very robust-withstands many diseases, insects, weeds,
drought periods, soil conditions
• Production
– Requires no special equipment for growing/harvesting-
process similar to that of hay
– Fibers separate easily from each other and rest of plant
• Natural fibers
– Low cost, low density,
high toughness, favorable
processing properties,
biodegradable

8 12/8/21 [1], [2], [4], [8]

http://www.kenafibers.com/pics.html
 Disadvantages
• Plant
– Highly susceptible to frost-limits areas for production
• Transportation
– Must be produced near processing plants as plant is too
bulky for transport
• Natural Fibers
– Limited heat resistance,
variations in quality and
uniformity, moisture
sensitivity, presence of
dust and short fibers
during processing

9 12/8/21 [1], [2], [4], [8] http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sa039s-first-

biocomposite-processing-plant-starts-up-2007-04-20
 Structure & Properties
Physical Properties
Tensile Strength 427 N/mm
Elongation at Break 1.5 %
Young’s Modulus 22 Gpa
Color White
Luster Low

 Composites have strength properties comparable

and are almost twice as stiff as glass fiber reinforced
PP composites
 Kenaf reinforced Polypropylene (PP) composites can
be injected molded on existing molds

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 Inconsistency of Properties
 Differences in properties result from different growing
conditions A and B (Figure 5)
 Additionally, fibers closer to the ground are stronger
than those higher from the ground (Figure 6)

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 References
[1] Yibin Xue, Y. D. (2007). Statistical Tensile Properties of Kenaf Fibers and its Composites. 9th
International Conference on Wood & Biofiber Plastic Composites. Madison.
[2] Interactive European Network for Industrial Crops and their Applications. (2002, September 20).
Crops. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from IENICA: http://www.ienica.net/crops/kenaf.pdf
[3] GeorgiaFarmMonitor (2009, October 26). Kenaf Farming in Laurens County, Georgia [Video File].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/georgiafarmmonitor#p/search/0/CJ3ZRjTCxrc
[4] Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. (2009, October). Kenaf. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from UK
Ag New Crop Opportunities Center: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/introsheets/kenafintro.pdf
[5] Vision Paper. (2005, November 4). About the Kenaf Plant. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from Vision
Paper: http://www.visionpaper.com/kenaf2.html
[6] P.J. LeMahieu, E. O. (1991, April). Kenaf. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from Purdue: Agriculture:
Horticulture & Landscape Architecture: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/kenaf.html
[7] Ochi, S. (2007). Mechanical Properties of kenaf fibers and kenaf/PLA composites. Miyagi: Elsevier Ltd.
[8] Bos, H. (2004). The Potential of Flax Fibres as Reinforcement for. Eindhoven: University Press Facilities.
[9] Lutfar, L. B., & Ahmad, S. Jute & Kenaf: Fibers of the Future. International Jute Study Group.

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 Questions

 Useful links
 http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Agriculture/Field_Crops/Fiber_Cro
ps/Kenaf/
 http://www.apparelsearch.com/kenaf.htm
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_fibers
 http://www.jute.org/index.php

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