Degumming
As degumming is the removal of cement substances, mainly pectins , while the separation of fibers in fiber plants , respectively. It takes place together with bleaching , in which lignin and dye residues are removed. The degumming process takes place, depending on the fiber type, by means of steam pressure and the use of sodium carbonate and caustic soda . Other options are enzymatic cleaning using bacteria or physical digestion using ultrasound . The process removes most of the components from the cellulose fiber without damaging the fiber itself. The degummed fibers are then bleached with sodium chloride or hydrogen peroxide .
Advantages of degumming
Degumming is used today as the standard treatment for natural fibers , as it has a number of advantages over mechanical fiber separation. It is gentler on the fibers because the individual fibers are not mechanically destroyed. In the case of mechanical separation, only fiber bundles of 20 to 50 individual fibers are usually formed, resulting in relatively thick yarns . The yarns resulting from the degummed fibers become finer, since the minimum possible cross-section is determined by the thickness of the individual cell (= fiber). The individual fibers are also technically more stable and can withstand greater stress. The degumming of the fiber bundles leads to individual fibers with which reinforcement effects are achieved that are almost similar to those of glass fibers .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Michael Carus et al .: Study on the market and competitive situation for natural fibers and natural fiber materials (Germany and EU). Gülzower Expert Discussions Volume 26, Agency for Renewable Raw Materials eV 2008.
- ↑ Andreas Keller: Plant fiber materials. State of the art and development opportunities (FAT report no. 575) , presentation on hanf-info.ch .
literature
- J. Salmon-Minotte, RR Franck: Flax: Rove degumming and bleaching. In Robert R. Franck (Ed.): Bast and other plant fibers. Woodhead publishing in textiles, 2005; Pages 122–123. ISBN 1-85573-684-5