The Crimp of Alkali Treated Jute Fibers

An investigation of the formation of crimp on jute fibers by the action of alkali is presented. Jute fiber-like strands are treated with various concentrations of NaOH under various conditions of temperature and time. As the result of the treatment, crimp is formed on some of the samples prepared. The measurements of crimp are carried out by a method developed by this Institute for single fibers which is adapted to the jute. The crimp diameter, the crimp ratio, the extension, and the wave number are quantitatively determined for the various jute samples as a function of the load applied to the fiber. An uncrimping energy of extension which sums up the extension over the range of loads used is measured. No crimp is formed at NaOH concentrations lower than 6%. At higher concentrations the crimp parameters increase to maximum values at 9% alkali, and thereafter decrease to constant levels. The crimp is formed after 0.5 hr. of treatment. The optimum temperature for the formation of the crimp is around 2° C. With increase in temperatures the values of the crimp parameters decrease, and at 40° C. no crimp is observed.