mahmud_Fiber in Nature_21

Leaf Fiber
Example: Sisal
Overview
Sisal (Agave sisalana) is an agave that yields a stiff fiber traditionally used in making twine, rope and also dartboards. (The term may refer either to the plant or the fiber, depending on context.) Also, sisal has many uses, including paper, cloth, wall coverings and carpets. ( www.wikipedia.org)



















fig: Sisal ( wikipedia)











fig: A sisal plantation in Morogoro, Tanzania. ( wikipedia)

Extracting the fiber

Fibre is extracted by a process known as decortication, where leaves are crushed and beaten by a rotating wheel set with blunt knives, so that only fibers remain. In East Africa, where production is typically on large estates, the leaves are transported to a central decortication plant, where water is used to wash away the waste parts of the leaf. The fiber is then dried, brushed and baled for export.




















fig: Sisal leaves are crushed and beaten until only the fiber remains and then these fibers are sorted in to three grades. The lowest grade fiber is used for paper. The medium grade fiber is used in the cordage industry for making ropes, baler and binders twine. The highest grade fiber is converted into yarns and used by the carpet industry ( http://ropeinternational.com/materials.php)

Organizational, structural & formal quality















fig: Spiral vessels characteristic of sisal and other agaves. These occurred in Tula ixtle. An example of a “guide element.” 200x. (Http://206.180.235.133/jaic/articles/jaic26-01-003.html)