Geometrical and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Treated Jute Filaments

Well combed jute fibers of W 2 grade were subjected to alkali treatment ( e. g. sodium hydroxide solution) at 10% (w/w) and 18% (w/w) concentrations at 30°C. The.loss in weight, the reduction in fiber fineness, the change in tensile properties, and the extent of longitudinal shrinkage were compared with raw jute. Fibers treated with 18% (w/w) alkali developed pronounced crimp, while those treated with 10% (w/w) alkali did not. It was further observed that though the crimp that developed was three-dimensional in nature, the two-dimensional approximation of crimp profile held well, presumably due to a low degree of tortuosity.