Feasibility study on the utilization of lotus fibers as a textile raw materials

Abstract

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic plant and grows abundantly in Sri Lanka. Stalks and roots of this plant contain fine silky fibres. To utilize this fibre as a textile raw material, properties of locally available fibres have to be analyzed to ascertain whether the properties of these fibres meet the end use requirement of textile material. Analyzing the properties of lotus fibre is a prime requirement to determine the feasibility of utilizing of Lotus fibres as a textile raw material. In order to study the physical and chemical properties of lotus fibres, the fibres were extracted by manual method and subjected to relevant testing in order to confirm their suitability in textile applications. Fibre identification methods such as microscopical analysis, chemical resistance properties and fibre density were tested and found the results were similar to other cellulosic fibres. In addition to that, major physical properties such as fibre length, tensile strength, fibre diameter, water absorbent property and moisture regain were tested and found that the test results are superior to cotton fibres such as moisture regain 12.3% and fibre fineness 4.39 um. Fibres were pretreated by scouring and bleaching processes and the properties of water absorbance, dyeability and colour fastness were compared with cotton fibres and found to be similar. It was identified that the properties of lotus fibre is suitable to use as a textile raw material and the textile materials produced from lotus fibre will satisfy the end user requirements.