Coconut fiber, also known as coir fiber, is a natural stringy material that comes from the outer shell of a coconut. It’s a tough and long-lasting fiber. There are two kinds: brown fiber from fully grown coconuts and white fiber from young coconuts. Brown fibers are thick and strong, while white fibers are smoother and thinner.
The process of making coconut fiber involves picking and removing the outer shell of coconuts. The shells are then kept in a place that allows natural tiny organisms to act on them, a process known as retting. This action breaks down the shell’s pulp, making it easier to separate into coir fibers and a leftover called coir pith.
Coconut fibers are sold in three forms: bristle fiber (long fibers), mattress fiber (shorter fibers), and decorticated fibers (mixed fibers). A 10-oz coconut shell gives about 3 oz of fiber, one-third of which is bristle fiber.
Coconut fiber is used in many products like floor mats, doormats, brushes, and mattresses. It’s also used in gardening as a replacement for soil because it can hold water and nutrients. Businesses based on coir have grown in many countries that produce coconuts, especially India, Tanzania, Kenya, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, and others.
The physical features of coconut fiber include a length of 6-8 inches, a density of 1.40 g/cc, a strength of 10.0 g/Tex, a breaking stretch of 30%, a diameter of 0.1 to 1.5 mm, a stiffness of 1.8924 dyne/cm2, swelling in water (diameter) of 5%, and moisture at 65% RH of 10.50%.
In conclusion, coconut fiber is a flexible and eco-friendly material with many uses. Its toughness, ability to hold water, and natural origin make it a great choice for various industries.
Reports: