Study on the Characteristics of Cottonized Indian Industrial Hemp Fibers

Hemp fiber is one of the natural bast fibers, mainly obtained from the hemp plant with the species of Cannabis sativa(L). In recent time, hemp fibers have received wide applicability in composite materials on account of their sustainability and low density compared with manmade fibers. Hemp fibers also have inherent mechanical, acoustic, thermal, and physical properties. Industrial hemp is a genetically modified form of C. sativa(L) plant containing low THC (Δ-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol) value of below 0.3%. In this study, an attempt has been made to cottonization of Indian industrial hemp fiber. The fibers were given an alkali treatment for the removal of non-cellulosic content. Three different levels of concentration, time and temperature were selected for the treatments on the Box-Behnken response surface design principle. The effect of alkali treatment on mechanical properties viz; length, strength, and weight loss and physical properties viz; diameter, surface were analyzed. This process has eliminated the Indian traditional tedious water retting and time-consuming process used on Hemp fibers. The resultant fiber obtained from the proposed process is textile grade quality and spinnable by the cotton dry spinning system. The effect of alkali treatment on the mechanical and physical properties was found significant.