~ 11128 1111125 ~ Iiiii IUlBii

WW ~ Ii ~ 1111 20M INI~11 11

18

11111125 11114 1111116 11111125 14 1111116

MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUREAU Of STANO~RDS-1963-A NATIONAL BUREAU Of STANDARDS-1963-A

bull

bull

bull

1ec1micnl Bulletin No 999 October 199bull

A Study of the Quality of Abaca ITibelL By JIltI Ii 1I~II((~YIOIIIICIly ~(III) IH l(ellIll()II~t LYII~ E lh~tKIIIt IneI

t(h(olnl~l I~UNA n 1lIltNItIIlN ~(IIf ~tifIIIJic (lid IIIIlI lmtII~1t I CIIIW jllllO Illwl 1(1I0OY81 )iti8iol ol(olroll (Id (l11I bi)er Crll)~ flild J)YIflIW8 111(011 of IlIII IlIdll~III I()il~ flllfl AyIIIIltII[ l1l1ylIlcriIlY llyrtmllund Rc~c(rot ~l(llIIilliltfIliolt

~~ ~~ Illtrodllltioll____________________ 1 IlIIplOcd tcsLiIl~ IIlllchilllJi fOl 1illlHlIIllrl Ilnd c(lt1lt1uHioIlS________ a llIdyillg Iorltillt Illld othcr The qluilily of CIIILml A1I1lriC1l1I IOllg lelllbllgt fibI as

IlbllCI fiigtol IlS Ilfrcct~ I)Y 11- I IItroltlllctioll a8 ril~(Y lo(atioll of growth poKi- Ahrnsioll _bullbull _ an tioll in plllllt U1d mcthod of ]fll~lIrC ___________ bull 44

dlyilll bullbull _ _ __________ 1 (Ist dlltll __________ 48 iIatllillls alld 1Il1IhorlH________ 5 ])hClIssioll Illld cOlcllllliuw JI) n~Hlltof tlb bullbullbull __________ (i iilllllllllry _______________ __ [0 DIHCll4SIOII ___ ___________ 21 Abllca fibt~r frOIll (pntrld AWlmiddotrien SUIlIJllIlI)middot bullbull ___ ____ 27 Illld the Philippillc IhUlds ____ 50

A study of 1II(middotthuds of CI(IUling (ItIWIILI backrollllCl__________ 50 Central AlIl(rilllll lbnell fiher_ 28 ilInlerials Ilnd IlIcthod_________ 52

Ccllem1Imekl-lolJnc ______ bull ___ 28 Hliilllts ______________________ 52 iut(rinls and Illlthods_________ 28 DiH(uHHion and COIIIlulioIlS ____ 55 H~SIi1t8of tests ____________ a1 Littrutllre cited _ __ bull ____ 5( DIHCtlHHIOJ1 __ __ __ _ ali SlIlIIlIIary _ a7

INTHODUCTION 2

ABACA is the most sought aftll of all cOlclllg filllIS whclc high standanls of 1)(lfOInlllll(( IlIUS bl~ Illailliailll(l lh(lc 1I1e lIIany

spl~lild Wies fol cordllgl a ntl lwcllusc of tim (Ii ffclcnt physical and ehtlIIical proplrticl) of I1b(18 SOllie arc impoltalll fOl on(~ lISC lind olheLS 101 another Thc gltat strlnglh of abaca and its supplencss I(mgth and flelldom flOln illlpulilies make it adlllirably suited lor high proshyclu(tioll in nilinufuetliring and these IHOwl-tics togllhm with buoyshyalley and low swpllillg ill ah Illakl~ it the best of all libcls fot murinc PIlrlloses Undoul~lcdly its lise Jot ohcl PIIITIOSlS Slleh as foy illdllsshy11111 IOptS a lid tyillg and ba IeI 1IIIlfi ( ItL he PIoj)OIIIOlllltlly gllal(t ill Ielatioll 10 otillI fibcrs if it wcre (lnclcd ill illterllatiollal f Ilde al a IOWI (liSt

I HlIllIJlititd rill 1111111111111111 1111 1(1 IIHIl I ntlHlllltliOIl hY B B H()IJIJI~ill 1111011 of lt1 tOil IlJl( OlhtI Ii lit I ClU11S

IIlId DIeIlHtlS 1

2 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULTURE

To the 1VestelJl Hemisphere abaca is of extreme importance It is one of the strategic commodities in the United ShLtes primarily beshycause of the lnrge supplies needed and the small quantities now availshyable As It potential future crop in the middotWestern Hemisphere it ranks high It is a tropical crop that can be grown under restricted enshyvironmental and soil conditions in the American tropics It would not compete with ArneliclLIl products and would provide It cash ClOP with which Latin Amelican countries mlly stimulate their trade and further their industlial and agricultural development

Although abaca wasintlodl1ced into the Vestern Hemisphere a number of years a~o it did not become all important commmclll crop until World War II At that time its production expanded into Costa Rica Glllltemala Hondllas and Panama as large plantation developshyments rathel than as small units by indhidual fnrmers Considerable doubt has existed in the minds of many experienced fiber technoloshygists as to whether the (~rop can be successfully grown in the Western Hemisphere in competition with that in the Philippine Islands Mu(h time has been consumed in speculative discllssions involving the economics of prodl1ction in conclucting surveys to determine growth perft1liHlI1Ce~ and in scekill~ opinIons in lAelence to the qwtlity of the fiber At t1H~ same time cOllsidlrable factual infOlmation has been accumulated about the productive yield of the differcnt plalltashytiolls under their particular managcrial conditions Evaluation of th Iluality of the fiber produced as compared with Philippine stanshydard has been mueh more difli(ult tradition and mallufactll1ers prefshyerene) have made it extremely diflicult to arrive atmiddot definite conclusions on this point

The primary objeet of the studies reported hi this bulletin WlS to (valuate the quality of W(sterll Hemisphere abaca for comparison with that of Ilhilippine almca Unfortunately as in most studies w]llle quality is involved the measuring tools available for recording quality were limited T]llrcforc as an (ssential part of the work a study was mack of mean~ whereby the teehnique and manipulation or ma(hines used in handlillg the valious fiberl-l (ould heimpIOVld

Certain factols g(netally associatld witmiddoth quality of fiber were studied to elpterlnine theil influcn(( on the Central Ameriean produ(t Fib(r hom cliffllnt Vlllieties of abaca was (ompal(d since valiety is believed to aifeet the quality as well as the yield of fiber Fiber obtained from basp SlctiOllS of the plant was eOlllpared with that from top seetions and fib(r Iom th( inner 01 younger leaf sheaths was eompalwl with that from the outer 01 older Rheaths The influence 011 th( fibel of alionR (llvilOlllnental fa(tols such as location climate am1 soi I W(IP aIso st lid ied

Of all the faetors t-11at may affect the quality of the fiber however tIl( method uSN1 ill (xtJHliinp it is without doubt the Illost illlPortant The introduction of abaca into Celltral Ameriea was eonsiderecl to be possible only if ma(hill(gt methods WPIP employed to extract it These methods included tIle lise of lal~e I11l~chal1i(al sellliautomatic mashychines fol c1ecortiltatil1~ thl fib(I allc1llltifi(ial methods of drTillg it jl1 (olltrast to tlw mOl plimitie IllPtholtlR elHIal1r IIsed ill thr PIli lipshypine Islands whpre less than 5 1llIcpnt of the total production is clealled 011 large decoltieating machines

bull

bull

bull

2 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULTURE

To the 1VestelJl Hemisphere abaca is of extreme importance It is one of the strategic commodities in the United ShLtes primarily beshycause of the lnrge supplies needed and the small quantities now availshyable As It potential future crop in the middotWestern Hemisphere it ranks high It is a tropical crop that can be grown under restricted enshyvironmental and soil conditions in the American tropics It would not compete with ArneliclLIl products and would provide It cash ClOP with which Latin Amelican countries mlly stimulate their trade and further their industlial and agricultural development

Although abaca wasintlodl1ced into the Vestern Hemisphere a number of years a~o it did not become all important commmclll crop until World War II At that time its production expanded into Costa Rica Glllltemala Hondllas and Panama as large plantation developshyments rathel than as small units by indhidual fnrmers Considerable doubt has existed in the minds of many experienced fiber technoloshygists as to whether the (~rop can be successfully grown in the Western Hemisphere in competition with that in the Philippine Islands Mu(h time has been consumed in speculative discllssions involving the economics of prodl1ction in conclucting surveys to determine growth perft1liHlI1Ce~ and in scekill~ opinIons in lAelence to the qwtlity of the fiber At t1H~ same time cOllsidlrable factual infOlmation has been accumulated about the productive yield of the differcnt plalltashytiolls under their particular managcrial conditions Evaluation of th Iluality of the fiber produced as compared with Philippine stanshydard has been mueh more difli(ult tradition and mallufactll1ers prefshyerene) have made it extremely diflicult to arrive atmiddot definite conclusions on this point

The primary objeet of the studies reported hi this bulletin WlS to (valuate the quality of W(sterll Hemisphere abaca for comparison with that of Ilhilippine almca Unfortunately as in most studies w]llle quality is involved the measuring tools available for recording quality were limited T]llrcforc as an (ssential part of the work a study was mack of mean~ whereby the teehnique and manipulation or ma(hines used in handlillg the valious fiberl-l (ould heimpIOVld

Certain factols g(netally associatld witmiddoth quality of fiber were studied to elpterlnine theil influcn(( on the Central Ameriean produ(t Fib(r hom cliffllnt Vlllieties of abaca was (ompal(d since valiety is believed to aifeet the quality as well as the yield of fiber Fiber obtained from basp SlctiOllS of the plant was eOlllpared with that from top seetions and fib(r Iom th( inner 01 younger leaf sheaths was eompalwl with that from the outer 01 older Rheaths The influence 011 th( fibel of alionR (llvilOlllnental fa(tols such as location climate am1 soi I W(IP aIso st lid ied

Of all the faetors t-11at may affect the quality of the fiber however tIl( method uSN1 ill (xtJHliinp it is without doubt the Illost illlPortant The introduction of abaca into Celltral Ameriea was eonsiderecl to be possible only if ma(hill(gt methods WPIP employed to extract it These methods included tIle lise of lal~e I11l~chal1i(al sellliautomatic mashychines fol c1ecortiltatil1~ thl fib(I allc1llltifi(ial methods of drTillg it jl1 (olltrast to tlw mOl plimitie IllPtholtlR elHIal1r IIsed ill thr PIli lipshypine Islands whpre less than 5 1llIcpnt of the total production is clealled 011 large decoltieating machines

bull

bull

bull

3 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER

This bulletin shows the effl~ct of the various factors associnted with

bull fiber quality on fiber produced in a new environment and cleaned entirely by machine

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Two vlllieties of abaca fiber grown in Pananm Costa Rica Honshyduras Ilnd Guatelllaln were sampled to show fibetmiddot properties for difshyferent heights in the plant different areas of the cross section and different methods of (hmiddotying The results indicated the valiety BungushyhUlOn had significantly gTeater strength than the variety Maguinshydanao wheter the two varieties WlWe OlOWIl The fiber propelties vary with height in plant for both yar~ties Tall plants glOwn in deep shade show little lt1i tlerence ill fiber ploperties up through the first h) feet but near the top the libel sttength flex life and resistance to abrasion decline Short stunted plants grown ill inadequate shade show a marked Iedllctioll in physical properties with height in the plnnt above the fhst 1 01 5 feet The fibel sttength of abaca is gelltest ill the streaky sheaths sOllllwhat less ill the outer btown sheaths and the ocbel cU cream-colored sheaths just beneath the streaky and least in the white fiuetmiddot lIeal the centel of the p]ant Somedifferences in fioer 1)Joperties WCLe apparent ill loeatioll of growth but sun-dried and nmchine-dricd fiuer showed no conHistent dilletmiddotences

bull A comparison was made of two varieties of abaca fiber fLom

Panama and six valieties flom Costa Rica that were given specinl sampling eonsidelation and were cleaned by two different methods on hauotan and Laspador maehineR The following physical properties HIe detetmincll on the fiber Fineness strength abrasion flex life and knot stIength The fibcL structure was determined by X-ray methods and machine damage to the fiber was evaluated In general the raspador decOlmiddottieated fiber was finelmiddot a nd showed greater resistshyance to ablasioll SS twist (along the fibel) and greater flex life rhe hagotan stlipped fibcI was coarser stt(lIlger showed greater resistance to abrasion SZ twist (aeloss the fiber) and greater knot shmiddot(ngth The fiber strudure (texture) and fewer injuries account for the gleater stJength of the hagotan stJipped fihel The greater yields by the machine llIethod and economy of h~bor in harvesting justify the small reductioltin quality ill the machine-cleaned fiber

In studying physical properties of fibers an instrument and It

method of measuring cIoss-seCtional area of bundles of fibels were d(gtploped )[odifi(ations of ablasion and flexure llIachines for long fiblrs tllP disllI~ed and shown Data are reported along with some interpretntion of till leslllts from six samples of tibetmiddot th-Lee samples of hard fibers lind three samples of soft fiber obtajned on thehnprovedtesting ma(hilles

Physieal propelties oi diffprent abaca fiber grades from Central III(gtIi(a anel til( Philippinp Islands ale givlgtn with a discllssion of the variolls glluling Illtthocls tlsed by the two localities

bull

4 lECffi~ICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

THE QUALITY OF CENTRAL AMERI(AN ABACA FIBER AS AFFECTED BY VARIETY LOCATION OF GROWlH POSITION IN PLANT AND METHOD OF DRYING

By EIIL E BEIIKLEY LyrE E HEssum EUNA B BUIINEfiTON and CHESTElt F CUEW 3

rhc ubfiCa plant Jhlsa tCltUis resembles the billlana plant in appearance and is closely related to it botanically Abaca is native to the Phili)pine Islands andis the SOUl~e of the (ordage fiber known commerciul y as Manila hemp and as abaca It is the principal source of lItW mateliul used in themanufacture of llmrine cordage and is used for many other types of cordage Until recent years essentially un of the wodds supply of this fibel was produced in the Philil)pine Islands When the Amelican supply of Philippine abaca was cut oft ellrly in 1M2 it became necessary to produce this fibet in theVestshyelll Hemisphere

The danger of having the production of the entire world supply of Hlis essential raw material con filled to a remote group of islands in the llucific had long been recognized In 1025 the United States Department of AgricultUle (3) brought from the Philippines to Panama planting material of six varieties of abaca These plants were glown by the United Fruit Co on a plantation located in the Changninola Valley near Almilallte in the Uepublic of PUllamu and by IOU the original experimental plantings had becn expanded to about 2000 acres Late in 1941 plans were formulated for the further expansion of this work and new plantings were started early hI 1D42 All of the pluntation operations including the cleaning of fiber were conducted by the United FlIlit Co under contract with the United States Government The acreage was ultimately enlarged to about 28000 a(res in fin plantation projects located in Panama Costa Rica Honduras and Guatemala Dudng the period of hosshytilities in Wodd War II and up to January 1 1946 Centml America produced and made available to the United States more than 39 million pounds of abaca fiber of cordage grades

Because of a number of factOls the qllality of C(ntml American abaca fibel difllls fr01l1 that grown in the Philippines In Central Amllica plOdlldion has ulln from two valietieB lkngu1anon and Maguindallao wheleas in thl Philippines Ulany diflerent yarieties are grown The 1lllllal lIlltlHxls of (ldtUlC IUIlvesting decortkashytion and c1Iying wcre all somewhat ditlCllut from those commonly used in the Philippines The Philippille fiber is to a large extent hand-stripped Ol (leaned with smalt hagobm machines and only a

3 TIl( authors wish to aekllowl((Igl the ajltalH( of thl RlcomIuclioll Finallcc COlplll1tion alia tilt Ullit( Flllil Co allll tilt 1i1(1 1(jlllIIIlati ill lallalllll (o[a RiCa HOIIlIlIailt 1II111 Gllar(IIrlIa ho 1lIIItlI thl olk j10ssihle h~ aiding ill nil lipid stlldi( II lid ill uhlailllll till lIIl1ptmiddot USIl ill IIll1kill( tht tihtl III(aIII(middot 11(11 I l rhl Ipxti II Didiol1 a tiolla I 11111(1111 0( Ria 1I(la 111lt I(a tl~- ajtpc b)lpIHIiIl appalalll 1II ill ohllillilll UIIIl of till data rhp 1I11thms ~llltffllllY a(kIlOI(d~I) IIJllIilinll IIIIc aitall(1 in hy H I Hohill1 of til( III-imiddot ioll of (ot tOil allil 0111(1 1ih(I (IOp IlIIcl Dipali HIIIII II I of Illllt Tn(llltrr Hoil~ tllli Ii(lIltlllal BII~illtIrill( anc thl aid or n l V()~pl alld tirt lal( 0 A 10PI ill lire tatitilHI alllllis Iire pirotO(Illphy ill till nlllllll(ript wa lltme by )1 L IIIt(I1 01 111 HIIIl niyisiOll

I1Ii( 1I1111lhlIH ill plIllntirl( nr til Litprallllp Citlltl p GO

bull

bull

bull

I

5 A SrUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER

small percentage is deaned by the 1I1spador method It is Sun or

bull shed (tried The length of the fiber varies depending on the lentrth of theleaf sheath ItOIll which it is stripped The Central AlIlCJi~nll fibel is all delorti(uted ollhllge Sellti-llutolllatie llladtilH~s or the lllspador type artificially or Oven dtied and cut in lengths of 4 to (i (eet

III May nnd Jlllre 1H5 at the request of the Uecollstuction Finance COIpolItion spc(ialists from the Uuited StallS Depalhlllnt of Agli shyCUltlll( (20) inspected the abaca plantat iOlls of Central AIll(lica and studied the lIlilties nnt the methods of cultivation IlIlrv(sting deshyc(Htication drying lind balillg of thc fibll Salllples well~ collettcd

and thl studi(s l()pollccl h(He wcre made in the United States Deplut shynlPnt of ~gliculture labollltories at the Plant Industry Station Beltsville Mel

MTEUU(S AND AIETltoJ)S

bull

Samples wme tat-Ill frolll flltited abt~a plants~ thllt is frolll stalks with eiHtll lIowlls 01 fruits An attempt was lIIade to select plants l(~present-Ilti(~ of thl plantation in siz(~ and gcnelal gn)th habits so that lIeither till 11Igest nOl the lIlallest plants werc chosen Five plants WCle scledNI 01 each salllpl( They were stlipped of leaves and topped in the fitleI brought to tho decorticating plaut weighed ald then (ut into sletions IIpploxilllatlly (j fllt in llmglll TIll sll( nths W(I( then sepamted and grollped into three Or four subshysaldjJles Ialh atlonling to plael of (Ili~dn-the Ollt(I intclIlIediate and innN shlatlls in the stalk The ollle1 dark sh(aths welC designatNI the stleaky sheaths just beneath the slIdaltc B tho III iddle and i nlltI sheaths C At two locations Hondullls and Guatllllalt till C glOUp IIS again slIbdivided to give D the extrt whit( fibel nlnl thl ClIl(I of thl stalk mnking fOl11 lots in all

Eaeh glOIl]) of sheaths WPlp t hen passed t111Ollgh the decolticllting mlhilll Hepamtely and thl fibll was divided into two approximately eltt llal pOltions On( portion liS dried in the Slln the other in the IlHlehille ddtl TagS wel( uttaehed to the SUlltpllS blfOle they Wl1C ]gtlItinto the dlipr so thll tilt (otrld be readily j(lentified Vith the lxleption of thllt glown in (o~ta Rica the madtine-dlied fiber was dlied in the Ipglllal run along with ltollllllelcial lots of fibeti

III Ianallla (lo(atiOIl 1) tit( abaea plants 111 very tall and three slttiollS (n ohtaillld flont (leh plant wh(~Ilas al the othlt1 loltnshyliollS tIll plans (1( ollly long (lIollgh fOl two seetiOlls In all loeashylions thl sitt-alits of only thp loU-(m two Slctions were sepamtcd illto till thl(( glOUpS flt( oUtPI illllIIlH((iatp and innel slllaths The top s(dioll in allanla was d((()(Ii(lat(~d as a whole In Costa ]ieL on I) tht IHISP SI(t ion Was lIsNl

bull Till 1(1 Ilwtllods tISId ill studvilil IIllsl Iih(Is WIIP mOllifications

of thosl (](s(libld by SdliltflI (rj) RplilnH PIl lUt inlo 15-illdl 11lllts l)(innill al till bas( llld of Ill slInpl TIll ICI(I Plld of c-(h santplf 18 Illalkpd witit a e1Yl and (ath 1-illch section waS IlUI1ligt(I((1 (lloglpssiply hpgillnin~ ai- t1l~ has(

yarll wpigilillg l IllilliglllIlIS (~I Illillilarrls pel in(h) with OIl( fUtn [Jll ill(l1 was pllpand ilnd 11 a((I in a rlfk ih llotelHd

4 lECffi~ICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

THE QUALITY OF CENTRAL AMERI(AN ABACA FIBER AS AFFECTED BY VARIETY LOCATION OF GROWlH POSITION IN PLANT AND METHOD OF DRYING

By EIIL E BEIIKLEY LyrE E HEssum EUNA B BUIINEfiTON and CHESTElt F CUEW 3

rhc ubfiCa plant Jhlsa tCltUis resembles the billlana plant in appearance and is closely related to it botanically Abaca is native to the Phili)pine Islands andis the SOUl~e of the (ordage fiber known commerciul y as Manila hemp and as abaca It is the principal source of lItW mateliul used in themanufacture of llmrine cordage and is used for many other types of cordage Until recent years essentially un of the wodds supply of this fibel was produced in the Philil)pine Islands When the Amelican supply of Philippine abaca was cut oft ellrly in 1M2 it became necessary to produce this fibet in theVestshyelll Hemisphere

The danger of having the production of the entire world supply of Hlis essential raw material con filled to a remote group of islands in the llucific had long been recognized In 1025 the United States Department of AgricultUle (3) brought from the Philippines to Panama planting material of six varieties of abaca These plants were glown by the United Fruit Co on a plantation located in the Changninola Valley near Almilallte in the Uepublic of PUllamu and by IOU the original experimental plantings had becn expanded to about 2000 acres Late in 1941 plans were formulated for the further expansion of this work and new plantings were started early hI 1D42 All of the pluntation operations including the cleaning of fiber were conducted by the United FlIlit Co under contract with the United States Government The acreage was ultimately enlarged to about 28000 a(res in fin plantation projects located in Panama Costa Rica Honduras and Guatemala Dudng the period of hosshytilities in Wodd War II and up to January 1 1946 Centml America produced and made available to the United States more than 39 million pounds of abaca fiber of cordage grades

Because of a number of factOls the qllality of C(ntml American abaca fibel difllls fr01l1 that grown in the Philippines In Central Amllica plOdlldion has ulln from two valietieB lkngu1anon and Maguindallao wheleas in thl Philippines Ulany diflerent yarieties are grown The 1lllllal lIlltlHxls of (ldtUlC IUIlvesting decortkashytion and c1Iying wcre all somewhat ditlCllut from those commonly used in the Philippines The Philippille fiber is to a large extent hand-stripped Ol (leaned with smalt hagobm machines and only a

3 TIl( authors wish to aekllowl((Igl the ajltalH( of thl RlcomIuclioll Finallcc COlplll1tion alia tilt Ullit( Flllil Co allll tilt 1i1(1 1(jlllIIIlati ill lallalllll (o[a RiCa HOIIlIlIailt 1II111 Gllar(IIrlIa ho 1lIIItlI thl olk j10ssihle h~ aiding ill nil lipid stlldi( II lid ill uhlailllll till lIIl1ptmiddot USIl ill IIll1kill( tht tihtl III(aIII(middot 11(11 I l rhl Ipxti II Didiol1 a tiolla I 11111(1111 0( Ria 1I(la 111lt I(a tl~- ajtpc b)lpIHIiIl appalalll 1II ill ohllillilll UIIIl of till data rhp 1I11thms ~llltffllllY a(kIlOI(d~I) IIJllIilinll IIIIc aitall(1 in hy H I Hohill1 of til( III-imiddot ioll of (ot tOil allil 0111(1 1ih(I (IOp IlIIcl Dipali HIIIII II I of Illllt Tn(llltrr Hoil~ tllli Ii(lIltlllal BII~illtIrill( anc thl aid or n l V()~pl alld tirt lal( 0 A 10PI ill lire tatitilHI alllllis Iire pirotO(Illphy ill till nlllllll(ript wa lltme by )1 L IIIt(I1 01 111 HIIIl niyisiOll

I1Ii( 1I1111lhlIH ill plIllntirl( nr til Litprallllp Citlltl p GO

bull

bull

bull

I

5 A SrUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER

small percentage is deaned by the 1I1spador method It is Sun or

bull shed (tried The length of the fiber varies depending on the lentrth of theleaf sheath ItOIll which it is stripped The Central AlIlCJi~nll fibel is all delorti(uted ollhllge Sellti-llutolllatie llladtilH~s or the lllspador type artificially or Oven dtied and cut in lengths of 4 to (i (eet

III May nnd Jlllre 1H5 at the request of the Uecollstuction Finance COIpolItion spc(ialists from the Uuited StallS Depalhlllnt of Agli shyCUltlll( (20) inspected the abaca plantat iOlls of Central AIll(lica and studied the lIlilties nnt the methods of cultivation IlIlrv(sting deshyc(Htication drying lind balillg of thc fibll Salllples well~ collettcd

and thl studi(s l()pollccl h(He wcre made in the United States Deplut shynlPnt of ~gliculture labollltories at the Plant Industry Station Beltsville Mel

MTEUU(S AND AIETltoJ)S

bull

Samples wme tat-Ill frolll flltited abt~a plants~ thllt is frolll stalks with eiHtll lIowlls 01 fruits An attempt was lIIade to select plants l(~present-Ilti(~ of thl plantation in siz(~ and gcnelal gn)th habits so that lIeither till 11Igest nOl the lIlallest plants werc chosen Five plants WCle scledNI 01 each salllpl( They were stlipped of leaves and topped in the fitleI brought to tho decorticating plaut weighed ald then (ut into sletions IIpploxilllatlly (j fllt in llmglll TIll sll( nths W(I( then sepamted and grollped into three Or four subshysaldjJles Ialh atlonling to plael of (Ili~dn-the Ollt(I intclIlIediate and innN shlatlls in the stalk The ollle1 dark sh(aths welC designatNI the stleaky sheaths just beneath the slIdaltc B tho III iddle and i nlltI sheaths C At two locations Hondullls and Guatllllalt till C glOUp IIS again slIbdivided to give D the extrt whit( fibel nlnl thl ClIl(I of thl stalk mnking fOl11 lots in all

Eaeh glOIl]) of sheaths WPlp t hen passed t111Ollgh the decolticllting mlhilll Hepamtely and thl fibll was divided into two approximately eltt llal pOltions On( portion liS dried in the Slln the other in the IlHlehille ddtl TagS wel( uttaehed to the SUlltpllS blfOle they Wl1C ]gtlItinto the dlipr so thll tilt (otrld be readily j(lentified Vith the lxleption of thllt glown in (o~ta Rica the madtine-dlied fiber was dlied in the Ipglllal run along with ltollllllelcial lots of fibeti

III Ianallla (lo(atiOIl 1) tit( abaea plants 111 very tall and three slttiollS (n ohtaillld flont (leh plant wh(~Ilas al the othlt1 loltnshyliollS tIll plans (1( ollly long (lIollgh fOl two seetiOlls In all loeashylions thl sitt-alits of only thp loU-(m two Slctions were sepamtcd illto till thl(( glOUpS flt( oUtPI illllIIlH((iatp and innel slllaths The top s(dioll in allanla was d((()(Ii(lat(~d as a whole In Costa ]ieL on I) tht IHISP SI(t ion Was lIsNl

bull Till 1(1 Ilwtllods tISId ill studvilil IIllsl Iih(Is WIIP mOllifications

of thosl (](s(libld by SdliltflI (rj) RplilnH PIl lUt inlo 15-illdl 11lllts l)(innill al till bas( llld of Ill slInpl TIll ICI(I Plld of c-(h santplf 18 Illalkpd witit a e1Yl and (ath 1-illch section waS IlUI1ligt(I((1 (lloglpssiply hpgillnin~ ai- t1l~ has(

yarll wpigilillg l IllilliglllIlIS (~I Illillilarrls pel in(h) with OIl( fUtn [Jll ill(l1 was pllpand ilnd 11 a((I in a rlfk ih llotelHd

5 A SrUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER

small percentage is deaned by the 1I1spador method It is Sun or

bull shed (tried The length of the fiber varies depending on the lentrth of theleaf sheath ItOIll which it is stripped The Central AlIlCJi~nll fibel is all delorti(uted ollhllge Sellti-llutolllatie llladtilH~s or the lllspador type artificially or Oven dtied and cut in lengths of 4 to (i (eet

III May nnd Jlllre 1H5 at the request of the Uecollstuction Finance COIpolItion spc(ialists from the Uuited StallS Depalhlllnt of Agli shyCUltlll( (20) inspected the abaca plantat iOlls of Central AIll(lica and studied the lIlilties nnt the methods of cultivation IlIlrv(sting deshyc(Htication drying lind balillg of thc fibll Salllples well~ collettcd

and thl studi(s l()pollccl h(He wcre made in the United States Deplut shynlPnt of ~gliculture labollltories at the Plant Industry Station Beltsville Mel

MTEUU(S AND AIETltoJ)S

bull

Samples wme tat-Ill frolll flltited abt~a plants~ thllt is frolll stalks with eiHtll lIowlls 01 fruits An attempt was lIIade to select plants l(~present-Ilti(~ of thl plantation in siz(~ and gcnelal gn)th habits so that lIeither till 11Igest nOl the lIlallest plants werc chosen Five plants WCle scledNI 01 each salllpl( They were stlipped of leaves and topped in the fitleI brought to tho decorticating plaut weighed ald then (ut into sletions IIpploxilllatlly (j fllt in llmglll TIll sll( nths W(I( then sepamted and grollped into three Or four subshysaldjJles Ialh atlonling to plael of (Ili~dn-the Ollt(I intclIlIediate and innN shlatlls in the stalk The ollle1 dark sh(aths welC designatNI the stleaky sheaths just beneath the slIdaltc B tho III iddle and i nlltI sheaths C At two locations Hondullls and Guatllllalt till C glOUp IIS again slIbdivided to give D the extrt whit( fibel nlnl thl ClIl(I of thl stalk mnking fOl11 lots in all

Eaeh glOIl]) of sheaths WPlp t hen passed t111Ollgh the decolticllting mlhilll Hepamtely and thl fibll was divided into two approximately eltt llal pOltions On( portion liS dried in the Slln the other in the IlHlehille ddtl TagS wel( uttaehed to the SUlltpllS blfOle they Wl1C ]gtlItinto the dlipr so thll tilt (otrld be readily j(lentified Vith the lxleption of thllt glown in (o~ta Rica the madtine-dlied fiber was dlied in the Ipglllal run along with ltollllllelcial lots of fibeti

III Ianallla (lo(atiOIl 1) tit( abaea plants 111 very tall and three slttiollS (n ohtaillld flont (leh plant wh(~Ilas al the othlt1 loltnshyliollS tIll plans (1( ollly long (lIollgh fOl two seetiOlls In all loeashylions thl sitt-alits of only thp loU-(m two Slctions were sepamtcd illto till thl(( glOUpS flt( oUtPI illllIIlH((iatp and innel slllaths The top s(dioll in allanla was d((()(Ii(lat(~d as a whole In Costa ]ieL on I) tht IHISP SI(t ion Was lIsNl

bull Till 1(1 Ilwtllods tISId ill studvilil IIllsl Iih(Is WIIP mOllifications

of thosl (](s(libld by SdliltflI (rj) RplilnH PIl lUt inlo 15-illdl 11lllts l)(innill al till bas( llld of Ill slInpl TIll ICI(I Plld of c-(h santplf 18 Illalkpd witit a e1Yl and (ath 1-illch section waS IlUI1ligt(I((1 (lloglpssiply hpgillnin~ ai- t1l~ has(

yarll wpigilillg l IllilliglllIlIS (~I Illillilarrls pel in(h) with OIl( fUtn [Jll ill(l1 was pllpand ilnd 11 a((I in a rlfk ih llotelHd

6 TECHNICAL BULLE1IN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

leather glips to prevent the loss of twist Paper gtips were then glued to the fiber at the appropriate points one set one-lutlf inch apart and anotl1er 3 inches apart fOt~ fiber-strength tests The glue WlIS allowed to harden overnight and the specimens were conditioned at 700 F and 65 percent relative humidity Lefore testing

lhe fiber strengths were obtained 011 a pendulum-type Scott Tester capacity 150 and 300 pounds The resistanee to nbrasion and flex life was obtained on modified Sehiefer (10) machines that are discnssed in detaillatetmiddot in this publication

The abrasion tests Were continued until one of the two strands f[tiled The flex tests were also continued until the yarn failed The length of specimen between testing jaws affeds the tibetmiddot strengths It was not feasible to sbll1datdize the methods so that the lengths of all test specimens were uniform after the had been ablllded 01 flexe(l a given number of times therefore all [(sts were cOlltinued to failure and the Humbel of revollltions lecorded Both the flex machine and the abmsion lllaehine were equipped with cut-off switches so that when a bundle failed the machine stopped

The fibels in each sbllldald bundle 01 yarn 15 inclHs long and weighing 325 milligrams were cOllnted for each of the varieties at ench location and for each position in the plant It is recognized that the adjustnHnt of the dtcOltieating machine influences the fineness of fiber All samples for a given loeation wele (lecorticatecl however on the same machine without a change in setting

The closs-seetionnl alea of the individual bundles was measured by an instrument the details of which are discussed in the section on improved testing machines

Vllrian(e analyses CIC applied to a portion of the fiber-strength datu )[jssing aluts in the almuiion and flex data made analysis difficult and of (Jl1(stiollahle alue

nESlltTS OF TESTS

The fiber strengths wert caleulated both on the basis of length of yarn rpqlliled to break its(1f and in 1000 pounds pel square inch Only tlw latter strengths are reported in the tables but hoth wele analyzed statistically and mied in the interpIetations

III genelal fOl Pnl111ma (Io(ation 1) tIl fiber ftolll the variety Bungshynlanon waS slightly stlOnger than that flom the variety Magnindanao (table 1) The s1l1-dri(1 fibpI was significantly strongN than tIll ma(hine-clried fib(~l III upneral the fibers from tl1( intermediate swatlls wele strongest with I(sped to the erOSR sedioll of the stem thos( from the outel OIWS npxt and the inner sheaths neal the fruitshying stock wea kest In II II eases the fi rst 6-foot seetionlwn I~ the glOt1I1d was stlonutI than tlw sl(oncl whieh wag in tllrn stonuel than tho third at Plllama So ati(llIpt wai made to stparate tIll sheaths in the top sedion

TIll fibel sflengths from tIl( Yllirti(s Bllnglllanon and ~fagllinshydanao Ulown in HOIl(llllaS an gien in iaigth 2 Only two sedion wele alilablf from the short plllts Hlle the ditferences in Rtlengths b(gttween til( filst 6-foot (middotdioll neal dlP glOlllHl and tIll sc(ond 01

top edion (1( lIM( (lIonOIIII(((l than thORP fOllncl bftH(n tht filst two sections at Pa llama It hOlluh the sllPaths PIP dhide(l into 10111

groups inst(gtal 01 tlll(( as ill Pal1a111a till inffIlwdiaitgt sll(laths wert

bull

bull

bull

bull bull bull TADLB l-Fiber strelllth 1 ~n 1 000 poumds 1Hr 81uare 111(11 for different positiQ1I] in the 111atlt of sun-dried and machineshy

driedjiber of 2 rarieties of abaca grown i1L the Gltanguillola lalley Panama ----~--bull-~-------

Sun dried Machine dried Average ---I----- -- IVllri[tv lind positioll of fiber I

bull ill plullt ~ Ollter j I~tfr- ) Tuner All Outer i Intr- Inner All Onter n~nJft I Inner All sheaths 1~i~~u sheaths sl1lIlths sheathsi~I~tl~ sheaths sheaths sheaths sl~ath sheaths she(1ths sect

I I ~

~ lItlgllindllllllo I I

I fi[middotcti(l1l1 bullbull ________________ 783 773 624 72(j 651l 959middot 566 725 717 86 6 595 726 IISection 2 _________________ 678 734 573 662 608 661 537 60 2 643 69 7 555 632 tl

Section 3___________________ - __ __ bull______ -_____ 4)7 --------------1------- 385 421 sect

Avernge ________________ __ 730 753 5n8 i 695 62) l 81 0 552 571 680 782 575 593 ~ Bl1Jlg~IIIlIon

HletJoll 1 __________________ 838 )1 6 730 II 828 681 670 791 71 4 760 793 761 771 ~

RpctlJll 2 _________________ 657 87 I) ___ ___ 7H H (i(iO _____ _ bull _____ bull 660 658 875 _______ 767 Secttoll 3 __________________ bull ___________ bull ------1 405 _______ __ _ __ 68 6 bull ____~_ _______ _______ 546 ~

1 gtAverage__________________ 747 895 _______ 1 6(i G 671 I-u----------- 687 709 834 __bullbull___ 694 tI

gtI I fBoth varieties

RCcion 1 ______________ ~ ___I 81 I) 844 677 I 777 I 666 I 81 4 I 678 I 7I 9 I 73 8 829 678 161 1 65 1 78 6 555 tI536 _______~~t~ ~================ __ ~~~~___ ~~~_ _~~~~l ~~ ~ L_~~~J_~~~_~ __ ~~~~_~ tl 0

Average __________________ 1 739 824 H251 (i30 I 650 I 737 6081 6221 694 808 61 6

Over-all avernge____________I_______I______________ 1 6641-------1------- -------1=62=61--------------------- 640

3-inch span between testing jaws

I

bull bull bull

00 lABIE2-~Fibe 8trength I in 1000 pounds per sqllare inch for dijJerent positions in the plant of 8Un-dr1~ed and macMneshy

bull dried fiber of 2 varieties of abaca grown in Honduras 1-3 ~----------- -~-~-- _--- _--- ~-~---~- 12 _

SUIl dried Machine dried Average ~ o

1 s 1 1 1s 1 pound 1s 1--I-~-l ~ Varicty and position of ~ d ~p gt GC ap ~ ~ ~ ~ - til ~ ~ - til oS ~ ~ - on oS 05 1

fiber in plant cgt - ltgt ltgt - ltgt 1 - ltgt Q) - cgt -= ltgt I Q) shy

~ ~~ ~ ~ i ~ I ~~ ~ ~ i ~ ~d ~ ~ 1 ~ ig ~ ) s i s Q ~ s i s Q) =11 f

pound ISU - E 1 -rn -8 sq ~ IE - s_I II) ~ - ~ __ on i -EO - lg shy 1-3-----L~~ ~ ~ lt_~~ ~l ~ ~~~ ~ ~ l~ Z

colfngll inclu1llo CORrction 1 ___________1 76 J 1101 3 879 856 877 969 93 4 933 90 5 899 90 7 895 891 ~co78 5 865Rection 2 ____________ __ 773 75 0 751 758 582 61 9 652 61 8 677 685 702 68 8

Aycrllpe___________ _ 893181 51 SO 41SI 8_ 68middot1 777 i79 3 766~ 788 796 798 790 l RIlIlplIlllnon -------1------------- -shy

StclioIlJ bull _________ 1078 _11OS 7S4 990 97710451329 6671005102810451218 726 1004 ~ Section 2____________ _ 767 707 58 1 685 ______ 820 842 81 8 827 ______ 793 775 700 756 ~

eycrnge ___________ _ -__ _ _ 9081683_ 838 ____ 932 S~5 743 916 __ bull __ bull 919 997 7131 8S0 ~ Bot h mrirties 1 gtoSectiolll ______ - __ H20 1013 994 820 937 973 9151131 SOO 955 946 9721062 S10 947

dRcction2 ____________ 0770 729 666 722 ______ 701 731 735 722 ___ _735 730 701 722 o ~ middoterlllc___________ ---_ 891j86l lei 3 829 == SO S 93l 768 839 ____ _ 854 896756--s34 t 1-3 ~ Oycr-all ncrngc ____ _____ j --- bullbull -1-- -- ----- 828 _____ +_____ ------1------1 84 0 ------ -----1----- ____ oj 835 d

----- 12 -~-

13-inch spnll bctPlm teslillg juws

9

bull

bull

bull

A SlUD OF ltU QUALiTY OF AllACA FlllEH

shollgcst ill scdioll 1 the oulel OlHS lIext IIlId the inllCl olles weakest alld a tendellcy fot the outel SIHllths to ue stlOngel ill sectioll 2 was observed lhl~ ocIHI~ fibCl jllst belleath the stlllIky sheaths wus stOwshyet in section 1 The stil1-dlied tibel wus slightly blli lIot Rigllifi(lIntly stlollgel thall the oVlII-lttied TIll fiber ttOIll the alitl BlIllgulallon was agaill SllOllgtl thall that 110111 Magllillltallao

(olllpalllble datn 110111 these two vluiefies glOWIl in (iulltelllllltt lre given ill tllbl( 3 The fibel of the first lti-foot slction was again much stlollger i(I than that of the secolld which was only (i(i The Sllllshyditd Ii bltft-om the 0111 eL shla t hI was Oil the a velllgl slightly strollger than that ft-om the illlellIlcdialc andinllCl sheaths wlHlreas tll HIlLshy

(hille-tllild fibelflOIll the illtellIlediate sheaths howed the gllutest strellgtll III HOllduIIlS alld Gllatemula the sheaths well divided illto fOil I glOUPS FOlsiulisliealllllalysis 1I(Jlel~ datn tolthe fibll hOIll tll( oulel lllal lis ami that fol the stnaky fiuel just 1I11(1III(lIt h WeLC

conlbimd 101 (Olllplllison with till libel from Panallla III genelHi tho stIlaky (jUlI WUH found to be til( stlOIlgllSt filllI ill tlthe 1111 thlIeshyfon the uppaltn discleptIlt) in tlll data 110111 this locatiOIl lIlay be tltll to the conll)inatiollS tlsed

TIll oHn-dlil(l 01 Illllehill-dlied libel frolll UuaLclIlahL was stlonger thullllIslIll-lIIied 111( IlIHlhint-dlild fibtI at IhiH )otut ion aH fOtlold to lw qllite Illoist aftcl standing OtIlIight It was htlng ill the (lllbshyhouse alld (lIitd without tXPWHIIC 10 the sun ~[a(hillC-dlied filllll flOnl rill alict llungulanoll wa~ llkel thall that from ~Iagllinshydunao whlItas the sun-lllied lihlI flollIlltlngulalloll US shong(I thun tlml frOIll Iaguindanuo It is indicatttl thai the BUlIgUlll101I fibcl was injnll(l hy I he nHllhilll thying

bull I (osta Hha on Iy onl (Ij iOIl was stull iet and the dat U nrc rcpoltedin tllt SUlll111alr tabhs (-il( lahll I 1middot1 and 1-1)

Two typts of ablasion tests (It nIH(gt (L) DeHignuh~ll SS twist ill wldeh til( BiJl lllIIHllCs 01 ralIIS NIlll having all S (wit were looped alOIlnd ladl ot hll ill thl S 01 clockwip tlill~dioll and (~) IIlHigna(pd SZ twiHI in widell tl( aln paeh wilh an S hiHt wele IOOPld IlIOUlld (a(h othlI ill thl Z 01 (ollnlpllI()(kisl dil(dioll In tlll-- twisl tIl(gt flidioll was along til( indhidllal libel whereas ill tltl -iZ it was a(Io I Ill Huels

111(1 datn 10111 t hl S-i t wist On t hl $ll11pllS flOJn PunlIl1a an Ieshy1)()11((1 in ttldp middot1middot Hlielly tli( gl(attst difllllnNS ObHPlvld elo ~howll by II( sHlllples lIonl ditlIIl1I1 IwighlH in tlu plant Tht base 01 st(tiolt I IIPP(tI(d 10 bl sigllifitalit Iy IliOn Ilsistant 10 abnlHioll than Ih( middle H(tiOIl ~ whielt was ill 111111 11I01l I(sistallt than (he top sldioll1 III othel old 1(si~llI(e to abrasion lllIeaSIS 110111 til( bas(upwuld

faking tlH dala Oil rpiRhlll(P to uUlaRion as a whole thlle Wlll no sigllifieanl dlfllINl((S iii posit iOIl ill (I(ISS sed ion VIIilIY 01 method of dlin TIllI was n tlIHlplH 101 t lIP Hlltr 110111 (hl illl1lI shealhs to bpIllOlP resistant to Hbnliiollthnll tha f1011l thl illtlIIl1ldintl and 0111(1 slipalhs h1lt t Itl high aliauility ouctd lIIade the diflelell(cs of dOllbtful sigtlifilnlHC

bull bull bull

TAllL 3-1iiber strength 1 in 1000 pounds per square inch for different positi)ns in the plant of su1Hiried and machineshyo ~

dried fiber of 2 varieties of abaca grown in Guatemala 8

Sun dried llachille dried Average

~pound $l ~ Col ~ $ $=-gt $ J ------n- I tj

Variptv and pOiitioll of ~ ltl ~ ~ 00 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 00 ~ ~ fiher in 1gtlnnt aJ I ltl) 0 ~ 0 a J 0 0 ~ 0 a ltl) ~ S

cr~ I --- -- o~ ~J~ 1pound d rL f rn g en = rn 71 a rn =r UJ m ~ ~ J- ~ 1 1 0 ~ ~~ 5-0 cgt ~ r i~ tgt f o 000 ltl) rn Q ltl)OO 0 en pound ltl)OO 0 enI

t=

- ~1middot~ = = ~ S -$ = --= ~~ ____ _O ~~I~__lt ~~~~_lt 0 Z__ __ __ lt

ltgt ltgtMngllirlfilJlllo I ~ I _ltgtSlctlOlI I __________ 1 SO n 840 I 7061768 81] 908 892 992 847191 0 1887 869 879 807 86 ]

ampctioll 2____________ L 53 I) I 61 7 66l 608 __ __ 7l] 754 590 71 2 __ bull ___ 665 686 62) 660 1___ 1 ___ 1___bull______ ------------------------------

~ Aprllge __________+_ -1(1)3 on2718 710 ____ 842 873 718181] ______ 767 782 718 760 ~

= BlIlIglIllllIOII j to1 Section L ___________ I]007 I1)04 i 782 l83 lll 952 ll7 844 847 Il1 0 I 97l l51 81 2 91 5 lI 4 C Section 2 __________________ 61 7 amp14 721 724 ______ 678 61 1 55 ) i 61 6 ______ 648 723 640 670 3

-wrnge ___________ -middot----=761sos852822== 763== 7ll837 727 703 768 777 792 ~ ======= = gtBoth vllrietiPR o

Rlltioll L ___________ l36 876 774 875 865 930 944 lI 8 847 HO l33 91 0 846 861 888 =Section 2____________ ==1578 726 6n 5 ~==~~ 574 664 == middot65 6 ~ 710 667 o

~ Aeruge__ ~ ______________ 727 750 785 766 ______ 83l 800 71 1 787 ______ 783 740 786 77~ ~ =Ovcr-III1I1lrI~c ____ -----+----+-----1------176 6 [------ ------1------ ------1 78 71______1______ ------l-~----I 777 to1

I a-inch span between u~sting jaws

bull bull bull lADU 4- Abr(t~ion ilsistanl( in number oj reroi1lfiol18 to iaihlre with lite SS twist for d(fferellt 11(Jsiticms in the plant

oj S1ltI-dried and muddIe-dried jiber oj 2 Jarieties oj abaca grown -in tlte Ohallguillo1a Falley lgtanama bull _~~ 0rT__ _~bullbull~ltlt~middot ------ -- ---~---~-----------

Sun dritd llachinc dried AverageI gt Variel Y lind PIISi iou of fiber J I I----l~------~--~I--~1~---------- f11

inpillnt 1-3Outer rnt~r- i Inner All Ollter I IlIt~r~ j Inner i All Outer j Int~r-el Inner j All ~

sheath HlldllltC sheaths sheaths -heathsmcdllltc sheaths sheaths sheaths~mcdJnt j sheaths sheaths ~ ~ shelths I IsheathSj I I Isheaths 0--- ------------ I -- I I

MagUindallno l 1 Hcctioll I _ __ ~_ _____ ~_ 1633 902 863 I 1132 592 1585 i 3293 1 823 11112 j 1244 f 2078 1478 tI

~RICt0I 2_~ bullbull ___ _ bullbull 1378 327 678) 794 355 1170 i 476 667 866 748 577 730Rcctlon 3 _________________ _ 483 bull 399 _ __ ___ __ bull ____ _ 441 0

~Aerag_________________ bull 1506 nl-t -no 803 i 474 1378 I 1884 9n3 i 9891 9961328 883 t ~ BII 1ll-lilllOIl gtltR(ctJolI 1 ___ _ __ N ____ _ I 13~ j I ~94 rl 4421~1 ~~3 i 1011 11 045 5981 88511222 1220 1020 1 154

Hection 2 ___ bull ____ o __ 492 0H

Section a____ __ _0 ________ 370 01 _I 038 193 1-middot- --middot----middot-1~93 2841 701 ----- c

bullbull 236 -- ---_l----- 184 -------1 ---- ------- 210 gtshy

Avtrllgt ______bull ________ _ tj 904 11048 --middot-middot1 732 1 602 ~I_- --1 421 753 1 960 l~------ 619 gtshyc

gtl~olh nrietiel I I I j If I Il~= oJ~cton~___ --------------- 1532 1148 1152 1277 8021315 1946 135411167 1232 1~~~11316 -tls~~n~ 3-======= --~~~-I---~~---~~~- ~gg -~--~~~~~J--~~- ~t~ l---~~T--~--middot-~~~-i ~~g tj

tI

verugc_un _____________ 1204 831 9151 7751 53811242 12111 762 j 8711 97811063 756

753 __~~~~Ii~~=gC-- --------+---- -+-----+------1 770 1-------1-------1-------1 715 1------+------------middot1

12 lBCHNICAL BULLEllN OH) U S DBPl OF AGRICULlURE

The data for the SZ twist at Panllma (table 5) were too variable to establish clear-cut trends for the variety Maguindanao but they indicate that in the variety Bungulanon the fiber from the base sec- bull tion 1 is more rcsistant to abrasion across the fibers thall that from section 2 which in turn is mOle resistant than that from sectioll 3 lhc ~un-dricd fiber appeared to be slightly more resistant than that dliel1 in the machinc and the fibl from the variety )Inguilldanao tended to be mOlC resistant than that from Bungtllanoll The variability was so grcat however that no reliance can be placed in the differences obshyselvell between areas of cross section

Tho data obtained Oil the sarnplEs from Honduras (tables 6 and 7) showed the atnc trclI(l as thoHe from Panama lhere is It marked difflrcnce bdwccn the firHt and second sections the Hlst being more lesilta nl to abrasion both alOll thl Iib 1 HS twist and acloss the fibet SZ twist (XClpt sllll-dried Magtlindanao) Other comparisons urc considcred of doubtful significance

1hl~ sample collected ill Gtlatelllala (tables 8 and 9) responded to physical testing more 01 less the same as those from Honduras Thele Ilppeared to be It signilicant difference between section 1 and edion 2 both in Ilsistanee to abmsion along the fiber SS twist aml across the fibel~ SZ twist Other (ompalisons were again doubtful

In geneml thl f1tx life of a tib(1 may be expected to inclease as the libel becomes softer and liner It may be inverse to the strength that is in(rease as the fiber strength de(reases The samples ftom Panama showed n tendell(y for the flex life to be greatest in the samples bull with the gratest fiber str~ngth (table 10) In general the base section 1 ga ye the greatest flex life as weU as tensile tL(lIgth but the variety Bllnguanon showed tIll greatest flex life in the 1l11ddle secshytion 2 Ill( emil fibels fom the outer sheaths showd a tendency fOt great-C flex life than the white line fibers from the imlCl sheaths Theun-(ltmiddotied fiber was slightly better than the machine-dded but the diflllell(es may not be significant

In gClPral the flex life of the libelS from Honduras (table 11) and frolll Guatcnala (table 12) followed the Same trends The flex life decleased IlP the plant bill them were no olltstanding dillerenccs beshytween locations ill cross section varieties and methods of drying

bull

bull bull bull TBLJ~ 5-~ Abrasfo1t1eltistallCe in number oj faolutiolls to failure with tlte SZ twist for different positions in the plant

lif (llll-frird and m(lchine-driedfiber oj 2 l(lJielirs oj abaca (frown in tlte Clwnglpoundinoia lalley Panama -~-I----~--

Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtVariety filid pOijtion oJ fiber I I i I I 1------------t--I I i

U2in plant ~Onitr Int~r- ~nl1(r I All I Outlr i Illt~r- InnCr All Outer Int~r- I Inner I All Csheath nsllcrllltljt~ sneaths sheaths shcathsIllIC(htljtCsmiddot sheaths shcatlL) sheathsIlljedlllthtc sheaths sheathsrlea IS I j s lea Ii rICIl 1 - I ~

MaguindallllO o------ ---1------1---1--_-_-------- ---ii o

l

ScctlOlI L bull __ _ _______--- 862 861 741 I 821 I 936 I 9461 8)4 912 8991 904 798 867 l tl~~~ll~ ~~==~_~==~==========I_~~~__ ~~J~~l~J 2 t~ L--~-L-~~----~~~- ~~~ ___~~~____~~-~-I 1 ~~~ 1----1--- I ---1--- a

qAverage _________________ I ~54 620 1 2 l1~J 1172 J 104 I 718 730 720 778 669 I 1824 I 946 gttBlllIglltalloll I -------j 1 ii 8

Section I bullbull _____________ bull ___I I (136 423 625 1 895 I 706 j I230 I 1 302 I 1079 I 171 826 964 987 - Stction2 ___ ___________ 70 306 i---- J 08 409 L_ ____ I______ 409 560 306 __ ~____ 433 S(ction3_____________________ ______________ 558 _ 1 _ -_+_ _ 200 __ ____ _ ____ ____ 379 ~

1 gtAY(rll~(_ ----------- ___ _1-rnmiddot-3fiq~=~-r-_6i)4 -1- 558]~~r-=-~~middot~~5ii3~- 866 566-------1 600 to gtoBoth varieties I gt

SctionL __________________ 1249 642 683 858 82111088 1078 996 1035 865 881 927 =fScction 2___________________ 978 342 5096 2139 240 489 606 445 609 370 2851 1277 toSection 3___________________ - _____ ----_ ______ _ 506 ------- ------- ------- 530 ------ -------1-- ----I 518 tl

I I

~~middotIle~~g~~~~~~~~~~~~ _~~~~~____~~__ ~~~~~_ ___ ~~~~ ---~~~-L-~- ---~-I---~~~J~~~~~- I =

Col)

bull bull

j-DLB 6-Abmsion resistance in number oj revolutions to jailure with the SS twist jor d~fferent positions middotin the plant oj ~

sun-dlied and machine-dried fiber oj 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Honduras ~

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ --- r-----j sect

8 8 t 3 Variety and position of ~

~ l JJ

a cgt ~ l ~ ced rn l g g ~ Il I ~I ~~ ] bj

cgt-ltgt 0 cgt-ltgt 0 C)~ 0 dfiber in plant ~ 00 2 -= Ul 0- Q)c 00 cgt

fii Scgt fii ii ~ a g Ul ~ s 1e g _ g ~ ~

~ -cgt sect 5r cgt fii - ii - ~ ~ 8 tI -w 8 E oo ~ E 8 800 tI ~ lt5 o l 6 t-I lt tI ] lt shy

--------------1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1--_1---1---1---1--- ~ ltgtl-Iaguindanllo 0

Secton 1 _________ ~ __ 1 8821 2 3231 1 aS51 736118241 804117251189011547114921 84311 98211 5S~1 j 14211 315 ~o SectlOll 2____________ ______ 282 1405 ____ _ 844 ______ 506 671 893 689 __ ~___ 465 10381 893 799

---_I___I____I___I___I____I____I____I________I___ --1---shy~ ~_I----I_--I-- ~ Average ___________ I______1 13021 1 3801-~----1 13341------1 11161 12801 12201 1090i ______1 12241 12gt61 ]0]81 1087

rl Bungulanoll t1

tlSection Lmiddot___________I 3 5621------1 1 36711 77612 2351 87511492111181149531460911762114921121715 1891 2415 ~Section 2____________ ______ 944 1886 761 1197 ______ 305 936 328 523 ______ 936 1411 544 964 3 Average ___________ I______I______ 1 16261 12681 1716_____ _ 8981 10271 76401 25661 ______1 12141 13141 2866j 1689 o

Ij

Both varieties gtshyoBeO L __________I 2222 2 323 36 12561 1790 840 1608 I 504 ~ 250 ~ 050 13021737 I 375 ~16611 895 ISectIOn 2___________ ______ 613 1646 761 1007 ______ 4Q6 804 610 607 ______ 700 1224 718 881 C

Average___________ == 1468 1504 100811398== 1007 1154 4430 1828 == 12181300 191211388 g 8 q

Over-all average___ ------ _____ -1- ___________1-1 83______ ------1------ ------ 1 8281==1------1------1------]1 388 I ~

bull

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

9

bull

bull

bull

A SlUD OF ltU QUALiTY OF AllACA FlllEH

shollgcst ill scdioll 1 the oulel OlHS lIext IIlId the inllCl olles weakest alld a tendellcy fot the outel SIHllths to ue stlOngel ill sectioll 2 was observed lhl~ ocIHI~ fibCl jllst belleath the stlllIky sheaths wus stOwshyet in section 1 The stil1-dlied tibel wus slightly blli lIot Rigllifi(lIntly stlollgel thall the oVlII-lttied TIll fiber ttOIll the alitl BlIllgulallon was agaill SllOllgtl thall that 110111 Magllillltallao

(olllpalllble datn 110111 these two vluiefies glOWIl in (iulltelllllltt lre given ill tllbl( 3 The fibel of the first lti-foot slction was again much stlollger i(I than that of the secolld which was only (i(i The Sllllshyditd Ii bltft-om the 0111 eL shla t hI was Oil the a velllgl slightly strollger than that ft-om the illlellIlcdialc andinllCl sheaths wlHlreas tll HIlLshy

(hille-tllild fibelflOIll the illtellIlediate sheaths howed the gllutest strellgtll III HOllduIIlS alld Gllatemula the sheaths well divided illto fOil I glOUPS FOlsiulisliealllllalysis 1I(Jlel~ datn tolthe fibll hOIll tll( oulel lllal lis ami that fol the stnaky fiuel just 1I11(1III(lIt h WeLC

conlbimd 101 (Olllplllison with till libel from Panallla III genelHi tho stIlaky (jUlI WUH found to be til( stlOIlgllSt filllI ill tlthe 1111 thlIeshyfon the uppaltn discleptIlt) in tlll data 110111 this locatiOIl lIlay be tltll to the conll)inatiollS tlsed

TIll oHn-dlil(l 01 Illllehill-dlied libel frolll UuaLclIlahL was stlonger thullllIslIll-lIIied 111( IlIHlhint-dlild fibtI at IhiH )otut ion aH fOtlold to lw qllite Illoist aftcl standing OtIlIight It was htlng ill the (lllbshyhouse alld (lIitd without tXPWHIIC 10 the sun ~[a(hillC-dlied filllll flOnl rill alict llungulanoll wa~ llkel thall that from ~Iagllinshydunao whlItas the sun-lllied lihlI flollIlltlngulalloll US shong(I thun tlml frOIll Iaguindanuo It is indicatttl thai the BUlIgUlll101I fibcl was injnll(l hy I he nHllhilll thying

bull I (osta Hha on Iy onl (Ij iOIl was stull iet and the dat U nrc rcpoltedin tllt SUlll111alr tabhs (-il( lahll I 1middot1 and 1-1)

Two typts of ablasion tests (It nIH(gt (L) DeHignuh~ll SS twist ill wldeh til( BiJl lllIIHllCs 01 ralIIS NIlll having all S (wit were looped alOIlnd ladl ot hll ill thl S 01 clockwip tlill~dioll and (~) IIlHigna(pd SZ twiHI in widell tl( aln paeh wilh an S hiHt wele IOOPld IlIOUlld (a(h othlI ill thl Z 01 (ollnlpllI()(kisl dil(dioll In tlll-- twisl tIl(gt flidioll was along til( indhidllal libel whereas ill tltl -iZ it was a(Io I Ill Huels

111(1 datn 10111 t hl S-i t wist On t hl $ll11pllS flOJn PunlIl1a an Ieshy1)()11((1 in ttldp middot1middot Hlielly tli( gl(attst difllllnNS ObHPlvld elo ~howll by II( sHlllples lIonl ditlIIl1I1 IwighlH in tlu plant Tht base 01 st(tiolt I IIPP(tI(d 10 bl sigllifitalit Iy IliOn Ilsistant 10 abnlHioll than Ih( middle H(tiOIl ~ whielt was ill 111111 11I01l I(sistallt than (he top sldioll1 III othel old 1(si~llI(e to abrasion lllIeaSIS 110111 til( bas(upwuld

faking tlH dala Oil rpiRhlll(P to uUlaRion as a whole thlle Wlll no sigllifieanl dlfllINl((S iii posit iOIl ill (I(ISS sed ion VIIilIY 01 method of dlin TIllI was n tlIHlplH 101 t lIP Hlltr 110111 (hl illl1lI shealhs to bpIllOlP resistant to Hbnliiollthnll tha f1011l thl illtlIIl1ldintl and 0111(1 slipalhs h1lt t Itl high aliauility ouctd lIIade the diflelell(cs of dOllbtful sigtlifilnlHC

bull bull bull

TAllL 3-1iiber strength 1 in 1000 pounds per square inch for different positi)ns in the plant of su1Hiried and machineshyo ~

dried fiber of 2 varieties of abaca grown in Guatemala 8

Sun dried llachille dried Average

~pound $l ~ Col ~ $ $=-gt $ J ------n- I tj

Variptv and pOiitioll of ~ ltl ~ ~ 00 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 00 ~ ~ fiher in 1gtlnnt aJ I ltl) 0 ~ 0 a J 0 0 ~ 0 a ltl) ~ S

cr~ I --- -- o~ ~J~ 1pound d rL f rn g en = rn 71 a rn =r UJ m ~ ~ J- ~ 1 1 0 ~ ~~ 5-0 cgt ~ r i~ tgt f o 000 ltl) rn Q ltl)OO 0 en pound ltl)OO 0 enI

t=

- ~1middot~ = = ~ S -$ = --= ~~ ____ _O ~~I~__lt ~~~~_lt 0 Z__ __ __ lt

ltgt ltgtMngllirlfilJlllo I ~ I _ltgtSlctlOlI I __________ 1 SO n 840 I 7061768 81] 908 892 992 847191 0 1887 869 879 807 86 ]

ampctioll 2____________ L 53 I) I 61 7 66l 608 __ __ 7l] 754 590 71 2 __ bull ___ 665 686 62) 660 1___ 1 ___ 1___bull______ ------------------------------

~ Aprllge __________+_ -1(1)3 on2718 710 ____ 842 873 718181] ______ 767 782 718 760 ~

= BlIlIglIllllIOII j to1 Section L ___________ I]007 I1)04 i 782 l83 lll 952 ll7 844 847 Il1 0 I 97l l51 81 2 91 5 lI 4 C Section 2 __________________ 61 7 amp14 721 724 ______ 678 61 1 55 ) i 61 6 ______ 648 723 640 670 3

-wrnge ___________ -middot----=761sos852822== 763== 7ll837 727 703 768 777 792 ~ ======= = gtBoth vllrietiPR o

Rlltioll L ___________ l36 876 774 875 865 930 944 lI 8 847 HO l33 91 0 846 861 888 =Section 2____________ ==1578 726 6n 5 ~==~~ 574 664 == middot65 6 ~ 710 667 o

~ Aeruge__ ~ ______________ 727 750 785 766 ______ 83l 800 71 1 787 ______ 783 740 786 77~ ~ =Ovcr-III1I1lrI~c ____ -----+----+-----1------176 6 [------ ------1------ ------1 78 71______1______ ------l-~----I 777 to1

I a-inch span between u~sting jaws

bull bull bull lADU 4- Abr(t~ion ilsistanl( in number oj reroi1lfiol18 to iaihlre with lite SS twist for d(fferellt 11(Jsiticms in the plant

oj S1ltI-dried and muddIe-dried jiber oj 2 Jarieties oj abaca grown -in tlte Ohallguillo1a Falley lgtanama bull _~~ 0rT__ _~bullbull~ltlt~middot ------ -- ---~---~-----------

Sun dritd llachinc dried AverageI gt Variel Y lind PIISi iou of fiber J I I----l~------~--~I--~1~---------- f11

inpillnt 1-3Outer rnt~r- i Inner All Ollter I IlIt~r~ j Inner i All Outer j Int~r-el Inner j All ~

sheath HlldllltC sheaths sheaths -heathsmcdllltc sheaths sheaths sheaths~mcdJnt j sheaths sheaths ~ ~ shelths I IsheathSj I I Isheaths 0--- ------------ I -- I I

MagUindallno l 1 Hcctioll I _ __ ~_ _____ ~_ 1633 902 863 I 1132 592 1585 i 3293 1 823 11112 j 1244 f 2078 1478 tI

~RICt0I 2_~ bullbull ___ _ bullbull 1378 327 678) 794 355 1170 i 476 667 866 748 577 730Rcctlon 3 _________________ _ 483 bull 399 _ __ ___ __ bull ____ _ 441 0

~Aerag_________________ bull 1506 nl-t -no 803 i 474 1378 I 1884 9n3 i 9891 9961328 883 t ~ BII 1ll-lilllOIl gtltR(ctJolI 1 ___ _ __ N ____ _ I 13~ j I ~94 rl 4421~1 ~~3 i 1011 11 045 5981 88511222 1220 1020 1 154

Hection 2 ___ bull ____ o __ 492 0H

Section a____ __ _0 ________ 370 01 _I 038 193 1-middot- --middot----middot-1~93 2841 701 ----- c

bullbull 236 -- ---_l----- 184 -------1 ---- ------- 210 gtshy

Avtrllgt ______bull ________ _ tj 904 11048 --middot-middot1 732 1 602 ~I_- --1 421 753 1 960 l~------ 619 gtshyc

gtl~olh nrietiel I I I j If I Il~= oJ~cton~___ --------------- 1532 1148 1152 1277 8021315 1946 135411167 1232 1~~~11316 -tls~~n~ 3-======= --~~~-I---~~---~~~- ~gg -~--~~~~~J--~~- ~t~ l---~~T--~--middot-~~~-i ~~g tj

tI

verugc_un _____________ 1204 831 9151 7751 53811242 12111 762 j 8711 97811063 756

753 __~~~~Ii~~=gC-- --------+---- -+-----+------1 770 1-------1-------1-------1 715 1------+------------middot1

12 lBCHNICAL BULLEllN OH) U S DBPl OF AGRICULlURE

The data for the SZ twist at Panllma (table 5) were too variable to establish clear-cut trends for the variety Maguindanao but they indicate that in the variety Bungulanon the fiber from the base sec- bull tion 1 is more rcsistant to abrasion across the fibers thall that from section 2 which in turn is mOle resistant than that from sectioll 3 lhc ~un-dricd fiber appeared to be slightly more resistant than that dliel1 in the machinc and the fibl from the variety )Inguilldanao tended to be mOlC resistant than that from Bungtllanoll The variability was so grcat however that no reliance can be placed in the differences obshyselvell between areas of cross section

Tho data obtained Oil the sarnplEs from Honduras (tables 6 and 7) showed the atnc trclI(l as thoHe from Panama lhere is It marked difflrcnce bdwccn the firHt and second sections the Hlst being more lesilta nl to abrasion both alOll thl Iib 1 HS twist and acloss the fibet SZ twist (XClpt sllll-dried Magtlindanao) Other comparisons urc considcred of doubtful significance

1hl~ sample collected ill Gtlatelllala (tables 8 and 9) responded to physical testing more 01 less the same as those from Honduras Thele Ilppeared to be It signilicant difference between section 1 and edion 2 both in Ilsistanee to abmsion along the fiber SS twist aml across the fibel~ SZ twist Other (ompalisons were again doubtful

In geneml thl f1tx life of a tib(1 may be expected to inclease as the libel becomes softer and liner It may be inverse to the strength that is in(rease as the fiber strength de(reases The samples ftom Panama showed n tendell(y for the flex life to be greatest in the samples bull with the gratest fiber str~ngth (table 10) In general the base section 1 ga ye the greatest flex life as weU as tensile tL(lIgth but the variety Bllnguanon showed tIll greatest flex life in the 1l11ddle secshytion 2 Ill( emil fibels fom the outer sheaths showd a tendency fOt great-C flex life than the white line fibers from the imlCl sheaths Theun-(ltmiddotied fiber was slightly better than the machine-dded but the diflllell(es may not be significant

In gClPral the flex life of the libelS from Honduras (table 11) and frolll Guatcnala (table 12) followed the Same trends The flex life decleased IlP the plant bill them were no olltstanding dillerenccs beshytween locations ill cross section varieties and methods of drying

bull

bull bull bull TBLJ~ 5-~ Abrasfo1t1eltistallCe in number oj faolutiolls to failure with tlte SZ twist for different positions in the plant

lif (llll-frird and m(lchine-driedfiber oj 2 l(lJielirs oj abaca (frown in tlte Clwnglpoundinoia lalley Panama -~-I----~--

Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtVariety filid pOijtion oJ fiber I I i I I 1------------t--I I i

U2in plant ~Onitr Int~r- ~nl1(r I All I Outlr i Illt~r- InnCr All Outer Int~r- I Inner I All Csheath nsllcrllltljt~ sneaths sheaths shcathsIllIC(htljtCsmiddot sheaths shcatlL) sheathsIlljedlllthtc sheaths sheathsrlea IS I j s lea Ii rICIl 1 - I ~

MaguindallllO o------ ---1------1---1--_-_-------- ---ii o

l

ScctlOlI L bull __ _ _______--- 862 861 741 I 821 I 936 I 9461 8)4 912 8991 904 798 867 l tl~~~ll~ ~~==~_~==~==========I_~~~__ ~~J~~l~J 2 t~ L--~-L-~~----~~~- ~~~ ___~~~____~~-~-I 1 ~~~ 1----1--- I ---1--- a

qAverage _________________ I ~54 620 1 2 l1~J 1172 J 104 I 718 730 720 778 669 I 1824 I 946 gttBlllIglltalloll I -------j 1 ii 8

Section I bullbull _____________ bull ___I I (136 423 625 1 895 I 706 j I230 I 1 302 I 1079 I 171 826 964 987 - Stction2 ___ ___________ 70 306 i---- J 08 409 L_ ____ I______ 409 560 306 __ ~____ 433 S(ction3_____________________ ______________ 558 _ 1 _ -_+_ _ 200 __ ____ _ ____ ____ 379 ~

1 gtAY(rll~(_ ----------- ___ _1-rnmiddot-3fiq~=~-r-_6i)4 -1- 558]~~r-=-~~middot~~5ii3~- 866 566-------1 600 to gtoBoth varieties I gt

SctionL __________________ 1249 642 683 858 82111088 1078 996 1035 865 881 927 =fScction 2___________________ 978 342 5096 2139 240 489 606 445 609 370 2851 1277 toSection 3___________________ - _____ ----_ ______ _ 506 ------- ------- ------- 530 ------ -------1-- ----I 518 tl

I I

~~middotIle~~g~~~~~~~~~~~~ _~~~~~____~~__ ~~~~~_ ___ ~~~~ ---~~~-L-~- ---~-I---~~~J~~~~~- I =

Col)

bull bull

j-DLB 6-Abmsion resistance in number oj revolutions to jailure with the SS twist jor d~fferent positions middotin the plant oj ~

sun-dlied and machine-dried fiber oj 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Honduras ~

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ --- r-----j sect

8 8 t 3 Variety and position of ~

~ l JJ

a cgt ~ l ~ ced rn l g g ~ Il I ~I ~~ ] bj

cgt-ltgt 0 cgt-ltgt 0 C)~ 0 dfiber in plant ~ 00 2 -= Ul 0- Q)c 00 cgt

fii Scgt fii ii ~ a g Ul ~ s 1e g _ g ~ ~

~ -cgt sect 5r cgt fii - ii - ~ ~ 8 tI -w 8 E oo ~ E 8 800 tI ~ lt5 o l 6 t-I lt tI ] lt shy

--------------1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1--_1---1---1---1--- ~ ltgtl-Iaguindanllo 0

Secton 1 _________ ~ __ 1 8821 2 3231 1 aS51 736118241 804117251189011547114921 84311 98211 5S~1 j 14211 315 ~o SectlOll 2____________ ______ 282 1405 ____ _ 844 ______ 506 671 893 689 __ ~___ 465 10381 893 799

---_I___I____I___I___I____I____I____I________I___ --1---shy~ ~_I----I_--I-- ~ Average ___________ I______1 13021 1 3801-~----1 13341------1 11161 12801 12201 1090i ______1 12241 12gt61 ]0]81 1087

rl Bungulanoll t1

tlSection Lmiddot___________I 3 5621------1 1 36711 77612 2351 87511492111181149531460911762114921121715 1891 2415 ~Section 2____________ ______ 944 1886 761 1197 ______ 305 936 328 523 ______ 936 1411 544 964 3 Average ___________ I______I______ 1 16261 12681 1716_____ _ 8981 10271 76401 25661 ______1 12141 13141 2866j 1689 o

Ij

Both varieties gtshyoBeO L __________I 2222 2 323 36 12561 1790 840 1608 I 504 ~ 250 ~ 050 13021737 I 375 ~16611 895 ISectIOn 2___________ ______ 613 1646 761 1007 ______ 4Q6 804 610 607 ______ 700 1224 718 881 C

Average___________ == 1468 1504 100811398== 1007 1154 4430 1828 == 12181300 191211388 g 8 q

Over-all average___ ------ _____ -1- ___________1-1 83______ ------1------ ------ 1 8281==1------1------1------]1 388 I ~

bull

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

bull bull bull

TAllL 3-1iiber strength 1 in 1000 pounds per square inch for different positi)ns in the plant of su1Hiried and machineshyo ~

dried fiber of 2 varieties of abaca grown in Guatemala 8

Sun dried llachille dried Average

~pound $l ~ Col ~ $ $=-gt $ J ------n- I tj

Variptv and pOiitioll of ~ ltl ~ ~ 00 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 00 ~ ~ fiher in 1gtlnnt aJ I ltl) 0 ~ 0 a J 0 0 ~ 0 a ltl) ~ S

cr~ I --- -- o~ ~J~ 1pound d rL f rn g en = rn 71 a rn =r UJ m ~ ~ J- ~ 1 1 0 ~ ~~ 5-0 cgt ~ r i~ tgt f o 000 ltl) rn Q ltl)OO 0 en pound ltl)OO 0 enI

t=

- ~1middot~ = = ~ S -$ = --= ~~ ____ _O ~~I~__lt ~~~~_lt 0 Z__ __ __ lt

ltgt ltgtMngllirlfilJlllo I ~ I _ltgtSlctlOlI I __________ 1 SO n 840 I 7061768 81] 908 892 992 847191 0 1887 869 879 807 86 ]

ampctioll 2____________ L 53 I) I 61 7 66l 608 __ __ 7l] 754 590 71 2 __ bull ___ 665 686 62) 660 1___ 1 ___ 1___bull______ ------------------------------

~ Aprllge __________+_ -1(1)3 on2718 710 ____ 842 873 718181] ______ 767 782 718 760 ~

= BlIlIglIllllIOII j to1 Section L ___________ I]007 I1)04 i 782 l83 lll 952 ll7 844 847 Il1 0 I 97l l51 81 2 91 5 lI 4 C Section 2 __________________ 61 7 amp14 721 724 ______ 678 61 1 55 ) i 61 6 ______ 648 723 640 670 3

-wrnge ___________ -middot----=761sos852822== 763== 7ll837 727 703 768 777 792 ~ ======= = gtBoth vllrietiPR o

Rlltioll L ___________ l36 876 774 875 865 930 944 lI 8 847 HO l33 91 0 846 861 888 =Section 2____________ ==1578 726 6n 5 ~==~~ 574 664 == middot65 6 ~ 710 667 o

~ Aeruge__ ~ ______________ 727 750 785 766 ______ 83l 800 71 1 787 ______ 783 740 786 77~ ~ =Ovcr-III1I1lrI~c ____ -----+----+-----1------176 6 [------ ------1------ ------1 78 71______1______ ------l-~----I 777 to1

I a-inch span between u~sting jaws

bull bull bull lADU 4- Abr(t~ion ilsistanl( in number oj reroi1lfiol18 to iaihlre with lite SS twist for d(fferellt 11(Jsiticms in the plant

oj S1ltI-dried and muddIe-dried jiber oj 2 Jarieties oj abaca grown -in tlte Ohallguillo1a Falley lgtanama bull _~~ 0rT__ _~bullbull~ltlt~middot ------ -- ---~---~-----------

Sun dritd llachinc dried AverageI gt Variel Y lind PIISi iou of fiber J I I----l~------~--~I--~1~---------- f11

inpillnt 1-3Outer rnt~r- i Inner All Ollter I IlIt~r~ j Inner i All Outer j Int~r-el Inner j All ~

sheath HlldllltC sheaths sheaths -heathsmcdllltc sheaths sheaths sheaths~mcdJnt j sheaths sheaths ~ ~ shelths I IsheathSj I I Isheaths 0--- ------------ I -- I I

MagUindallno l 1 Hcctioll I _ __ ~_ _____ ~_ 1633 902 863 I 1132 592 1585 i 3293 1 823 11112 j 1244 f 2078 1478 tI

~RICt0I 2_~ bullbull ___ _ bullbull 1378 327 678) 794 355 1170 i 476 667 866 748 577 730Rcctlon 3 _________________ _ 483 bull 399 _ __ ___ __ bull ____ _ 441 0

~Aerag_________________ bull 1506 nl-t -no 803 i 474 1378 I 1884 9n3 i 9891 9961328 883 t ~ BII 1ll-lilllOIl gtltR(ctJolI 1 ___ _ __ N ____ _ I 13~ j I ~94 rl 4421~1 ~~3 i 1011 11 045 5981 88511222 1220 1020 1 154

Hection 2 ___ bull ____ o __ 492 0H

Section a____ __ _0 ________ 370 01 _I 038 193 1-middot- --middot----middot-1~93 2841 701 ----- c

bullbull 236 -- ---_l----- 184 -------1 ---- ------- 210 gtshy

Avtrllgt ______bull ________ _ tj 904 11048 --middot-middot1 732 1 602 ~I_- --1 421 753 1 960 l~------ 619 gtshyc

gtl~olh nrietiel I I I j If I Il~= oJ~cton~___ --------------- 1532 1148 1152 1277 8021315 1946 135411167 1232 1~~~11316 -tls~~n~ 3-======= --~~~-I---~~---~~~- ~gg -~--~~~~~J--~~- ~t~ l---~~T--~--middot-~~~-i ~~g tj

tI

verugc_un _____________ 1204 831 9151 7751 53811242 12111 762 j 8711 97811063 756

753 __~~~~Ii~~=gC-- --------+---- -+-----+------1 770 1-------1-------1-------1 715 1------+------------middot1

12 lBCHNICAL BULLEllN OH) U S DBPl OF AGRICULlURE

The data for the SZ twist at Panllma (table 5) were too variable to establish clear-cut trends for the variety Maguindanao but they indicate that in the variety Bungulanon the fiber from the base sec- bull tion 1 is more rcsistant to abrasion across the fibers thall that from section 2 which in turn is mOle resistant than that from sectioll 3 lhc ~un-dricd fiber appeared to be slightly more resistant than that dliel1 in the machinc and the fibl from the variety )Inguilldanao tended to be mOlC resistant than that from Bungtllanoll The variability was so grcat however that no reliance can be placed in the differences obshyselvell between areas of cross section

Tho data obtained Oil the sarnplEs from Honduras (tables 6 and 7) showed the atnc trclI(l as thoHe from Panama lhere is It marked difflrcnce bdwccn the firHt and second sections the Hlst being more lesilta nl to abrasion both alOll thl Iib 1 HS twist and acloss the fibet SZ twist (XClpt sllll-dried Magtlindanao) Other comparisons urc considcred of doubtful significance

1hl~ sample collected ill Gtlatelllala (tables 8 and 9) responded to physical testing more 01 less the same as those from Honduras Thele Ilppeared to be It signilicant difference between section 1 and edion 2 both in Ilsistanee to abmsion along the fiber SS twist aml across the fibel~ SZ twist Other (ompalisons were again doubtful

In geneml thl f1tx life of a tib(1 may be expected to inclease as the libel becomes softer and liner It may be inverse to the strength that is in(rease as the fiber strength de(reases The samples ftom Panama showed n tendell(y for the flex life to be greatest in the samples bull with the gratest fiber str~ngth (table 10) In general the base section 1 ga ye the greatest flex life as weU as tensile tL(lIgth but the variety Bllnguanon showed tIll greatest flex life in the 1l11ddle secshytion 2 Ill( emil fibels fom the outer sheaths showd a tendency fOt great-C flex life than the white line fibers from the imlCl sheaths Theun-(ltmiddotied fiber was slightly better than the machine-dded but the diflllell(es may not be significant

In gClPral the flex life of the libelS from Honduras (table 11) and frolll Guatcnala (table 12) followed the Same trends The flex life decleased IlP the plant bill them were no olltstanding dillerenccs beshytween locations ill cross section varieties and methods of drying

bull

bull bull bull TBLJ~ 5-~ Abrasfo1t1eltistallCe in number oj faolutiolls to failure with tlte SZ twist for different positions in the plant

lif (llll-frird and m(lchine-driedfiber oj 2 l(lJielirs oj abaca (frown in tlte Clwnglpoundinoia lalley Panama -~-I----~--

Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtVariety filid pOijtion oJ fiber I I i I I 1------------t--I I i

U2in plant ~Onitr Int~r- ~nl1(r I All I Outlr i Illt~r- InnCr All Outer Int~r- I Inner I All Csheath nsllcrllltljt~ sneaths sheaths shcathsIllIC(htljtCsmiddot sheaths shcatlL) sheathsIlljedlllthtc sheaths sheathsrlea IS I j s lea Ii rICIl 1 - I ~

MaguindallllO o------ ---1------1---1--_-_-------- ---ii o

l

ScctlOlI L bull __ _ _______--- 862 861 741 I 821 I 936 I 9461 8)4 912 8991 904 798 867 l tl~~~ll~ ~~==~_~==~==========I_~~~__ ~~J~~l~J 2 t~ L--~-L-~~----~~~- ~~~ ___~~~____~~-~-I 1 ~~~ 1----1--- I ---1--- a

qAverage _________________ I ~54 620 1 2 l1~J 1172 J 104 I 718 730 720 778 669 I 1824 I 946 gttBlllIglltalloll I -------j 1 ii 8

Section I bullbull _____________ bull ___I I (136 423 625 1 895 I 706 j I230 I 1 302 I 1079 I 171 826 964 987 - Stction2 ___ ___________ 70 306 i---- J 08 409 L_ ____ I______ 409 560 306 __ ~____ 433 S(ction3_____________________ ______________ 558 _ 1 _ -_+_ _ 200 __ ____ _ ____ ____ 379 ~

1 gtAY(rll~(_ ----------- ___ _1-rnmiddot-3fiq~=~-r-_6i)4 -1- 558]~~r-=-~~middot~~5ii3~- 866 566-------1 600 to gtoBoth varieties I gt

SctionL __________________ 1249 642 683 858 82111088 1078 996 1035 865 881 927 =fScction 2___________________ 978 342 5096 2139 240 489 606 445 609 370 2851 1277 toSection 3___________________ - _____ ----_ ______ _ 506 ------- ------- ------- 530 ------ -------1-- ----I 518 tl

I I

~~middotIle~~g~~~~~~~~~~~~ _~~~~~____~~__ ~~~~~_ ___ ~~~~ ---~~~-L-~- ---~-I---~~~J~~~~~- I =

Col)

bull bull

j-DLB 6-Abmsion resistance in number oj revolutions to jailure with the SS twist jor d~fferent positions middotin the plant oj ~

sun-dlied and machine-dried fiber oj 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Honduras ~

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ --- r-----j sect

8 8 t 3 Variety and position of ~

~ l JJ

a cgt ~ l ~ ced rn l g g ~ Il I ~I ~~ ] bj

cgt-ltgt 0 cgt-ltgt 0 C)~ 0 dfiber in plant ~ 00 2 -= Ul 0- Q)c 00 cgt

fii Scgt fii ii ~ a g Ul ~ s 1e g _ g ~ ~

~ -cgt sect 5r cgt fii - ii - ~ ~ 8 tI -w 8 E oo ~ E 8 800 tI ~ lt5 o l 6 t-I lt tI ] lt shy

--------------1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1--_1---1---1---1--- ~ ltgtl-Iaguindanllo 0

Secton 1 _________ ~ __ 1 8821 2 3231 1 aS51 736118241 804117251189011547114921 84311 98211 5S~1 j 14211 315 ~o SectlOll 2____________ ______ 282 1405 ____ _ 844 ______ 506 671 893 689 __ ~___ 465 10381 893 799

---_I___I____I___I___I____I____I____I________I___ --1---shy~ ~_I----I_--I-- ~ Average ___________ I______1 13021 1 3801-~----1 13341------1 11161 12801 12201 1090i ______1 12241 12gt61 ]0]81 1087

rl Bungulanoll t1

tlSection Lmiddot___________I 3 5621------1 1 36711 77612 2351 87511492111181149531460911762114921121715 1891 2415 ~Section 2____________ ______ 944 1886 761 1197 ______ 305 936 328 523 ______ 936 1411 544 964 3 Average ___________ I______I______ 1 16261 12681 1716_____ _ 8981 10271 76401 25661 ______1 12141 13141 2866j 1689 o

Ij

Both varieties gtshyoBeO L __________I 2222 2 323 36 12561 1790 840 1608 I 504 ~ 250 ~ 050 13021737 I 375 ~16611 895 ISectIOn 2___________ ______ 613 1646 761 1007 ______ 4Q6 804 610 607 ______ 700 1224 718 881 C

Average___________ == 1468 1504 100811398== 1007 1154 4430 1828 == 12181300 191211388 g 8 q

Over-all average___ ------ _____ -1- ___________1-1 83______ ------1------ ------ 1 8281==1------1------1------]1 388 I ~

bull

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

bull bull bull lADU 4- Abr(t~ion ilsistanl( in number oj reroi1lfiol18 to iaihlre with lite SS twist for d(fferellt 11(Jsiticms in the plant

oj S1ltI-dried and muddIe-dried jiber oj 2 Jarieties oj abaca grown -in tlte Ohallguillo1a Falley lgtanama bull _~~ 0rT__ _~bullbull~ltlt~middot ------ -- ---~---~-----------

Sun dritd llachinc dried AverageI gt Variel Y lind PIISi iou of fiber J I I----l~------~--~I--~1~---------- f11

inpillnt 1-3Outer rnt~r- i Inner All Ollter I IlIt~r~ j Inner i All Outer j Int~r-el Inner j All ~

sheath HlldllltC sheaths sheaths -heathsmcdllltc sheaths sheaths sheaths~mcdJnt j sheaths sheaths ~ ~ shelths I IsheathSj I I Isheaths 0--- ------------ I -- I I

MagUindallno l 1 Hcctioll I _ __ ~_ _____ ~_ 1633 902 863 I 1132 592 1585 i 3293 1 823 11112 j 1244 f 2078 1478 tI

~RICt0I 2_~ bullbull ___ _ bullbull 1378 327 678) 794 355 1170 i 476 667 866 748 577 730Rcctlon 3 _________________ _ 483 bull 399 _ __ ___ __ bull ____ _ 441 0

~Aerag_________________ bull 1506 nl-t -no 803 i 474 1378 I 1884 9n3 i 9891 9961328 883 t ~ BII 1ll-lilllOIl gtltR(ctJolI 1 ___ _ __ N ____ _ I 13~ j I ~94 rl 4421~1 ~~3 i 1011 11 045 5981 88511222 1220 1020 1 154

Hection 2 ___ bull ____ o __ 492 0H

Section a____ __ _0 ________ 370 01 _I 038 193 1-middot- --middot----middot-1~93 2841 701 ----- c

bullbull 236 -- ---_l----- 184 -------1 ---- ------- 210 gtshy

Avtrllgt ______bull ________ _ tj 904 11048 --middot-middot1 732 1 602 ~I_- --1 421 753 1 960 l~------ 619 gtshyc

gtl~olh nrietiel I I I j If I Il~= oJ~cton~___ --------------- 1532 1148 1152 1277 8021315 1946 135411167 1232 1~~~11316 -tls~~n~ 3-======= --~~~-I---~~---~~~- ~gg -~--~~~~~J--~~- ~t~ l---~~T--~--middot-~~~-i ~~g tj

tI

verugc_un _____________ 1204 831 9151 7751 53811242 12111 762 j 8711 97811063 756

753 __~~~~Ii~~=gC-- --------+---- -+-----+------1 770 1-------1-------1-------1 715 1------+------------middot1

12 lBCHNICAL BULLEllN OH) U S DBPl OF AGRICULlURE

The data for the SZ twist at Panllma (table 5) were too variable to establish clear-cut trends for the variety Maguindanao but they indicate that in the variety Bungulanon the fiber from the base sec- bull tion 1 is more rcsistant to abrasion across the fibers thall that from section 2 which in turn is mOle resistant than that from sectioll 3 lhc ~un-dricd fiber appeared to be slightly more resistant than that dliel1 in the machinc and the fibl from the variety )Inguilldanao tended to be mOlC resistant than that from Bungtllanoll The variability was so grcat however that no reliance can be placed in the differences obshyselvell between areas of cross section

Tho data obtained Oil the sarnplEs from Honduras (tables 6 and 7) showed the atnc trclI(l as thoHe from Panama lhere is It marked difflrcnce bdwccn the firHt and second sections the Hlst being more lesilta nl to abrasion both alOll thl Iib 1 HS twist and acloss the fibet SZ twist (XClpt sllll-dried Magtlindanao) Other comparisons urc considcred of doubtful significance

1hl~ sample collected ill Gtlatelllala (tables 8 and 9) responded to physical testing more 01 less the same as those from Honduras Thele Ilppeared to be It signilicant difference between section 1 and edion 2 both in Ilsistanee to abmsion along the fiber SS twist aml across the fibel~ SZ twist Other (ompalisons were again doubtful

In geneml thl f1tx life of a tib(1 may be expected to inclease as the libel becomes softer and liner It may be inverse to the strength that is in(rease as the fiber strength de(reases The samples ftom Panama showed n tendell(y for the flex life to be greatest in the samples bull with the gratest fiber str~ngth (table 10) In general the base section 1 ga ye the greatest flex life as weU as tensile tL(lIgth but the variety Bllnguanon showed tIll greatest flex life in the 1l11ddle secshytion 2 Ill( emil fibels fom the outer sheaths showd a tendency fOt great-C flex life than the white line fibers from the imlCl sheaths Theun-(ltmiddotied fiber was slightly better than the machine-dded but the diflllell(es may not be significant

In gClPral the flex life of the libelS from Honduras (table 11) and frolll Guatcnala (table 12) followed the Same trends The flex life decleased IlP the plant bill them were no olltstanding dillerenccs beshytween locations ill cross section varieties and methods of drying

bull

bull bull bull TBLJ~ 5-~ Abrasfo1t1eltistallCe in number oj faolutiolls to failure with tlte SZ twist for different positions in the plant

lif (llll-frird and m(lchine-driedfiber oj 2 l(lJielirs oj abaca (frown in tlte Clwnglpoundinoia lalley Panama -~-I----~--

Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtVariety filid pOijtion oJ fiber I I i I I 1------------t--I I i

U2in plant ~Onitr Int~r- ~nl1(r I All I Outlr i Illt~r- InnCr All Outer Int~r- I Inner I All Csheath nsllcrllltljt~ sneaths sheaths shcathsIllIC(htljtCsmiddot sheaths shcatlL) sheathsIlljedlllthtc sheaths sheathsrlea IS I j s lea Ii rICIl 1 - I ~

MaguindallllO o------ ---1------1---1--_-_-------- ---ii o

l

ScctlOlI L bull __ _ _______--- 862 861 741 I 821 I 936 I 9461 8)4 912 8991 904 798 867 l tl~~~ll~ ~~==~_~==~==========I_~~~__ ~~J~~l~J 2 t~ L--~-L-~~----~~~- ~~~ ___~~~____~~-~-I 1 ~~~ 1----1--- I ---1--- a

qAverage _________________ I ~54 620 1 2 l1~J 1172 J 104 I 718 730 720 778 669 I 1824 I 946 gttBlllIglltalloll I -------j 1 ii 8

Section I bullbull _____________ bull ___I I (136 423 625 1 895 I 706 j I230 I 1 302 I 1079 I 171 826 964 987 - Stction2 ___ ___________ 70 306 i---- J 08 409 L_ ____ I______ 409 560 306 __ ~____ 433 S(ction3_____________________ ______________ 558 _ 1 _ -_+_ _ 200 __ ____ _ ____ ____ 379 ~

1 gtAY(rll~(_ ----------- ___ _1-rnmiddot-3fiq~=~-r-_6i)4 -1- 558]~~r-=-~~middot~~5ii3~- 866 566-------1 600 to gtoBoth varieties I gt

SctionL __________________ 1249 642 683 858 82111088 1078 996 1035 865 881 927 =fScction 2___________________ 978 342 5096 2139 240 489 606 445 609 370 2851 1277 toSection 3___________________ - _____ ----_ ______ _ 506 ------- ------- ------- 530 ------ -------1-- ----I 518 tl

I I

~~middotIle~~g~~~~~~~~~~~~ _~~~~~____~~__ ~~~~~_ ___ ~~~~ ---~~~-L-~- ---~-I---~~~J~~~~~- I =

Col)

bull bull

j-DLB 6-Abmsion resistance in number oj revolutions to jailure with the SS twist jor d~fferent positions middotin the plant oj ~

sun-dlied and machine-dried fiber oj 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Honduras ~

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ --- r-----j sect

8 8 t 3 Variety and position of ~

~ l JJ

a cgt ~ l ~ ced rn l g g ~ Il I ~I ~~ ] bj

cgt-ltgt 0 cgt-ltgt 0 C)~ 0 dfiber in plant ~ 00 2 -= Ul 0- Q)c 00 cgt

fii Scgt fii ii ~ a g Ul ~ s 1e g _ g ~ ~

~ -cgt sect 5r cgt fii - ii - ~ ~ 8 tI -w 8 E oo ~ E 8 800 tI ~ lt5 o l 6 t-I lt tI ] lt shy

--------------1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1--_1---1---1---1--- ~ ltgtl-Iaguindanllo 0

Secton 1 _________ ~ __ 1 8821 2 3231 1 aS51 736118241 804117251189011547114921 84311 98211 5S~1 j 14211 315 ~o SectlOll 2____________ ______ 282 1405 ____ _ 844 ______ 506 671 893 689 __ ~___ 465 10381 893 799

---_I___I____I___I___I____I____I____I________I___ --1---shy~ ~_I----I_--I-- ~ Average ___________ I______1 13021 1 3801-~----1 13341------1 11161 12801 12201 1090i ______1 12241 12gt61 ]0]81 1087

rl Bungulanoll t1

tlSection Lmiddot___________I 3 5621------1 1 36711 77612 2351 87511492111181149531460911762114921121715 1891 2415 ~Section 2____________ ______ 944 1886 761 1197 ______ 305 936 328 523 ______ 936 1411 544 964 3 Average ___________ I______I______ 1 16261 12681 1716_____ _ 8981 10271 76401 25661 ______1 12141 13141 2866j 1689 o

Ij

Both varieties gtshyoBeO L __________I 2222 2 323 36 12561 1790 840 1608 I 504 ~ 250 ~ 050 13021737 I 375 ~16611 895 ISectIOn 2___________ ______ 613 1646 761 1007 ______ 4Q6 804 610 607 ______ 700 1224 718 881 C

Average___________ == 1468 1504 100811398== 1007 1154 4430 1828 == 12181300 191211388 g 8 q

Over-all average___ ------ _____ -1- ___________1-1 83______ ------1------ ------ 1 8281==1------1------1------]1 388 I ~

bull

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

12 lBCHNICAL BULLEllN OH) U S DBPl OF AGRICULlURE

The data for the SZ twist at Panllma (table 5) were too variable to establish clear-cut trends for the variety Maguindanao but they indicate that in the variety Bungulanon the fiber from the base sec- bull tion 1 is more rcsistant to abrasion across the fibers thall that from section 2 which in turn is mOle resistant than that from sectioll 3 lhc ~un-dricd fiber appeared to be slightly more resistant than that dliel1 in the machinc and the fibl from the variety )Inguilldanao tended to be mOlC resistant than that from Bungtllanoll The variability was so grcat however that no reliance can be placed in the differences obshyselvell between areas of cross section

Tho data obtained Oil the sarnplEs from Honduras (tables 6 and 7) showed the atnc trclI(l as thoHe from Panama lhere is It marked difflrcnce bdwccn the firHt and second sections the Hlst being more lesilta nl to abrasion both alOll thl Iib 1 HS twist and acloss the fibet SZ twist (XClpt sllll-dried Magtlindanao) Other comparisons urc considcred of doubtful significance

1hl~ sample collected ill Gtlatelllala (tables 8 and 9) responded to physical testing more 01 less the same as those from Honduras Thele Ilppeared to be It signilicant difference between section 1 and edion 2 both in Ilsistanee to abmsion along the fiber SS twist aml across the fibel~ SZ twist Other (ompalisons were again doubtful

In geneml thl f1tx life of a tib(1 may be expected to inclease as the libel becomes softer and liner It may be inverse to the strength that is in(rease as the fiber strength de(reases The samples ftom Panama showed n tendell(y for the flex life to be greatest in the samples bull with the gratest fiber str~ngth (table 10) In general the base section 1 ga ye the greatest flex life as weU as tensile tL(lIgth but the variety Bllnguanon showed tIll greatest flex life in the 1l11ddle secshytion 2 Ill( emil fibels fom the outer sheaths showd a tendency fOt great-C flex life than the white line fibers from the imlCl sheaths Theun-(ltmiddotied fiber was slightly better than the machine-dded but the diflllell(es may not be significant

In gClPral the flex life of the libelS from Honduras (table 11) and frolll Guatcnala (table 12) followed the Same trends The flex life decleased IlP the plant bill them were no olltstanding dillerenccs beshytween locations ill cross section varieties and methods of drying

bull

bull bull bull TBLJ~ 5-~ Abrasfo1t1eltistallCe in number oj faolutiolls to failure with tlte SZ twist for different positions in the plant

lif (llll-frird and m(lchine-driedfiber oj 2 l(lJielirs oj abaca (frown in tlte Clwnglpoundinoia lalley Panama -~-I----~--

Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtVariety filid pOijtion oJ fiber I I i I I 1------------t--I I i

U2in plant ~Onitr Int~r- ~nl1(r I All I Outlr i Illt~r- InnCr All Outer Int~r- I Inner I All Csheath nsllcrllltljt~ sneaths sheaths shcathsIllIC(htljtCsmiddot sheaths shcatlL) sheathsIlljedlllthtc sheaths sheathsrlea IS I j s lea Ii rICIl 1 - I ~

MaguindallllO o------ ---1------1---1--_-_-------- ---ii o

l

ScctlOlI L bull __ _ _______--- 862 861 741 I 821 I 936 I 9461 8)4 912 8991 904 798 867 l tl~~~ll~ ~~==~_~==~==========I_~~~__ ~~J~~l~J 2 t~ L--~-L-~~----~~~- ~~~ ___~~~____~~-~-I 1 ~~~ 1----1--- I ---1--- a

qAverage _________________ I ~54 620 1 2 l1~J 1172 J 104 I 718 730 720 778 669 I 1824 I 946 gttBlllIglltalloll I -------j 1 ii 8

Section I bullbull _____________ bull ___I I (136 423 625 1 895 I 706 j I230 I 1 302 I 1079 I 171 826 964 987 - Stction2 ___ ___________ 70 306 i---- J 08 409 L_ ____ I______ 409 560 306 __ ~____ 433 S(ction3_____________________ ______________ 558 _ 1 _ -_+_ _ 200 __ ____ _ ____ ____ 379 ~

1 gtAY(rll~(_ ----------- ___ _1-rnmiddot-3fiq~=~-r-_6i)4 -1- 558]~~r-=-~~middot~~5ii3~- 866 566-------1 600 to gtoBoth varieties I gt

SctionL __________________ 1249 642 683 858 82111088 1078 996 1035 865 881 927 =fScction 2___________________ 978 342 5096 2139 240 489 606 445 609 370 2851 1277 toSection 3___________________ - _____ ----_ ______ _ 506 ------- ------- ------- 530 ------ -------1-- ----I 518 tl

I I

~~middotIle~~g~~~~~~~~~~~~ _~~~~~____~~__ ~~~~~_ ___ ~~~~ ---~~~-L-~- ---~-I---~~~J~~~~~- I =

Col)

bull bull

j-DLB 6-Abmsion resistance in number oj revolutions to jailure with the SS twist jor d~fferent positions middotin the plant oj ~

sun-dlied and machine-dried fiber oj 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Honduras ~

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ --- r-----j sect

8 8 t 3 Variety and position of ~

~ l JJ

a cgt ~ l ~ ced rn l g g ~ Il I ~I ~~ ] bj

cgt-ltgt 0 cgt-ltgt 0 C)~ 0 dfiber in plant ~ 00 2 -= Ul 0- Q)c 00 cgt

fii Scgt fii ii ~ a g Ul ~ s 1e g _ g ~ ~

~ -cgt sect 5r cgt fii - ii - ~ ~ 8 tI -w 8 E oo ~ E 8 800 tI ~ lt5 o l 6 t-I lt tI ] lt shy

--------------1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1--_1---1---1---1--- ~ ltgtl-Iaguindanllo 0

Secton 1 _________ ~ __ 1 8821 2 3231 1 aS51 736118241 804117251189011547114921 84311 98211 5S~1 j 14211 315 ~o SectlOll 2____________ ______ 282 1405 ____ _ 844 ______ 506 671 893 689 __ ~___ 465 10381 893 799

---_I___I____I___I___I____I____I____I________I___ --1---shy~ ~_I----I_--I-- ~ Average ___________ I______1 13021 1 3801-~----1 13341------1 11161 12801 12201 1090i ______1 12241 12gt61 ]0]81 1087

rl Bungulanoll t1

tlSection Lmiddot___________I 3 5621------1 1 36711 77612 2351 87511492111181149531460911762114921121715 1891 2415 ~Section 2____________ ______ 944 1886 761 1197 ______ 305 936 328 523 ______ 936 1411 544 964 3 Average ___________ I______I______ 1 16261 12681 1716_____ _ 8981 10271 76401 25661 ______1 12141 13141 2866j 1689 o

Ij

Both varieties gtshyoBeO L __________I 2222 2 323 36 12561 1790 840 1608 I 504 ~ 250 ~ 050 13021737 I 375 ~16611 895 ISectIOn 2___________ ______ 613 1646 761 1007 ______ 4Q6 804 610 607 ______ 700 1224 718 881 C

Average___________ == 1468 1504 100811398== 1007 1154 4430 1828 == 12181300 191211388 g 8 q

Over-all average___ ------ _____ -1- ___________1-1 83______ ------1------ ------ 1 8281==1------1------1------]1 388 I ~

bull

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

bull bull bull TBLJ~ 5-~ Abrasfo1t1eltistallCe in number oj faolutiolls to failure with tlte SZ twist for different positions in the plant

lif (llll-frird and m(lchine-driedfiber oj 2 l(lJielirs oj abaca (frown in tlte Clwnglpoundinoia lalley Panama -~-I----~--

Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtVariety filid pOijtion oJ fiber I I i I I 1------------t--I I i

U2in plant ~Onitr Int~r- ~nl1(r I All I Outlr i Illt~r- InnCr All Outer Int~r- I Inner I All Csheath nsllcrllltljt~ sneaths sheaths shcathsIllIC(htljtCsmiddot sheaths shcatlL) sheathsIlljedlllthtc sheaths sheathsrlea IS I j s lea Ii rICIl 1 - I ~

MaguindallllO o------ ---1------1---1--_-_-------- ---ii o

l

ScctlOlI L bull __ _ _______--- 862 861 741 I 821 I 936 I 9461 8)4 912 8991 904 798 867 l tl~~~ll~ ~~==~_~==~==========I_~~~__ ~~J~~l~J 2 t~ L--~-L-~~----~~~- ~~~ ___~~~____~~-~-I 1 ~~~ 1----1--- I ---1--- a

qAverage _________________ I ~54 620 1 2 l1~J 1172 J 104 I 718 730 720 778 669 I 1824 I 946 gttBlllIglltalloll I -------j 1 ii 8

Section I bullbull _____________ bull ___I I (136 423 625 1 895 I 706 j I230 I 1 302 I 1079 I 171 826 964 987 - Stction2 ___ ___________ 70 306 i---- J 08 409 L_ ____ I______ 409 560 306 __ ~____ 433 S(ction3_____________________ ______________ 558 _ 1 _ -_+_ _ 200 __ ____ _ ____ ____ 379 ~

1 gtAY(rll~(_ ----------- ___ _1-rnmiddot-3fiq~=~-r-_6i)4 -1- 558]~~r-=-~~middot~~5ii3~- 866 566-------1 600 to gtoBoth varieties I gt

SctionL __________________ 1249 642 683 858 82111088 1078 996 1035 865 881 927 =fScction 2___________________ 978 342 5096 2139 240 489 606 445 609 370 2851 1277 toSection 3___________________ - _____ ----_ ______ _ 506 ------- ------- ------- 530 ------ -------1-- ----I 518 tl

I I

~~middotIle~~g~~~~~~~~~~~~ _~~~~~____~~__ ~~~~~_ ___ ~~~~ ---~~~-L-~- ---~-I---~~~J~~~~~- I =

Col)

bull bull

j-DLB 6-Abmsion resistance in number oj revolutions to jailure with the SS twist jor d~fferent positions middotin the plant oj ~

sun-dlied and machine-dried fiber oj 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Honduras ~

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ --- r-----j sect

8 8 t 3 Variety and position of ~

~ l JJ

a cgt ~ l ~ ced rn l g g ~ Il I ~I ~~ ] bj

cgt-ltgt 0 cgt-ltgt 0 C)~ 0 dfiber in plant ~ 00 2 -= Ul 0- Q)c 00 cgt

fii Scgt fii ii ~ a g Ul ~ s 1e g _ g ~ ~

~ -cgt sect 5r cgt fii - ii - ~ ~ 8 tI -w 8 E oo ~ E 8 800 tI ~ lt5 o l 6 t-I lt tI ] lt shy

--------------1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1--_1---1---1---1--- ~ ltgtl-Iaguindanllo 0

Secton 1 _________ ~ __ 1 8821 2 3231 1 aS51 736118241 804117251189011547114921 84311 98211 5S~1 j 14211 315 ~o SectlOll 2____________ ______ 282 1405 ____ _ 844 ______ 506 671 893 689 __ ~___ 465 10381 893 799

---_I___I____I___I___I____I____I____I________I___ --1---shy~ ~_I----I_--I-- ~ Average ___________ I______1 13021 1 3801-~----1 13341------1 11161 12801 12201 1090i ______1 12241 12gt61 ]0]81 1087

rl Bungulanoll t1

tlSection Lmiddot___________I 3 5621------1 1 36711 77612 2351 87511492111181149531460911762114921121715 1891 2415 ~Section 2____________ ______ 944 1886 761 1197 ______ 305 936 328 523 ______ 936 1411 544 964 3 Average ___________ I______I______ 1 16261 12681 1716_____ _ 8981 10271 76401 25661 ______1 12141 13141 2866j 1689 o

Ij

Both varieties gtshyoBeO L __________I 2222 2 323 36 12561 1790 840 1608 I 504 ~ 250 ~ 050 13021737 I 375 ~16611 895 ISectIOn 2___________ ______ 613 1646 761 1007 ______ 4Q6 804 610 607 ______ 700 1224 718 881 C

Average___________ == 1468 1504 100811398== 1007 1154 4430 1828 == 12181300 191211388 g 8 q

Over-all average___ ------ _____ -1- ___________1-1 83______ ------1------ ------ 1 8281==1------1------1------]1 388 I ~

bull

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

bull bull

j-DLB 6-Abmsion resistance in number oj revolutions to jailure with the SS twist jor d~fferent positions middotin the plant oj ~

sun-dlied and machine-dried fiber oj 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Honduras ~

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ --- r-----j sect

8 8 t 3 Variety and position of ~

~ l JJ

a cgt ~ l ~ ced rn l g g ~ Il I ~I ~~ ] bj

cgt-ltgt 0 cgt-ltgt 0 C)~ 0 dfiber in plant ~ 00 2 -= Ul 0- Q)c 00 cgt

fii Scgt fii ii ~ a g Ul ~ s 1e g _ g ~ ~

~ -cgt sect 5r cgt fii - ii - ~ ~ 8 tI -w 8 E oo ~ E 8 800 tI ~ lt5 o l 6 t-I lt tI ] lt shy

--------------1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1---1--_1---1---1---1--- ~ ltgtl-Iaguindanllo 0

Secton 1 _________ ~ __ 1 8821 2 3231 1 aS51 736118241 804117251189011547114921 84311 98211 5S~1 j 14211 315 ~o SectlOll 2____________ ______ 282 1405 ____ _ 844 ______ 506 671 893 689 __ ~___ 465 10381 893 799

---_I___I____I___I___I____I____I____I________I___ --1---shy~ ~_I----I_--I-- ~ Average ___________ I______1 13021 1 3801-~----1 13341------1 11161 12801 12201 1090i ______1 12241 12gt61 ]0]81 1087

rl Bungulanoll t1

tlSection Lmiddot___________I 3 5621------1 1 36711 77612 2351 87511492111181149531460911762114921121715 1891 2415 ~Section 2____________ ______ 944 1886 761 1197 ______ 305 936 328 523 ______ 936 1411 544 964 3 Average ___________ I______I______ 1 16261 12681 1716_____ _ 8981 10271 76401 25661 ______1 12141 13141 2866j 1689 o

Ij

Both varieties gtshyoBeO L __________I 2222 2 323 36 12561 1790 840 1608 I 504 ~ 250 ~ 050 13021737 I 375 ~16611 895 ISectIOn 2___________ ______ 613 1646 761 1007 ______ 4Q6 804 610 607 ______ 700 1224 718 881 C

Average___________ == 1468 1504 100811398== 1007 1154 4430 1828 == 12181300 191211388 g 8 q

Over-all average___ ------ _____ -1- ___________1-1 83______ ------1------ ------ 1 8281==1------1------1------]1 388 I ~

bull

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

bull bull bull

-----

TABTE 7-Abmsion resistamce in mtmber of revolutions to failure witk the SZ twist for dijfereflt positions in the plaia of sun-dlied and mackine-dried fiber of 2 varieties oj abaca grown in Himduras

t Sun dried Machine dried Average

gtIltn ltn ltn rIl0 rl ~ l pound sVariety and position of gt gt rIl g ~ ~ s oS s gt rIl

gt-3 oSd = = ~ C)

oS cfber in plant 0 0 ~ 0 ampi 5 a~ ~]5 1l o~ J o~ ~ oS Sl~ _0

rIl ~ ampi rIl $l rIl rIl rIl ~OS ctl ctl 0_0 Co -= ~ ~ to ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 0

$ctl = 18 ~ 8 = $oo(UJ I ~ ] s pound00 C

~6 l ~ lt 0 lt 6 l -= ~ ~ lt 1-3

~ Maguindanao

Section L __________ 0676 5171 8865 1 732 4 HI 8708693 6545 12945 9 763 773 11988 6458 7338 6639Section 2 ____________ _____ ) 323279 4 843 2 561 2566 2296 1728 301 3 704 ~ 296 2 100 ~ t--------------------------------------------- Average___________ _ - 2 725 6854 ------ 3336 -- 9 508 4 556 7620 5746 ------ 6 144 5081 4 817 4369 gt-3 gtlt---

~

------------------------------------ --shynunulanon 0 ection L ___________ 12 978 12235 4 782 6665 4942 2842 30277 12 167 12557 4353 2842 20852 6 157 8551Section 2 ____________ 1824 6079 12791 6898 342 2 222 1718 1427 1724 4 150 7254 4376 gt --------- til

Average__________ gt 0- ------ 9 157 8786 6 782 - --- 1592 16 249 6942 6 9921~----- 2 283 12 501 6 706 6464 C

gt Both varieties

Section L ___________ 1827 5171 10550 3257 5201 2906 10 768 18411 12556 11 160 2563 7415 13655 6 748 7595 Igtj

Section 2 ____________ til1052 4961 12791 6268 332 2394 2007 1578 1012 3927 4 775 3238 tJ --------------------------------------------- ~ Average___________ - - - - - 3 112 7756 8024 57340_-___ 555010402 7 630l----- 4214 8791 5762 5416

Over-all average ___ ------1------1------ __ n __ 5 2841------ __ h __ j__ h __ I______ 6369 u_u_ ---=-------- 5416

Ot

bull bull

------

lADl)ltJ 8-Abrllsion resistance in n11mher of levolutwns to failure with tluI SS twist for different positions in tluI IJlant of

~

sunmiddotdried and machine-dried fiber of 2 varieties of abaca grown in Guatemala 1-3 lI---- - 0 )

Sun dried Machine dried Average ~ 0

J gtw rL en - egt rL~ fa egt ~ l l ~ =

Vari(middotty nnd I)oltition of I~w I rL

rn pound ol 03 ol ol ol rL ol ce ce - til ol ol ~

fiber ill I -o= I ~ = ~ ~- ~ ~ -0= ~ = c)lnnt egt I egt ~ egt- i 0-gt 0ol tin n -~ 00 ~ol 00 00 ce 00 00 00 ol

~ E ~ 0 0 ) - 0 lt)- =~ f 0 ~ l 0 - -0 -

0 - -0 lI0- rn 0- egt -0 00 0- 00 - In g sect ~

pound rL ~ - ~Ul g ~ 1-3 6 0 6 Z --------------- ------ --- --- -- _----- -- shy--~ co

i[alli IIdnnno co co

Scction 1 ---- - - 717 ]33] 812 1 736 ] ]49 ] 130 ]268 ]049 1206 1 163 924 1300 930 1471 1156 Section 2 __ -- - ---_ H58 597 344 533 410 425 999 534 511 672 572 ~~I=-==

YClllgc --_ - 994 704 1040 841 839 737 1 102 887 - 917 720 ]072 861 P-~ --- ---_ --- ---=-= ~ ]IIIl-(lIlnl1on lI

S(ction 1 ---- - - 2903 H83 2208 1044 1709 999 91H 8]8 1028 940 18HO 800 ] H4 l~2]6 1392 tI

Section 2 _--_ _--- - - ~ - 384 331 205 307 ----- 552 327 514 4H4 --- 534 360 3HO 418

--------------------------------------------- 0 AYllIlgc -- 534 1269 H24 ]008 - - 734 572 771 702 - 667 1027 788 905 gtj----------

--------- ---~

------------ shy gtBoth Ynrietips C)

Sectioll I ___ bull ____ _ 1810 1007 1510 1390 ]429 ]064 ]092 934 ]117 105] 1392 1050 ]312 1344 1274 tl ________ bull ____ _ 521 464 274

Scciioll 2_ 420_____ 481 376 757 538 ____ 534 436_ 5]6 495 0------------ t __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ 764 987 832 1Ycrnle 0-3---m==j 655----m--------------- --------- c tl

welllgc____ ===r=---~ ----- 9241-----1======= ~_ ___ 92 ___~ __ 9~~1 ~-~ - shyOycr-nll j

bull

bull bull bull lAnLI~ 0- Abrasion r(sfSlIl1(ein I1lmblr ojrllotlltiolls to failmiddoture with flu 81 tiwi8t for d~fferellt lJOsiliQns in the plant of

e 81ln-dried ((lid -nUchile-dliedjibll of 2 tllli(tils (if abaca grown in Guatemaia t gt Sun dried Machine dried Average

ltgt ----- ~

In Cj tr lf1 til Cj lf1 00 til j C) E E uril und po~i1 ion of 5 d sect S ~ 5 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 00 ~ - til-2 fiber ill planL 2 ~1 lt) lt) - g ~l Cj ~ ~ ~ 0= ~ sa -5 ~ ~ ~ ~ C ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ en 5

~ I ~ 1= ~ I = ~ C)Cj =3 oii ~ i if 3 Cioo E w ~ Co Tn ~ E ll ~ = ~ f~ = ~ rtil ~ E ~ = gt3 o ~__ ~_I _H ~~ 0 H _~ _--=- _lt~~ _ _ _lt ~ l11I~nill(hlluo o

fP(UOIlI _____ 1i74(i 1087 148812454 5148 (i 232j 542840 3010 3259 5104 1020 2164 7732 4005 SStllion2 ~=--~~2~=(2i_~~2(j ~~ __~ HOl__ 3)7 17l2 1)32 ===~~ 1401) ] ]26

~ I~h~- -_ _ 878~8~~Fc_7~O 3 ~~ 1=80L~jBr2 I=2 1)lt 8211 I 747 4 570 2 50 ~

~ HllliOIl L __________ 5752 1131 ]1l8(I 81214322 223111 1i)4 ]88412088 422H 2026 ]01121700112)11 4011 S(cUo1l2_ _________ _ ltIn 4213810 15Ul _ bullbull 012 57]108734152 ___ bull __ 4li61- 49873422769 gt

AwrHgI_____________~_~ __ =~52--1~~~15 ~I(if~ nl(~ ___[ 8531 ]22811 180 4 18) ____ 764 1099 92l9 3390 f2 Bolh vnriILh -- - I-------l-----------1-------------------~---------

~

~((t()n 1 __________ 1i2middot1) 125)i I 737~1O 288 4883 4236 824 2362 7541l 374335155 ]04] ] l32 9414 4008 63 S(ctlOn 2 ____________ _ 572 181312418 1middot144 __ 80n 484 6332 254L-___ - 552 914 4376 ]l47 ll

=c Awrn~e-_--------~I--JHt154oU85313 ](ij ==1- 8161 1428 6 l401 3 ]42 ___ __ 716 1423 6 l35 2978

__(h_tr~-n nllg(=-I~I~F~I==--rti64I~I~I~-r=~=r3=2==r==297s ~

bull bull bull

JAnhl~ 1Omiddot-Fl(~ IffI lin ml1nb(r oj r(10111ti01l~ fo joil11r( jor dfiferfllt positions il1 the lJlant oj sun-drwd and machine-dried

00

jiba oj 2 vari(gtties oj abllC(L liOllJlt in fhe C1wmfluhwla raUey Panama IIj ~--~~~------------------------------------

SUll dried Mllchine dried Average ~ Vllri~ly nnd JlOiion of fiher

~

t=ill JlIllllL Outlr T~I~r- Tnner I All Outer IIJI~ht IInner All Outer ITl~til1 Tnner I All shellths~~~~rlll~ shellthsi Ilhellths shelllhsj sl~ellth~ siJellths shealhll 1lIl~athsll~ll~eafh sheaths sheaths =c

t --- 1----1---middot ---I----+---I----~1 I--I----I~-I-------- ---- fi

1-3 lf1l(lIi lIdlllIlO a (HtIUon 1___ _e ___ _ __ __ 1441 843 640 975 1351 1069 686 1035 ]396 95(j (i(j3 1 005

Htclioll 2 ___ bull __ __ bull__ 1018 7iiH 782 851 317 (jIll 914 631 - 668 707 848 741 lt0 Ht~dioll i ____ bull___________ _ 847 847 lt0

~~ - --- ~Q-- - ---- -shyAcrllge __ bullbullbull _~ _____ bull ____ 1 1229 7l8 711 913 834 865 SOO 838 1032 832 75(j 864 ~ =-~=I===I 1==1 -1 --=1 Imiddot BIIII(1I11l1l01l lHectioll 1__ __ __________ _ 9UI 1210 872 1024 2 107 798 1 iiS2 I Hi2 1549 ] 004 727 1093

HIltioll 2___ __________ bull 3071 477 l477 1774 lili8 (iU8 1870 I 174 IIjHncliOIl 3__________________ _ 935 542 738 --1-- 1---1---1-----1---- ~

Aerllgc___ --~-------- bull I 2031 844 1244 I a88 791 1710 740 727 1002 ===1- ~

Hoi h llri(1 ii)S 11 211iHlctioll 1 ___ ________________ 2 014 gt1026 1 756 999 1729 9341 634 clReelioll 2____ _______________ 10991472 98Q 695 1049615 782 1147 492 661 914 =Heel iOlla____ bull _____________ _

~935 ~~ -~~~~- ---~~- --~~- ~~ c tAerllge__ middotmiddot ______________II 630 I ~I 769 1 1027 I I 110 ~774 1~ll 370 ~ 772 915 1-3 cl

OW-llllIlVerllge__ n _____ ____ u_ ~==I------- 1061 1____ _ -------I=----I==sI)L----- ~I------- 927 = u IIj

bull bull bull

__ _

r])II~ 11-middotFlu life 111 1111mblr oj r(zolutions to jail1Ire jor cJijJ(f11t lJositions ill fheplant oj 8unmiddot-dried and machineshycJjieclfiber of f3 rarieti(s oj (ba~a yrmlJn in lo11duras

bull_---_ Sun dried Machine dried Average

gt ~ ] ] ] o J rtl ~ ~ s ~Vuripty und position of ~ ~ ~ 0 0 ~ 0 _ In 0 0 II 0 - tn 0 0 aslib(middotr in plant 0 --oc o S5 ~- ~ ] ~ 1 -5 i~ C ~ 0- 0 ltI 0 ~ rr 7gt I 3 7gt S- ~ 7gt l =~ i ~ ~ E~ ~ ~

0 -0 7gt g 7gt t ~shy- cgt g

III~3 -

0gi ~ - CJ7ii I 0 -tIl 1

~ sect ~6 L1 lt 6 ~ - - lt 6 5 j

~t -~I-_~-I_ IIjI

~lllg1Jillelallao Slction 1___________ 832 981 8344 0031 455 3330 133712571 ]03812069 2081 I HiiOI2 51middot1 21)20 2069 I)

B(ctiull 2 ___________ bull 1024 1024 _ _ 598 505 )23 542 __ ~__ 598 764 523 628 ~ --- -----1-1---- __- -~-------------- tAycrage____________ bull __ H20 ______ ] 20 bull H6S I 5~8 7S1l 1300 _ ___ 879 1639 1522 1348 0-31 -lt

BUllgullillon = = = --~-== -==- ---= 0H(ction L __________ ]838_ bull 127lij 1252 I i5 1029 1027 589 1030 2245 1285 1027 3769 1141 1806

Bection 2____________ 1032 1123 __ -- 1078 bull 563 526 881 657 _____ bull 1020 824 881 90S gt Acra~c----------- bull ~~-~-i~20~--- bull 12i~== 795 32o-~middot95Ii 1451 ______ 102422971011 1357 Cl

= gt

~Both vnridics 1 ojI gt

Section 1__________ 133n 98 1055) 2 (i2S I 500 2 nm 1182 232 1034 2157 1683 1094 3142 1830 1937 Scction 2____________ =2~L~~~741~t~t_~-- 5~ __~02 599 ==~9~ 7Q2 -l6S a = IIj1

Averagc___________ _1 I oosll 0041_____ I 2761---- __1~ 2 3741~ 1378______ 952 1968 1266 1352

Ovcr-nliliverugc_ --- ==F==-r==r==ll 261l==I==I====11 378j== --_---==== 1352

shyCO

bull bull bull

~ lAJIIg j 2 FIr) life in lwmb(1 (if r~ol1Iti071R to failure jor rlijfrrent lJositiQn8 in the plant oj sun-dried and machineshy

driedjiber oj 2 varieties oj aba(a urown in GlULiemala _v ___~__~--____~__________ to

Sun dried lluchille dried Average ~ sect

if] ~-l---I- rn ~ 1 rn - a tIQ

Vurilt y 1I11d poi ion of 3 -5)5 -5 d 15 -5 z d 5 =3c to c -- 00 d ~ $ =e ~- VI as CIS tilIihlr ill plant Col - cr ~ 0 gt - Cogt ooc cgt Co) t - o~ f ~ c cgt~ S c w n J tl ~ I Ul Il g rn SUI rn ~ t ~ ~ a t] r ~ -is a amp~ 50 g 1 ttl _ _ rn _ _ J _ 11 _ _ I c en - rn - CJ J ~ 1- til ~ til Q - I _ ____I~~ _~ ~ lt _ o_~ -~ Li lt 0 ~ ~ i I~ Z

II

llugllinrillnllO

I

H~etioll 1 bullbull ___ 1090 832 298 678 724 1IS6 525 787 617 779 1138 678 542 648 752 ~ Sectiuli 2 bull __ bull _____ I 438 438 _ bull _ _bull ____ ____ __ bull ____ bull __ bull ____ _ __ bull __ _-~

~ ---~-------I----l-----

AnlIwmiddotmiddotmiddot-------- 1 j35 - 581_ 7791_ bull _ 752 J ~=----~=-~~~--==I=~=~ ==-=I = J3111l-(IIIUIl(lIl ti

Hletioll I _ __ bullbullbull 7841 fl23 470 932 702 772 981 588 828 738 778 802 509 869 740 ~

Sprtioll2 __ bull _____ bull 1 I 3Hi 425 590 444 __ bull __ 278jl035 268 527 ___ 310 730 429 490 ~ o

A(rlVc __ _ ____ _ 469 448I--rol--57t-~--=- 6201---si2 548~~ 55(i ~ 649 (j)5 OJ

~Bot h Vllli(t iIS I I IHpc(ionl _______ 087 728 384 805 714 979 753 688 722 786 958 740 526 758 74(i c Section 2 _______ 377 425 590 464 ___ 278 1035 2(iS 527 ____ 3]0 730 429 490 c p

Ayerngp ____ bullbull __ _ ---1 552~ (i9S 589 -----1 516j--s62j 495 (i5(j~ 525j--a28-w4 618 ~ c QYCI-allllWrnVo___ bull =---j= middotjmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot---lmiddot

1

581 1------1-----1------1 - -1 (j891----~1middotmiddot--middot-middot1----middot- ----- 662 ~ __________~_~_L___ j i I c

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF IHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 21

Vhen compuring samples from the different heights in the plant from nil varieties locatIOns of growth areas in cross section and methods of drying thefibet IHOperties studied-fiber strength (3shyinch and Ih-inch span between testing jaws) lesistance to abrasion with the SS and the SZ twists Ilnd flex life-all decr~nsed from the base to the top of the plant (table 13) Data are shown for three sections of sheaths fromPllnama and for two sections of those from IIondullls and Guatemala 1he more detailed data reported in otlwr tables indicated that the maximum strength occurred neal the tOll of the first (i-foot section in the fiber flom Panama where there were t 1ree sections The top section at llanilma however was much weaker than the other two and showed lower Iesistance to ablllsion and lL

shoder flex life In the short plants from Honduras and Guatemala the maximum stlength was reached within ~ or 3 feet of the base Only one section of the plant waS studied at Costa Rica

These results indicate that the fiber from the midlegion and upper cnd of the Jower section of talt plants with l(i to 20 feet of usable stalk is bette I than that from the butt and particulal1y that froll1 the top section whereas the best fiber ill short plants is neal the base Two out of thtee se(tions pLoduce high-grade fibel in tull plants whereas only one 01 eyen less may produ(e high-grade fiber in short stunted plants

Statisli(aJ alia lysis of thse data showed a difference ill fibel stn~nglh with location of growth the samples from Honduras however were testNI IllOlllptl after halvesting wheleas those from Panama wele tlstNI about a )I-al later The fiber ill known to lose some sbength with age in storuge helefore comparison of location may 110t be valid ill these hosts

Ill( dab in sUllImaly tablel inc1iea( that the variety Bungulalloll is stlp(lliol in fibel stlpngth to that or Mauindanao but thnt the two vUlittif-s at IIY silllilll ill resistance to abrasion and flex life The data in Sllllman table 15 i1ltlieate that thel( were no (ollsistlt-nt difflIshy(nelS that (-ouhllw attlibukd to lI1thod of (bying The dehliled data Itow(( show(-d somewhlt gleater valiability in the fiber dried in the maehine (hicr

DISCCSSIOX

Sla(isti(al anillysis of thl data 011 fHwl stlt~ngths illdi(ates that of till two alidi(s of ahaca glown (ol11l1let(ially ill CentlHl A 111(1shy

iea til( libel t101l1 Bunglllallo11 is st Ionl than that frolll ~Iaguinshy(Ianao (tabl( Hi) TIlt lattll nlli(ty lIsIltllly produ(cs a finll fibel but tl1(le wah little if all diflleme ill poundibN from the two varieties ill resistance to abrasion ~lnd flex life

bull bull

tIjTAJIII JJ-PllysitallJJopeJ1 ies 1 oj Jiber Jor dUferell1 l)osii1olls in abaca lJ[mtts lrown in (lugtemala llonduras OO$a tIjRi(a and PQlUUlla

----- shy ~------------------- l

location

Guutf1l1l111l J(ondurtls (nlll Bien PIlI1II1IU ~c==

Locution

OUlltclllllln _ HOlHilifllS __ (1J~tll Hiell ___

ltlll111JIIl_ --_~

tSjSection 1 Section 2 c

~ Fibcr trCllglh A brusitm resist Fibr strength Abru~ion rcsitshy C (J 000 pounds ance (revolutions (1000 pOUlids auee (revolutions

Flex life Flex life tp~r square inch) to failure) per sfjuarr inch) to failure)(nvolushy (rcolushyt ion to 11-----middot---------------- tions to ttl

fuilII re) failure)Heot 311Scot l I~ ss twist ISZ twist Scott 3 IScoU ~ ISS twillt1 Sz Iwist

gJ inch ~ ineh ~ inch ~ mch - ~

I Z88 8 824 1274 4008 746 667 646 495 1947 490

cp9middot17 859 1895 7595 1937 72 2 777 881 328 768 cp67 II 591 777 3001i 1051 ~ 7ltJ 8 68 6 1316 927 1049 -- 66-4T--62i T---625T-]277T----ooa

~

Section 3 Average ~

= tSj

Jiblr 8t nl1glh Abrtlsion reltit- ]iber strength Abrasion resistshy Flex life CI

(l 000 pOl~nds ance (re~oluUons Flex life (1000 pounds ance (revolutions (reolushy ~ per sCJuare llleh) to fatlure (revolu- per square inch) to failure) tiOIl to

failure) ~ bull Hons to I

t t 31 Smiddot tmiddot 1 failure) S tmiddot Is tt 1( -~ co co ~ SS twit SZ twist bull co 00 ~o ~ SS twist SZ twistwelt 1lclt s IIlch IIlch bull =

c bull I lt1

777 735 884 2978 618 t ~83 4 81 8 ]388 54]6 1352

676 591 777 3006 l051 ~ ~ =r--4Sq---534T---32iir---sisr---792- 63 2 61 4 756 907 915

lt1

=ll

bull J VIlIle~ tlsld nrc a(~ragcs for 111 shcaths dried by the dilfereni mcthods ~ Scott 3 inch and Scott j~ inch refer to the length of the breaking span

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull bull bull lAnLI~ 0- Abrasion r(sfSlIl1(ein I1lmblr ojrllotlltiolls to failmiddoture with flu 81 tiwi8t for d~fferellt lJOsiliQns in the plant of

e 81ln-dried ((lid -nUchile-dliedjibll of 2 tllli(tils (if abaca grown in Guatemaia t gt Sun dried Machine dried Average

ltgt ----- ~

In Cj tr lf1 til Cj lf1 00 til j C) E E uril und po~i1 ion of 5 d sect S ~ 5 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 00 ~ - til-2 fiber ill planL 2 ~1 lt) lt) - g ~l Cj ~ ~ ~ 0= ~ sa -5 ~ ~ ~ ~ C ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ en 5

~ I ~ 1= ~ I = ~ C)Cj =3 oii ~ i if 3 Cioo E w ~ Co Tn ~ E ll ~ = ~ f~ = ~ rtil ~ E ~ = gt3 o ~__ ~_I _H ~~ 0 H _~ _--=- _lt~~ _ _ _lt ~ l11I~nill(hlluo o

fP(UOIlI _____ 1i74(i 1087 148812454 5148 (i 232j 542840 3010 3259 5104 1020 2164 7732 4005 SStllion2 ~=--~~2~=(2i_~~2(j ~~ __~ HOl__ 3)7 17l2 1)32 ===~~ 1401) ] ]26

~ I~h~- -_ _ 878~8~~Fc_7~O 3 ~~ 1=80L~jBr2 I=2 1)lt 8211 I 747 4 570 2 50 ~

~ HllliOIl L __________ 5752 1131 ]1l8(I 81214322 223111 1i)4 ]88412088 422H 2026 ]01121700112)11 4011 S(cUo1l2_ _________ _ ltIn 4213810 15Ul _ bullbull 012 57]108734152 ___ bull __ 4li61- 49873422769 gt

AwrHgI_____________~_~ __ =~52--1~~~15 ~I(if~ nl(~ ___[ 8531 ]22811 180 4 18) ____ 764 1099 92l9 3390 f2 Bolh vnriILh -- - I-------l-----------1-------------------~---------

~

~((t()n 1 __________ 1i2middot1) 125)i I 737~1O 288 4883 4236 824 2362 7541l 374335155 ]04] ] l32 9414 4008 63 S(ctlOn 2 ____________ _ 572 181312418 1middot144 __ 80n 484 6332 254L-___ - 552 914 4376 ]l47 ll

=c Awrn~e-_--------~I--JHt154oU85313 ](ij ==1- 8161 1428 6 l401 3 ]42 ___ __ 716 1423 6 l35 2978

__(h_tr~-n nllg(=-I~I~F~I==--rti64I~I~I~-r=~=r3=2==r==297s ~

bull bull bull

JAnhl~ 1Omiddot-Fl(~ IffI lin ml1nb(r oj r(10111ti01l~ fo joil11r( jor dfiferfllt positions il1 the lJlant oj sun-drwd and machine-dried

00

jiba oj 2 vari(gtties oj abllC(L liOllJlt in fhe C1wmfluhwla raUey Panama IIj ~--~~~------------------------------------

SUll dried Mllchine dried Average ~ Vllri~ly nnd JlOiion of fiher

~

t=ill JlIllllL Outlr T~I~r- Tnner I All Outer IIJI~ht IInner All Outer ITl~til1 Tnner I All shellths~~~~rlll~ shellthsi Ilhellths shelllhsj sl~ellth~ siJellths shealhll 1lIl~athsll~ll~eafh sheaths sheaths =c

t --- 1----1---middot ---I----+---I----~1 I--I----I~-I-------- ---- fi

1-3 lf1l(lIi lIdlllIlO a (HtIUon 1___ _e ___ _ __ __ 1441 843 640 975 1351 1069 686 1035 ]396 95(j (i(j3 1 005

Htclioll 2 ___ bull __ __ bull__ 1018 7iiH 782 851 317 (jIll 914 631 - 668 707 848 741 lt0 Ht~dioll i ____ bull___________ _ 847 847 lt0

~~ - --- ~Q-- - ---- -shyAcrllge __ bullbullbull _~ _____ bull ____ 1 1229 7l8 711 913 834 865 SOO 838 1032 832 75(j 864 ~ =-~=I===I 1==1 -1 --=1 Imiddot BIIII(1I11l1l01l lHectioll 1__ __ __________ _ 9UI 1210 872 1024 2 107 798 1 iiS2 I Hi2 1549 ] 004 727 1093

HIltioll 2___ __________ bull 3071 477 l477 1774 lili8 (iU8 1870 I 174 IIjHncliOIl 3__________________ _ 935 542 738 --1-- 1---1---1-----1---- ~

Aerllgc___ --~-------- bull I 2031 844 1244 I a88 791 1710 740 727 1002 ===1- ~

Hoi h llri(1 ii)S 11 211iHlctioll 1 ___ ________________ 2 014 gt1026 1 756 999 1729 9341 634 clReelioll 2____ _______________ 10991472 98Q 695 1049615 782 1147 492 661 914 =Heel iOlla____ bull _____________ _

~935 ~~ -~~~~- ---~~- --~~- ~~ c tAerllge__ middotmiddot ______________II 630 I ~I 769 1 1027 I I 110 ~774 1~ll 370 ~ 772 915 1-3 cl

OW-llllIlVerllge__ n _____ ____ u_ ~==I------- 1061 1____ _ -------I=----I==sI)L----- ~I------- 927 = u IIj

bull bull bull

__ _

r])II~ 11-middotFlu life 111 1111mblr oj r(zolutions to jail1Ire jor cJijJ(f11t lJositions ill fheplant oj 8unmiddot-dried and machineshycJjieclfiber of f3 rarieti(s oj (ba~a yrmlJn in lo11duras

bull_---_ Sun dried Machine dried Average

gt ~ ] ] ] o J rtl ~ ~ s ~Vuripty und position of ~ ~ ~ 0 0 ~ 0 _ In 0 0 II 0 - tn 0 0 aslib(middotr in plant 0 --oc o S5 ~- ~ ] ~ 1 -5 i~ C ~ 0- 0 ltI 0 ~ rr 7gt I 3 7gt S- ~ 7gt l =~ i ~ ~ E~ ~ ~

0 -0 7gt g 7gt t ~shy- cgt g

III~3 -

0gi ~ - CJ7ii I 0 -tIl 1

~ sect ~6 L1 lt 6 ~ - - lt 6 5 j

~t -~I-_~-I_ IIjI

~lllg1Jillelallao Slction 1___________ 832 981 8344 0031 455 3330 133712571 ]03812069 2081 I HiiOI2 51middot1 21)20 2069 I)

B(ctiull 2 ___________ bull 1024 1024 _ _ 598 505 )23 542 __ ~__ 598 764 523 628 ~ --- -----1-1---- __- -~-------------- tAycrage____________ bull __ H20 ______ ] 20 bull H6S I 5~8 7S1l 1300 _ ___ 879 1639 1522 1348 0-31 -lt

BUllgullillon = = = --~-== -==- ---= 0H(ction L __________ ]838_ bull 127lij 1252 I i5 1029 1027 589 1030 2245 1285 1027 3769 1141 1806

Bection 2____________ 1032 1123 __ -- 1078 bull 563 526 881 657 _____ bull 1020 824 881 90S gt Acra~c----------- bull ~~-~-i~20~--- bull 12i~== 795 32o-~middot95Ii 1451 ______ 102422971011 1357 Cl

= gt

~Both vnridics 1 ojI gt

Section 1__________ 133n 98 1055) 2 (i2S I 500 2 nm 1182 232 1034 2157 1683 1094 3142 1830 1937 Scction 2____________ =2~L~~~741~t~t_~-- 5~ __~02 599 ==~9~ 7Q2 -l6S a = IIj1

Averagc___________ _1 I oosll 0041_____ I 2761---- __1~ 2 3741~ 1378______ 952 1968 1266 1352

Ovcr-nliliverugc_ --- ==F==-r==r==ll 261l==I==I====11 378j== --_---==== 1352

shyCO

bull bull bull

~ lAJIIg j 2 FIr) life in lwmb(1 (if r~ol1Iti071R to failure jor rlijfrrent lJositiQn8 in the plant oj sun-dried and machineshy

driedjiber oj 2 varieties oj aba(a urown in GlULiemala _v ___~__~--____~__________ to

Sun dried lluchille dried Average ~ sect

if] ~-l---I- rn ~ 1 rn - a tIQ

Vurilt y 1I11d poi ion of 3 -5)5 -5 d 15 -5 z d 5 =3c to c -- 00 d ~ $ =e ~- VI as CIS tilIihlr ill plant Col - cr ~ 0 gt - Cogt ooc cgt Co) t - o~ f ~ c cgt~ S c w n J tl ~ I Ul Il g rn SUI rn ~ t ~ ~ a t] r ~ -is a amp~ 50 g 1 ttl _ _ rn _ _ J _ 11 _ _ I c en - rn - CJ J ~ 1- til ~ til Q - I _ ____I~~ _~ ~ lt _ o_~ -~ Li lt 0 ~ ~ i I~ Z

II

llugllinrillnllO

I

H~etioll 1 bullbull ___ 1090 832 298 678 724 1IS6 525 787 617 779 1138 678 542 648 752 ~ Sectiuli 2 bull __ bull _____ I 438 438 _ bull _ _bull ____ ____ __ bull ____ bull __ bull ____ _ __ bull __ _-~

~ ---~-------I----l-----

AnlIwmiddotmiddotmiddot-------- 1 j35 - 581_ 7791_ bull _ 752 J ~=----~=-~~~--==I=~=~ ==-=I = J3111l-(IIIUIl(lIl ti

Hletioll I _ __ bullbullbull 7841 fl23 470 932 702 772 981 588 828 738 778 802 509 869 740 ~

Sprtioll2 __ bull _____ bull 1 I 3Hi 425 590 444 __ bull __ 278jl035 268 527 ___ 310 730 429 490 ~ o

A(rlVc __ _ ____ _ 469 448I--rol--57t-~--=- 6201---si2 548~~ 55(i ~ 649 (j)5 OJ

~Bot h Vllli(t iIS I I IHpc(ionl _______ 087 728 384 805 714 979 753 688 722 786 958 740 526 758 74(i c Section 2 _______ 377 425 590 464 ___ 278 1035 2(iS 527 ____ 3]0 730 429 490 c p

Ayerngp ____ bullbull __ _ ---1 552~ (i9S 589 -----1 516j--s62j 495 (i5(j~ 525j--a28-w4 618 ~ c QYCI-allllWrnVo___ bull =---j= middotjmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot---lmiddot

1

581 1------1-----1------1 - -1 (j891----~1middotmiddot--middot-middot1----middot- ----- 662 ~ __________~_~_L___ j i I c

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF IHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 21

Vhen compuring samples from the different heights in the plant from nil varieties locatIOns of growth areas in cross section and methods of drying thefibet IHOperties studied-fiber strength (3shyinch and Ih-inch span between testing jaws) lesistance to abrasion with the SS and the SZ twists Ilnd flex life-all decr~nsed from the base to the top of the plant (table 13) Data are shown for three sections of sheaths fromPllnama and for two sections of those from IIondullls and Guatemala 1he more detailed data reported in otlwr tables indicated that the maximum strength occurred neal the tOll of the first (i-foot section in the fiber flom Panama where there were t 1ree sections The top section at llanilma however was much weaker than the other two and showed lower Iesistance to ablllsion and lL

shoder flex life In the short plants from Honduras and Guatemala the maximum stlength was reached within ~ or 3 feet of the base Only one section of the plant waS studied at Costa Rica

These results indicate that the fiber from the midlegion and upper cnd of the Jower section of talt plants with l(i to 20 feet of usable stalk is bette I than that from the butt and particulal1y that froll1 the top section whereas the best fiber ill short plants is neal the base Two out of thtee se(tions pLoduce high-grade fibel in tull plants whereas only one 01 eyen less may produ(e high-grade fiber in short stunted plants

Statisli(aJ alia lysis of thse data showed a difference ill fibel stn~nglh with location of growth the samples from Honduras however were testNI IllOlllptl after halvesting wheleas those from Panama wele tlstNI about a )I-al later The fiber ill known to lose some sbength with age in storuge helefore comparison of location may 110t be valid ill these hosts

Ill( dab in sUllImaly tablel inc1iea( that the variety Bungulalloll is stlp(lliol in fibel stlpngth to that or Mauindanao but thnt the two vUlittif-s at IIY silllilll ill resistance to abrasion and flex life The data in Sllllman table 15 i1ltlieate that thel( were no (ollsistlt-nt difflIshy(nelS that (-ouhllw attlibukd to lI1thod of (bying The dehliled data Itow(( show(-d somewhlt gleater valiability in the fiber dried in the maehine (hicr

DISCCSSIOX

Sla(isti(al anillysis of thl data 011 fHwl stlt~ngths illdi(ates that of till two alidi(s of ahaca glown (ol11l1let(ially ill CentlHl A 111(1shy

iea til( libel t101l1 Bunglllallo11 is st Ionl than that frolll ~Iaguinshy(Ianao (tabl( Hi) TIlt lattll nlli(ty lIsIltllly produ(cs a finll fibel but tl1(le wah little if all diflleme ill poundibN from the two varieties ill resistance to abrasion ~lnd flex life

bull bull

tIjTAJIII JJ-PllysitallJJopeJ1 ies 1 oj Jiber Jor dUferell1 l)osii1olls in abaca lJ[mtts lrown in (lugtemala llonduras OO$a tIjRi(a and PQlUUlla

----- shy ~------------------- l

location

Guutf1l1l111l J(ondurtls (nlll Bien PIlI1II1IU ~c==

Locution

OUlltclllllln _ HOlHilifllS __ (1J~tll Hiell ___

ltlll111JIIl_ --_~

tSjSection 1 Section 2 c

~ Fibcr trCllglh A brusitm resist Fibr strength Abru~ion rcsitshy C (J 000 pounds ance (revolutions (1000 pOUlids auee (revolutions

Flex life Flex life tp~r square inch) to failure) per sfjuarr inch) to failure)(nvolushy (rcolushyt ion to 11-----middot---------------- tions to ttl

fuilII re) failure)Heot 311Scot l I~ ss twist ISZ twist Scott 3 IScoU ~ ISS twillt1 Sz Iwist

gJ inch ~ ineh ~ inch ~ mch - ~

I Z88 8 824 1274 4008 746 667 646 495 1947 490

cp9middot17 859 1895 7595 1937 72 2 777 881 328 768 cp67 II 591 777 3001i 1051 ~ 7ltJ 8 68 6 1316 927 1049 -- 66-4T--62i T---625T-]277T----ooa

~

Section 3 Average ~

= tSj

Jiblr 8t nl1glh Abrtlsion reltit- ]iber strength Abrasion resistshy Flex life CI

(l 000 pOl~nds ance (re~oluUons Flex life (1000 pounds ance (revolutions (reolushy ~ per sCJuare llleh) to fatlure (revolu- per square inch) to failure) tiOIl to

failure) ~ bull Hons to I

t t 31 Smiddot tmiddot 1 failure) S tmiddot Is tt 1( -~ co co ~ SS twit SZ twist bull co 00 ~o ~ SS twist SZ twistwelt 1lclt s IIlch IIlch bull =

c bull I lt1

777 735 884 2978 618 t ~83 4 81 8 ]388 54]6 1352

676 591 777 3006 l051 ~ ~ =r--4Sq---534T---32iir---sisr---792- 63 2 61 4 756 907 915

lt1

=ll

bull J VIlIle~ tlsld nrc a(~ragcs for 111 shcaths dried by the dilfereni mcthods ~ Scott 3 inch and Scott j~ inch refer to the length of the breaking span

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull bull bull

JAnhl~ 1Omiddot-Fl(~ IffI lin ml1nb(r oj r(10111ti01l~ fo joil11r( jor dfiferfllt positions il1 the lJlant oj sun-drwd and machine-dried

00

jiba oj 2 vari(gtties oj abllC(L liOllJlt in fhe C1wmfluhwla raUey Panama IIj ~--~~~------------------------------------

SUll dried Mllchine dried Average ~ Vllri~ly nnd JlOiion of fiher

~

t=ill JlIllllL Outlr T~I~r- Tnner I All Outer IIJI~ht IInner All Outer ITl~til1 Tnner I All shellths~~~~rlll~ shellthsi Ilhellths shelllhsj sl~ellth~ siJellths shealhll 1lIl~athsll~ll~eafh sheaths sheaths =c

t --- 1----1---middot ---I----+---I----~1 I--I----I~-I-------- ---- fi

1-3 lf1l(lIi lIdlllIlO a (HtIUon 1___ _e ___ _ __ __ 1441 843 640 975 1351 1069 686 1035 ]396 95(j (i(j3 1 005

Htclioll 2 ___ bull __ __ bull__ 1018 7iiH 782 851 317 (jIll 914 631 - 668 707 848 741 lt0 Ht~dioll i ____ bull___________ _ 847 847 lt0

~~ - --- ~Q-- - ---- -shyAcrllge __ bullbullbull _~ _____ bull ____ 1 1229 7l8 711 913 834 865 SOO 838 1032 832 75(j 864 ~ =-~=I===I 1==1 -1 --=1 Imiddot BIIII(1I11l1l01l lHectioll 1__ __ __________ _ 9UI 1210 872 1024 2 107 798 1 iiS2 I Hi2 1549 ] 004 727 1093

HIltioll 2___ __________ bull 3071 477 l477 1774 lili8 (iU8 1870 I 174 IIjHncliOIl 3__________________ _ 935 542 738 --1-- 1---1---1-----1---- ~

Aerllgc___ --~-------- bull I 2031 844 1244 I a88 791 1710 740 727 1002 ===1- ~

Hoi h llri(1 ii)S 11 211iHlctioll 1 ___ ________________ 2 014 gt1026 1 756 999 1729 9341 634 clReelioll 2____ _______________ 10991472 98Q 695 1049615 782 1147 492 661 914 =Heel iOlla____ bull _____________ _

~935 ~~ -~~~~- ---~~- --~~- ~~ c tAerllge__ middotmiddot ______________II 630 I ~I 769 1 1027 I I 110 ~774 1~ll 370 ~ 772 915 1-3 cl

OW-llllIlVerllge__ n _____ ____ u_ ~==I------- 1061 1____ _ -------I=----I==sI)L----- ~I------- 927 = u IIj

bull bull bull

__ _

r])II~ 11-middotFlu life 111 1111mblr oj r(zolutions to jail1Ire jor cJijJ(f11t lJositions ill fheplant oj 8unmiddot-dried and machineshycJjieclfiber of f3 rarieti(s oj (ba~a yrmlJn in lo11duras

bull_---_ Sun dried Machine dried Average

gt ~ ] ] ] o J rtl ~ ~ s ~Vuripty und position of ~ ~ ~ 0 0 ~ 0 _ In 0 0 II 0 - tn 0 0 aslib(middotr in plant 0 --oc o S5 ~- ~ ] ~ 1 -5 i~ C ~ 0- 0 ltI 0 ~ rr 7gt I 3 7gt S- ~ 7gt l =~ i ~ ~ E~ ~ ~

0 -0 7gt g 7gt t ~shy- cgt g

III~3 -

0gi ~ - CJ7ii I 0 -tIl 1

~ sect ~6 L1 lt 6 ~ - - lt 6 5 j

~t -~I-_~-I_ IIjI

~lllg1Jillelallao Slction 1___________ 832 981 8344 0031 455 3330 133712571 ]03812069 2081 I HiiOI2 51middot1 21)20 2069 I)

B(ctiull 2 ___________ bull 1024 1024 _ _ 598 505 )23 542 __ ~__ 598 764 523 628 ~ --- -----1-1---- __- -~-------------- tAycrage____________ bull __ H20 ______ ] 20 bull H6S I 5~8 7S1l 1300 _ ___ 879 1639 1522 1348 0-31 -lt

BUllgullillon = = = --~-== -==- ---= 0H(ction L __________ ]838_ bull 127lij 1252 I i5 1029 1027 589 1030 2245 1285 1027 3769 1141 1806

Bection 2____________ 1032 1123 __ -- 1078 bull 563 526 881 657 _____ bull 1020 824 881 90S gt Acra~c----------- bull ~~-~-i~20~--- bull 12i~== 795 32o-~middot95Ii 1451 ______ 102422971011 1357 Cl

= gt

~Both vnridics 1 ojI gt

Section 1__________ 133n 98 1055) 2 (i2S I 500 2 nm 1182 232 1034 2157 1683 1094 3142 1830 1937 Scction 2____________ =2~L~~~741~t~t_~-- 5~ __~02 599 ==~9~ 7Q2 -l6S a = IIj1

Averagc___________ _1 I oosll 0041_____ I 2761---- __1~ 2 3741~ 1378______ 952 1968 1266 1352

Ovcr-nliliverugc_ --- ==F==-r==r==ll 261l==I==I====11 378j== --_---==== 1352

shyCO

bull bull bull

~ lAJIIg j 2 FIr) life in lwmb(1 (if r~ol1Iti071R to failure jor rlijfrrent lJositiQn8 in the plant oj sun-dried and machineshy

driedjiber oj 2 varieties oj aba(a urown in GlULiemala _v ___~__~--____~__________ to

Sun dried lluchille dried Average ~ sect

if] ~-l---I- rn ~ 1 rn - a tIQ

Vurilt y 1I11d poi ion of 3 -5)5 -5 d 15 -5 z d 5 =3c to c -- 00 d ~ $ =e ~- VI as CIS tilIihlr ill plant Col - cr ~ 0 gt - Cogt ooc cgt Co) t - o~ f ~ c cgt~ S c w n J tl ~ I Ul Il g rn SUI rn ~ t ~ ~ a t] r ~ -is a amp~ 50 g 1 ttl _ _ rn _ _ J _ 11 _ _ I c en - rn - CJ J ~ 1- til ~ til Q - I _ ____I~~ _~ ~ lt _ o_~ -~ Li lt 0 ~ ~ i I~ Z

II

llugllinrillnllO

I

H~etioll 1 bullbull ___ 1090 832 298 678 724 1IS6 525 787 617 779 1138 678 542 648 752 ~ Sectiuli 2 bull __ bull _____ I 438 438 _ bull _ _bull ____ ____ __ bull ____ bull __ bull ____ _ __ bull __ _-~

~ ---~-------I----l-----

AnlIwmiddotmiddotmiddot-------- 1 j35 - 581_ 7791_ bull _ 752 J ~=----~=-~~~--==I=~=~ ==-=I = J3111l-(IIIUIl(lIl ti

Hletioll I _ __ bullbullbull 7841 fl23 470 932 702 772 981 588 828 738 778 802 509 869 740 ~

Sprtioll2 __ bull _____ bull 1 I 3Hi 425 590 444 __ bull __ 278jl035 268 527 ___ 310 730 429 490 ~ o

A(rlVc __ _ ____ _ 469 448I--rol--57t-~--=- 6201---si2 548~~ 55(i ~ 649 (j)5 OJ

~Bot h Vllli(t iIS I I IHpc(ionl _______ 087 728 384 805 714 979 753 688 722 786 958 740 526 758 74(i c Section 2 _______ 377 425 590 464 ___ 278 1035 2(iS 527 ____ 3]0 730 429 490 c p

Ayerngp ____ bullbull __ _ ---1 552~ (i9S 589 -----1 516j--s62j 495 (i5(j~ 525j--a28-w4 618 ~ c QYCI-allllWrnVo___ bull =---j= middotjmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot---lmiddot

1

581 1------1-----1------1 - -1 (j891----~1middotmiddot--middot-middot1----middot- ----- 662 ~ __________~_~_L___ j i I c

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF IHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 21

Vhen compuring samples from the different heights in the plant from nil varieties locatIOns of growth areas in cross section and methods of drying thefibet IHOperties studied-fiber strength (3shyinch and Ih-inch span between testing jaws) lesistance to abrasion with the SS and the SZ twists Ilnd flex life-all decr~nsed from the base to the top of the plant (table 13) Data are shown for three sections of sheaths fromPllnama and for two sections of those from IIondullls and Guatemala 1he more detailed data reported in otlwr tables indicated that the maximum strength occurred neal the tOll of the first (i-foot section in the fiber flom Panama where there were t 1ree sections The top section at llanilma however was much weaker than the other two and showed lower Iesistance to ablllsion and lL

shoder flex life In the short plants from Honduras and Guatemala the maximum stlength was reached within ~ or 3 feet of the base Only one section of the plant waS studied at Costa Rica

These results indicate that the fiber from the midlegion and upper cnd of the Jower section of talt plants with l(i to 20 feet of usable stalk is bette I than that from the butt and particulal1y that froll1 the top section whereas the best fiber ill short plants is neal the base Two out of thtee se(tions pLoduce high-grade fibel in tull plants whereas only one 01 eyen less may produ(e high-grade fiber in short stunted plants

Statisli(aJ alia lysis of thse data showed a difference ill fibel stn~nglh with location of growth the samples from Honduras however were testNI IllOlllptl after halvesting wheleas those from Panama wele tlstNI about a )I-al later The fiber ill known to lose some sbength with age in storuge helefore comparison of location may 110t be valid ill these hosts

Ill( dab in sUllImaly tablel inc1iea( that the variety Bungulalloll is stlp(lliol in fibel stlpngth to that or Mauindanao but thnt the two vUlittif-s at IIY silllilll ill resistance to abrasion and flex life The data in Sllllman table 15 i1ltlieate that thel( were no (ollsistlt-nt difflIshy(nelS that (-ouhllw attlibukd to lI1thod of (bying The dehliled data Itow(( show(-d somewhlt gleater valiability in the fiber dried in the maehine (hicr

DISCCSSIOX

Sla(isti(al anillysis of thl data 011 fHwl stlt~ngths illdi(ates that of till two alidi(s of ahaca glown (ol11l1let(ially ill CentlHl A 111(1shy

iea til( libel t101l1 Bunglllallo11 is st Ionl than that frolll ~Iaguinshy(Ianao (tabl( Hi) TIlt lattll nlli(ty lIsIltllly produ(cs a finll fibel but tl1(le wah little if all diflleme ill poundibN from the two varieties ill resistance to abrasion ~lnd flex life

bull bull

tIjTAJIII JJ-PllysitallJJopeJ1 ies 1 oj Jiber Jor dUferell1 l)osii1olls in abaca lJ[mtts lrown in (lugtemala llonduras OO$a tIjRi(a and PQlUUlla

----- shy ~------------------- l

location

Guutf1l1l111l J(ondurtls (nlll Bien PIlI1II1IU ~c==

Locution

OUlltclllllln _ HOlHilifllS __ (1J~tll Hiell ___

ltlll111JIIl_ --_~

tSjSection 1 Section 2 c

~ Fibcr trCllglh A brusitm resist Fibr strength Abru~ion rcsitshy C (J 000 pounds ance (revolutions (1000 pOUlids auee (revolutions

Flex life Flex life tp~r square inch) to failure) per sfjuarr inch) to failure)(nvolushy (rcolushyt ion to 11-----middot---------------- tions to ttl

fuilII re) failure)Heot 311Scot l I~ ss twist ISZ twist Scott 3 IScoU ~ ISS twillt1 Sz Iwist

gJ inch ~ ineh ~ inch ~ mch - ~

I Z88 8 824 1274 4008 746 667 646 495 1947 490

cp9middot17 859 1895 7595 1937 72 2 777 881 328 768 cp67 II 591 777 3001i 1051 ~ 7ltJ 8 68 6 1316 927 1049 -- 66-4T--62i T---625T-]277T----ooa

~

Section 3 Average ~

= tSj

Jiblr 8t nl1glh Abrtlsion reltit- ]iber strength Abrasion resistshy Flex life CI

(l 000 pOl~nds ance (re~oluUons Flex life (1000 pounds ance (revolutions (reolushy ~ per sCJuare llleh) to fatlure (revolu- per square inch) to failure) tiOIl to

failure) ~ bull Hons to I

t t 31 Smiddot tmiddot 1 failure) S tmiddot Is tt 1( -~ co co ~ SS twit SZ twist bull co 00 ~o ~ SS twist SZ twistwelt 1lclt s IIlch IIlch bull =

c bull I lt1

777 735 884 2978 618 t ~83 4 81 8 ]388 54]6 1352

676 591 777 3006 l051 ~ ~ =r--4Sq---534T---32iir---sisr---792- 63 2 61 4 756 907 915

lt1

=ll

bull J VIlIle~ tlsld nrc a(~ragcs for 111 shcaths dried by the dilfereni mcthods ~ Scott 3 inch and Scott j~ inch refer to the length of the breaking span

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull bull bull

__ _

r])II~ 11-middotFlu life 111 1111mblr oj r(zolutions to jail1Ire jor cJijJ(f11t lJositions ill fheplant oj 8unmiddot-dried and machineshycJjieclfiber of f3 rarieti(s oj (ba~a yrmlJn in lo11duras

bull_---_ Sun dried Machine dried Average

gt ~ ] ] ] o J rtl ~ ~ s ~Vuripty und position of ~ ~ ~ 0 0 ~ 0 _ In 0 0 II 0 - tn 0 0 aslib(middotr in plant 0 --oc o S5 ~- ~ ] ~ 1 -5 i~ C ~ 0- 0 ltI 0 ~ rr 7gt I 3 7gt S- ~ 7gt l =~ i ~ ~ E~ ~ ~

0 -0 7gt g 7gt t ~shy- cgt g

III~3 -

0gi ~ - CJ7ii I 0 -tIl 1

~ sect ~6 L1 lt 6 ~ - - lt 6 5 j

~t -~I-_~-I_ IIjI

~lllg1Jillelallao Slction 1___________ 832 981 8344 0031 455 3330 133712571 ]03812069 2081 I HiiOI2 51middot1 21)20 2069 I)

B(ctiull 2 ___________ bull 1024 1024 _ _ 598 505 )23 542 __ ~__ 598 764 523 628 ~ --- -----1-1---- __- -~-------------- tAycrage____________ bull __ H20 ______ ] 20 bull H6S I 5~8 7S1l 1300 _ ___ 879 1639 1522 1348 0-31 -lt

BUllgullillon = = = --~-== -==- ---= 0H(ction L __________ ]838_ bull 127lij 1252 I i5 1029 1027 589 1030 2245 1285 1027 3769 1141 1806

Bection 2____________ 1032 1123 __ -- 1078 bull 563 526 881 657 _____ bull 1020 824 881 90S gt Acra~c----------- bull ~~-~-i~20~--- bull 12i~== 795 32o-~middot95Ii 1451 ______ 102422971011 1357 Cl

= gt

~Both vnridics 1 ojI gt

Section 1__________ 133n 98 1055) 2 (i2S I 500 2 nm 1182 232 1034 2157 1683 1094 3142 1830 1937 Scction 2____________ =2~L~~~741~t~t_~-- 5~ __~02 599 ==~9~ 7Q2 -l6S a = IIj1

Averagc___________ _1 I oosll 0041_____ I 2761---- __1~ 2 3741~ 1378______ 952 1968 1266 1352

Ovcr-nliliverugc_ --- ==F==-r==r==ll 261l==I==I====11 378j== --_---==== 1352

shyCO

bull bull bull

~ lAJIIg j 2 FIr) life in lwmb(1 (if r~ol1Iti071R to failure jor rlijfrrent lJositiQn8 in the plant oj sun-dried and machineshy

driedjiber oj 2 varieties oj aba(a urown in GlULiemala _v ___~__~--____~__________ to

Sun dried lluchille dried Average ~ sect

if] ~-l---I- rn ~ 1 rn - a tIQ

Vurilt y 1I11d poi ion of 3 -5)5 -5 d 15 -5 z d 5 =3c to c -- 00 d ~ $ =e ~- VI as CIS tilIihlr ill plant Col - cr ~ 0 gt - Cogt ooc cgt Co) t - o~ f ~ c cgt~ S c w n J tl ~ I Ul Il g rn SUI rn ~ t ~ ~ a t] r ~ -is a amp~ 50 g 1 ttl _ _ rn _ _ J _ 11 _ _ I c en - rn - CJ J ~ 1- til ~ til Q - I _ ____I~~ _~ ~ lt _ o_~ -~ Li lt 0 ~ ~ i I~ Z

II

llugllinrillnllO

I

H~etioll 1 bullbull ___ 1090 832 298 678 724 1IS6 525 787 617 779 1138 678 542 648 752 ~ Sectiuli 2 bull __ bull _____ I 438 438 _ bull _ _bull ____ ____ __ bull ____ bull __ bull ____ _ __ bull __ _-~

~ ---~-------I----l-----

AnlIwmiddotmiddotmiddot-------- 1 j35 - 581_ 7791_ bull _ 752 J ~=----~=-~~~--==I=~=~ ==-=I = J3111l-(IIIUIl(lIl ti

Hletioll I _ __ bullbullbull 7841 fl23 470 932 702 772 981 588 828 738 778 802 509 869 740 ~

Sprtioll2 __ bull _____ bull 1 I 3Hi 425 590 444 __ bull __ 278jl035 268 527 ___ 310 730 429 490 ~ o

A(rlVc __ _ ____ _ 469 448I--rol--57t-~--=- 6201---si2 548~~ 55(i ~ 649 (j)5 OJ

~Bot h Vllli(t iIS I I IHpc(ionl _______ 087 728 384 805 714 979 753 688 722 786 958 740 526 758 74(i c Section 2 _______ 377 425 590 464 ___ 278 1035 2(iS 527 ____ 3]0 730 429 490 c p

Ayerngp ____ bullbull __ _ ---1 552~ (i9S 589 -----1 516j--s62j 495 (i5(j~ 525j--a28-w4 618 ~ c QYCI-allllWrnVo___ bull =---j= middotjmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot---lmiddot

1

581 1------1-----1------1 - -1 (j891----~1middotmiddot--middot-middot1----middot- ----- 662 ~ __________~_~_L___ j i I c

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF IHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 21

Vhen compuring samples from the different heights in the plant from nil varieties locatIOns of growth areas in cross section and methods of drying thefibet IHOperties studied-fiber strength (3shyinch and Ih-inch span between testing jaws) lesistance to abrasion with the SS and the SZ twists Ilnd flex life-all decr~nsed from the base to the top of the plant (table 13) Data are shown for three sections of sheaths fromPllnama and for two sections of those from IIondullls and Guatemala 1he more detailed data reported in otlwr tables indicated that the maximum strength occurred neal the tOll of the first (i-foot section in the fiber flom Panama where there were t 1ree sections The top section at llanilma however was much weaker than the other two and showed lower Iesistance to ablllsion and lL

shoder flex life In the short plants from Honduras and Guatemala the maximum stlength was reached within ~ or 3 feet of the base Only one section of the plant waS studied at Costa Rica

These results indicate that the fiber from the midlegion and upper cnd of the Jower section of talt plants with l(i to 20 feet of usable stalk is bette I than that from the butt and particulal1y that froll1 the top section whereas the best fiber ill short plants is neal the base Two out of thtee se(tions pLoduce high-grade fibel in tull plants whereas only one 01 eyen less may produ(e high-grade fiber in short stunted plants

Statisli(aJ alia lysis of thse data showed a difference ill fibel stn~nglh with location of growth the samples from Honduras however were testNI IllOlllptl after halvesting wheleas those from Panama wele tlstNI about a )I-al later The fiber ill known to lose some sbength with age in storuge helefore comparison of location may 110t be valid ill these hosts

Ill( dab in sUllImaly tablel inc1iea( that the variety Bungulalloll is stlp(lliol in fibel stlpngth to that or Mauindanao but thnt the two vUlittif-s at IIY silllilll ill resistance to abrasion and flex life The data in Sllllman table 15 i1ltlieate that thel( were no (ollsistlt-nt difflIshy(nelS that (-ouhllw attlibukd to lI1thod of (bying The dehliled data Itow(( show(-d somewhlt gleater valiability in the fiber dried in the maehine (hicr

DISCCSSIOX

Sla(isti(al anillysis of thl data 011 fHwl stlt~ngths illdi(ates that of till two alidi(s of ahaca glown (ol11l1let(ially ill CentlHl A 111(1shy

iea til( libel t101l1 Bunglllallo11 is st Ionl than that frolll ~Iaguinshy(Ianao (tabl( Hi) TIlt lattll nlli(ty lIsIltllly produ(cs a finll fibel but tl1(le wah little if all diflleme ill poundibN from the two varieties ill resistance to abrasion ~lnd flex life

bull bull

tIjTAJIII JJ-PllysitallJJopeJ1 ies 1 oj Jiber Jor dUferell1 l)osii1olls in abaca lJ[mtts lrown in (lugtemala llonduras OO$a tIjRi(a and PQlUUlla

----- shy ~------------------- l

location

Guutf1l1l111l J(ondurtls (nlll Bien PIlI1II1IU ~c==

Locution

OUlltclllllln _ HOlHilifllS __ (1J~tll Hiell ___

ltlll111JIIl_ --_~

tSjSection 1 Section 2 c

~ Fibcr trCllglh A brusitm resist Fibr strength Abru~ion rcsitshy C (J 000 pounds ance (revolutions (1000 pOUlids auee (revolutions

Flex life Flex life tp~r square inch) to failure) per sfjuarr inch) to failure)(nvolushy (rcolushyt ion to 11-----middot---------------- tions to ttl

fuilII re) failure)Heot 311Scot l I~ ss twist ISZ twist Scott 3 IScoU ~ ISS twillt1 Sz Iwist

gJ inch ~ ineh ~ inch ~ mch - ~

I Z88 8 824 1274 4008 746 667 646 495 1947 490

cp9middot17 859 1895 7595 1937 72 2 777 881 328 768 cp67 II 591 777 3001i 1051 ~ 7ltJ 8 68 6 1316 927 1049 -- 66-4T--62i T---625T-]277T----ooa

~

Section 3 Average ~

= tSj

Jiblr 8t nl1glh Abrtlsion reltit- ]iber strength Abrasion resistshy Flex life CI

(l 000 pOl~nds ance (re~oluUons Flex life (1000 pounds ance (revolutions (reolushy ~ per sCJuare llleh) to fatlure (revolu- per square inch) to failure) tiOIl to

failure) ~ bull Hons to I

t t 31 Smiddot tmiddot 1 failure) S tmiddot Is tt 1( -~ co co ~ SS twit SZ twist bull co 00 ~o ~ SS twist SZ twistwelt 1lclt s IIlch IIlch bull =

c bull I lt1

777 735 884 2978 618 t ~83 4 81 8 ]388 54]6 1352

676 591 777 3006 l051 ~ ~ =r--4Sq---534T---32iir---sisr---792- 63 2 61 4 756 907 915

lt1

=ll

bull J VIlIle~ tlsld nrc a(~ragcs for 111 shcaths dried by the dilfereni mcthods ~ Scott 3 inch and Scott j~ inch refer to the length of the breaking span

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull bull bull

~ lAJIIg j 2 FIr) life in lwmb(1 (if r~ol1Iti071R to failure jor rlijfrrent lJositiQn8 in the plant oj sun-dried and machineshy

driedjiber oj 2 varieties oj aba(a urown in GlULiemala _v ___~__~--____~__________ to

Sun dried lluchille dried Average ~ sect

if] ~-l---I- rn ~ 1 rn - a tIQ

Vurilt y 1I11d poi ion of 3 -5)5 -5 d 15 -5 z d 5 =3c to c -- 00 d ~ $ =e ~- VI as CIS tilIihlr ill plant Col - cr ~ 0 gt - Cogt ooc cgt Co) t - o~ f ~ c cgt~ S c w n J tl ~ I Ul Il g rn SUI rn ~ t ~ ~ a t] r ~ -is a amp~ 50 g 1 ttl _ _ rn _ _ J _ 11 _ _ I c en - rn - CJ J ~ 1- til ~ til Q - I _ ____I~~ _~ ~ lt _ o_~ -~ Li lt 0 ~ ~ i I~ Z

II

llugllinrillnllO

I

H~etioll 1 bullbull ___ 1090 832 298 678 724 1IS6 525 787 617 779 1138 678 542 648 752 ~ Sectiuli 2 bull __ bull _____ I 438 438 _ bull _ _bull ____ ____ __ bull ____ bull __ bull ____ _ __ bull __ _-~

~ ---~-------I----l-----

AnlIwmiddotmiddotmiddot-------- 1 j35 - 581_ 7791_ bull _ 752 J ~=----~=-~~~--==I=~=~ ==-=I = J3111l-(IIIUIl(lIl ti

Hletioll I _ __ bullbullbull 7841 fl23 470 932 702 772 981 588 828 738 778 802 509 869 740 ~

Sprtioll2 __ bull _____ bull 1 I 3Hi 425 590 444 __ bull __ 278jl035 268 527 ___ 310 730 429 490 ~ o

A(rlVc __ _ ____ _ 469 448I--rol--57t-~--=- 6201---si2 548~~ 55(i ~ 649 (j)5 OJ

~Bot h Vllli(t iIS I I IHpc(ionl _______ 087 728 384 805 714 979 753 688 722 786 958 740 526 758 74(i c Section 2 _______ 377 425 590 464 ___ 278 1035 2(iS 527 ____ 3]0 730 429 490 c p

Ayerngp ____ bullbull __ _ ---1 552~ (i9S 589 -----1 516j--s62j 495 (i5(j~ 525j--a28-w4 618 ~ c QYCI-allllWrnVo___ bull =---j= middotjmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot---lmiddot

1

581 1------1-----1------1 - -1 (j891----~1middotmiddot--middot-middot1----middot- ----- 662 ~ __________~_~_L___ j i I c

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF IHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 21

Vhen compuring samples from the different heights in the plant from nil varieties locatIOns of growth areas in cross section and methods of drying thefibet IHOperties studied-fiber strength (3shyinch and Ih-inch span between testing jaws) lesistance to abrasion with the SS and the SZ twists Ilnd flex life-all decr~nsed from the base to the top of the plant (table 13) Data are shown for three sections of sheaths fromPllnama and for two sections of those from IIondullls and Guatemala 1he more detailed data reported in otlwr tables indicated that the maximum strength occurred neal the tOll of the first (i-foot section in the fiber flom Panama where there were t 1ree sections The top section at llanilma however was much weaker than the other two and showed lower Iesistance to ablllsion and lL

shoder flex life In the short plants from Honduras and Guatemala the maximum stlength was reached within ~ or 3 feet of the base Only one section of the plant waS studied at Costa Rica

These results indicate that the fiber from the midlegion and upper cnd of the Jower section of talt plants with l(i to 20 feet of usable stalk is bette I than that from the butt and particulal1y that froll1 the top section whereas the best fiber ill short plants is neal the base Two out of thtee se(tions pLoduce high-grade fibel in tull plants whereas only one 01 eyen less may produ(e high-grade fiber in short stunted plants

Statisli(aJ alia lysis of thse data showed a difference ill fibel stn~nglh with location of growth the samples from Honduras however were testNI IllOlllptl after halvesting wheleas those from Panama wele tlstNI about a )I-al later The fiber ill known to lose some sbength with age in storuge helefore comparison of location may 110t be valid ill these hosts

Ill( dab in sUllImaly tablel inc1iea( that the variety Bungulalloll is stlp(lliol in fibel stlpngth to that or Mauindanao but thnt the two vUlittif-s at IIY silllilll ill resistance to abrasion and flex life The data in Sllllman table 15 i1ltlieate that thel( were no (ollsistlt-nt difflIshy(nelS that (-ouhllw attlibukd to lI1thod of (bying The dehliled data Itow(( show(-d somewhlt gleater valiability in the fiber dried in the maehine (hicr

DISCCSSIOX

Sla(isti(al anillysis of thl data 011 fHwl stlt~ngths illdi(ates that of till two alidi(s of ahaca glown (ol11l1let(ially ill CentlHl A 111(1shy

iea til( libel t101l1 Bunglllallo11 is st Ionl than that frolll ~Iaguinshy(Ianao (tabl( Hi) TIlt lattll nlli(ty lIsIltllly produ(cs a finll fibel but tl1(le wah little if all diflleme ill poundibN from the two varieties ill resistance to abrasion ~lnd flex life

bull bull

tIjTAJIII JJ-PllysitallJJopeJ1 ies 1 oj Jiber Jor dUferell1 l)osii1olls in abaca lJ[mtts lrown in (lugtemala llonduras OO$a tIjRi(a and PQlUUlla

----- shy ~------------------- l

location

Guutf1l1l111l J(ondurtls (nlll Bien PIlI1II1IU ~c==

Locution

OUlltclllllln _ HOlHilifllS __ (1J~tll Hiell ___

ltlll111JIIl_ --_~

tSjSection 1 Section 2 c

~ Fibcr trCllglh A brusitm resist Fibr strength Abru~ion rcsitshy C (J 000 pounds ance (revolutions (1000 pOUlids auee (revolutions

Flex life Flex life tp~r square inch) to failure) per sfjuarr inch) to failure)(nvolushy (rcolushyt ion to 11-----middot---------------- tions to ttl

fuilII re) failure)Heot 311Scot l I~ ss twist ISZ twist Scott 3 IScoU ~ ISS twillt1 Sz Iwist

gJ inch ~ ineh ~ inch ~ mch - ~

I Z88 8 824 1274 4008 746 667 646 495 1947 490

cp9middot17 859 1895 7595 1937 72 2 777 881 328 768 cp67 II 591 777 3001i 1051 ~ 7ltJ 8 68 6 1316 927 1049 -- 66-4T--62i T---625T-]277T----ooa

~

Section 3 Average ~

= tSj

Jiblr 8t nl1glh Abrtlsion reltit- ]iber strength Abrasion resistshy Flex life CI

(l 000 pOl~nds ance (re~oluUons Flex life (1000 pounds ance (revolutions (reolushy ~ per sCJuare llleh) to fatlure (revolu- per square inch) to failure) tiOIl to

failure) ~ bull Hons to I

t t 31 Smiddot tmiddot 1 failure) S tmiddot Is tt 1( -~ co co ~ SS twit SZ twist bull co 00 ~o ~ SS twist SZ twistwelt 1lclt s IIlch IIlch bull =

c bull I lt1

777 735 884 2978 618 t ~83 4 81 8 ]388 54]6 1352

676 591 777 3006 l051 ~ ~ =r--4Sq---534T---32iir---sisr---792- 63 2 61 4 756 907 915

lt1

=ll

bull J VIlIle~ tlsld nrc a(~ragcs for 111 shcaths dried by the dilfereni mcthods ~ Scott 3 inch and Scott j~ inch refer to the length of the breaking span

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF IHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 21

Vhen compuring samples from the different heights in the plant from nil varieties locatIOns of growth areas in cross section and methods of drying thefibet IHOperties studied-fiber strength (3shyinch and Ih-inch span between testing jaws) lesistance to abrasion with the SS and the SZ twists Ilnd flex life-all decr~nsed from the base to the top of the plant (table 13) Data are shown for three sections of sheaths fromPllnama and for two sections of those from IIondullls and Guatemala 1he more detailed data reported in otlwr tables indicated that the maximum strength occurred neal the tOll of the first (i-foot section in the fiber flom Panama where there were t 1ree sections The top section at llanilma however was much weaker than the other two and showed lower Iesistance to ablllsion and lL

shoder flex life In the short plants from Honduras and Guatemala the maximum stlength was reached within ~ or 3 feet of the base Only one section of the plant waS studied at Costa Rica

These results indicate that the fiber from the midlegion and upper cnd of the Jower section of talt plants with l(i to 20 feet of usable stalk is bette I than that from the butt and particulal1y that froll1 the top section whereas the best fiber ill short plants is neal the base Two out of thtee se(tions pLoduce high-grade fibel in tull plants whereas only one 01 eyen less may produ(e high-grade fiber in short stunted plants

Statisli(aJ alia lysis of thse data showed a difference ill fibel stn~nglh with location of growth the samples from Honduras however were testNI IllOlllptl after halvesting wheleas those from Panama wele tlstNI about a )I-al later The fiber ill known to lose some sbength with age in storuge helefore comparison of location may 110t be valid ill these hosts

Ill( dab in sUllImaly tablel inc1iea( that the variety Bungulalloll is stlp(lliol in fibel stlpngth to that or Mauindanao but thnt the two vUlittif-s at IIY silllilll ill resistance to abrasion and flex life The data in Sllllman table 15 i1ltlieate that thel( were no (ollsistlt-nt difflIshy(nelS that (-ouhllw attlibukd to lI1thod of (bying The dehliled data Itow(( show(-d somewhlt gleater valiability in the fiber dried in the maehine (hicr

DISCCSSIOX

Sla(isti(al anillysis of thl data 011 fHwl stlt~ngths illdi(ates that of till two alidi(s of ahaca glown (ol11l1let(ially ill CentlHl A 111(1shy

iea til( libel t101l1 Bunglllallo11 is st Ionl than that frolll ~Iaguinshy(Ianao (tabl( Hi) TIlt lattll nlli(ty lIsIltllly produ(cs a finll fibel but tl1(le wah little if all diflleme ill poundibN from the two varieties ill resistance to abrasion ~lnd flex life

bull bull

tIjTAJIII JJ-PllysitallJJopeJ1 ies 1 oj Jiber Jor dUferell1 l)osii1olls in abaca lJ[mtts lrown in (lugtemala llonduras OO$a tIjRi(a and PQlUUlla

----- shy ~------------------- l

location

Guutf1l1l111l J(ondurtls (nlll Bien PIlI1II1IU ~c==

Locution

OUlltclllllln _ HOlHilifllS __ (1J~tll Hiell ___

ltlll111JIIl_ --_~

tSjSection 1 Section 2 c

~ Fibcr trCllglh A brusitm resist Fibr strength Abru~ion rcsitshy C (J 000 pounds ance (revolutions (1000 pOUlids auee (revolutions

Flex life Flex life tp~r square inch) to failure) per sfjuarr inch) to failure)(nvolushy (rcolushyt ion to 11-----middot---------------- tions to ttl

fuilII re) failure)Heot 311Scot l I~ ss twist ISZ twist Scott 3 IScoU ~ ISS twillt1 Sz Iwist

gJ inch ~ ineh ~ inch ~ mch - ~

I Z88 8 824 1274 4008 746 667 646 495 1947 490

cp9middot17 859 1895 7595 1937 72 2 777 881 328 768 cp67 II 591 777 3001i 1051 ~ 7ltJ 8 68 6 1316 927 1049 -- 66-4T--62i T---625T-]277T----ooa

~

Section 3 Average ~

= tSj

Jiblr 8t nl1glh Abrtlsion reltit- ]iber strength Abrasion resistshy Flex life CI

(l 000 pOl~nds ance (re~oluUons Flex life (1000 pounds ance (revolutions (reolushy ~ per sCJuare llleh) to fatlure (revolu- per square inch) to failure) tiOIl to

failure) ~ bull Hons to I

t t 31 Smiddot tmiddot 1 failure) S tmiddot Is tt 1( -~ co co ~ SS twit SZ twist bull co 00 ~o ~ SS twist SZ twistwelt 1lclt s IIlch IIlch bull =

c bull I lt1

777 735 884 2978 618 t ~83 4 81 8 ]388 54]6 1352

676 591 777 3006 l051 ~ ~ =r--4Sq---534T---32iir---sisr---792- 63 2 61 4 756 907 915

lt1

=ll

bull J VIlIle~ tlsld nrc a(~ragcs for 111 shcaths dried by the dilfereni mcthods ~ Scott 3 inch and Scott j~ inch refer to the length of the breaking span

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull bull

tIjTAJIII JJ-PllysitallJJopeJ1 ies 1 oj Jiber Jor dUferell1 l)osii1olls in abaca lJ[mtts lrown in (lugtemala llonduras OO$a tIjRi(a and PQlUUlla

----- shy ~------------------- l

location

Guutf1l1l111l J(ondurtls (nlll Bien PIlI1II1IU ~c==

Locution

OUlltclllllln _ HOlHilifllS __ (1J~tll Hiell ___

ltlll111JIIl_ --_~

tSjSection 1 Section 2 c

~ Fibcr trCllglh A brusitm resist Fibr strength Abru~ion rcsitshy C (J 000 pounds ance (revolutions (1000 pOUlids auee (revolutions

Flex life Flex life tp~r square inch) to failure) per sfjuarr inch) to failure)(nvolushy (rcolushyt ion to 11-----middot---------------- tions to ttl

fuilII re) failure)Heot 311Scot l I~ ss twist ISZ twist Scott 3 IScoU ~ ISS twillt1 Sz Iwist

gJ inch ~ ineh ~ inch ~ mch - ~

I Z88 8 824 1274 4008 746 667 646 495 1947 490

cp9middot17 859 1895 7595 1937 72 2 777 881 328 768 cp67 II 591 777 3001i 1051 ~ 7ltJ 8 68 6 1316 927 1049 -- 66-4T--62i T---625T-]277T----ooa

~

Section 3 Average ~

= tSj

Jiblr 8t nl1glh Abrtlsion reltit- ]iber strength Abrasion resistshy Flex life CI

(l 000 pOl~nds ance (re~oluUons Flex life (1000 pounds ance (revolutions (reolushy ~ per sCJuare llleh) to fatlure (revolu- per square inch) to failure) tiOIl to

failure) ~ bull Hons to I

t t 31 Smiddot tmiddot 1 failure) S tmiddot Is tt 1( -~ co co ~ SS twit SZ twist bull co 00 ~o ~ SS twist SZ twistwelt 1lclt s IIlch IIlch bull =

c bull I lt1

777 735 884 2978 618 t ~83 4 81 8 ]388 54]6 1352

676 591 777 3006 l051 ~ ~ =r--4Sq---534T---32iir---sisr---792- 63 2 61 4 756 907 915

lt1

=ll

bull J VIlIle~ tlsld nrc a(~ragcs for 111 shcaths dried by the dilfereni mcthods ~ Scott 3 inch and Scott j~ inch refer to the length of the breaking span

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull bull bull

--------------------------------

lA IIU~ 14-PhlsicallJr01Jerties I for varieties of abaca grown in Gu(Jiemala Honduras Costa Rica and Panama ~~--- - -~- ~ --~ shy~ ~ - ~

Bunglllllnon lIllguindllnuo A vcrage for both varieties ~ c

Imiddotmiddot I Fib(r I Fiber ~ Fiblr Abrnsion AbrasiOI1 rfnth AbfllSlon stren~th stren~thst(l OaO bull resistunce Flex Fine- resistllnce Fmiddotltmiddotx Fine- resistance Flex Fin~(1000 (1000 ~ pOIlIIds (~(middotolll- life I Jess (rl~oltl- life ness (revolll- life nesspoullds pOllnds J~ocnliiJn tions to (rl- (nllll1- tions to (rev- (nlll)]per sqllllrB 11015 to I(rev- (nlllllshy per squure per squarefllilII rc) 0111- ber failure) olu- berinch) failure) t~~~I~ fN)rs ineh) inch) ~ tions fibers tions fiber s

to in to in to in t

fuil- bllll- I fllil- b1l1lmiddot fail- bllnmiddotScolf Scolt Scoll Scott Scott Scott ~

3 SS SZ ure) die) 3 SS SZ lire) die) SS SZ ure) dIe)lot It 3 It twist twist twist twist inch twist twillt

inch2 illch2 inch inch illch ~ ~--

~ GIIlIlImiddotmuItL_____________ 792 72 4 9053 390 Ii15 31 7(1 0 71i 2 8fi4j2 5fifi 752 3(i 777 73 5 884 2978 618 a11 ondllras _____________ ~ 8R 0 la4 I li89r 4(141 357 31i 79 01 79 2 I 08711 3(19 I a4~ 43 834 81 8 1 388 5 4 1 6 1352 41 COllu WeIL ____________ 71 Ii (i35 822(lj4(111019 221 (13 Ii Il4 S i31 ( a(l5( 084 339 H7 H 59 I 777t OQH 10111 31 lUl1lllllll ___ bull ___________ ~ (19 4 H(il HI9 I0011002 27 59 3 58 2 883 946 864 33 632 61 4 756 907 915 31

-~ a I ulllt IIsed art aCfIl)S for all sheuths dried by the different JIItmiddotthods ll= 2 Keot t 3 inch lind SeotL J2 inch refer to the length of thc breaking spun ~

3 3111e section Ollly

ts

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull bull

~

~ o

rAHII~ 15 Physical JlOperlies I for dU[elcnt mefod~ of drying abaca grown in Guatemala lIondlras Costa Rica ~ and Panama ~

t

~--~ Sun tlrictI I lfllchinc dried I A ernge t=c t t jFiIr st rgt h ~brllsion re- Il~ibl~~gl h hrnsion re- IFiber sl rcngl h ~)-rru-s-io-I-I-rc---- 8(J 000 pounds sIslIIllCC (re- FI I (1000 poullds It II11C( (rt- FI (I 000 poullds SIS III lice (rc- FJ Z

Location I pe~ squure olutions to lif~~ PII quure i olution to lir pe~ squure olutiolls to Ii

I cowch) fmlure) rnvo- IIIlh) fllliure) (re~)- I mch) faIlure) (rcvo- co

f ~codUtiOllS Illtiolls ------- ----~-~-Iutiolls S tt S hI) fnil- sis to fllii- s f s to failshy c1 ~~II s~ s~ lure) bull C1tt ~~I t s~ s~ lire) C~tI ~~I t s~ s~ ure) ~

fl____ inCh 2 incil2 (~stJ hIlS_tJ inch Iin(~ IWlst ~~t~ ___ ~1~I~lCil 2 ___

~ CUIIlllIlHln _____________ _ 7U Ii 74 G 924 3 )64 589 78 7 iC 61 794 3 142 05G 777 735 884 2P78 618 C 3II f llldlllmL -------------- 82 ) 8middot1 8 13U8 734 1271i(OSIIl Biett ______________ 83 9 SO S 1828 031i9 137S 834 818 1388 gt416 1352G72 iiI 2 G)J 3975 1148 (i80 57 1 939 2 037 858 076 591 777 3006 1051 o 1PUlllllnn __ --- ---- ------ _I G3 0 GO 0 775 1 HiS 1027 (22 iiI 3 7li2 (j57 827 li3 2 iiI 4 7M U07 915

~ I Vnlll( used 111( nVPflWS fol ull slltlIlhs dlid by the clifTenlli IIJ(thods = ~ Seot L 3 inch und Scotl I~ inch refer to lhe Itn h of I he brclIking SpUII cc

E3c =t2

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

--

25

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF HE QUALITY OF ABACA IBER

TABLE 16~Summa1 oj analysis oj mriance oj the fiber strength and yarn strength oj abaca fiber jrom Central America

II asterisk indicates significant difference at a-percent level and 2 asterisks indicate significant dilferellle at I-pcrcent level The error of measurement was used in lieu 01 experimental error as test of significance]

----~ Degree of I Degree of sipnificanc~--freedom (fiber strength in 1000 Ibs per sq in)

-gt---~l -~Ii~~I--Io~e-a-ti-o-n-s------Variable

Single All ___~ ________ All 10-I~cu- IIcu-I cutions hon tlOns IPunam Hon- GuMe- lOIll shy

i I a i durlls IIIlila billCd

--~------- - -- - - shy1oeations _ _ __ _ _ _ 2

~ Sections (8) ____ bullbull - - 1 I - -Varietr (V)_ ___ ___ 1 __ i X S bullbull ______ _ bullbull _ bull - I bull Drying (D)_____ _ _ _ _ 1 _ ]) X S ____ ___ - bull - - I - I I -shy]) X V bull __ _ bullbull - 1 I D X V X S_--- - - - - ] ~ - --Sheaths (8h) ___ _ _ 2 _ i Sit X S________ __ _ 2 _ 1 -Sh X V ___ bull __ bull ________ 2 _ i

Sh X V X S __ bull - - - 2 - I -shy8h X D - - - I - 8h X ]) YR bull _ _ - bull - - 8h X n X --- - --- 2 - I --

Error_______ --- 2-1118 bull I8h X]) X y X S~ __ ~ _--=-~t ~ __-__I~~_--_ TotaL____ ________ -Ii 1-13 _ _

=== _ ===1======= (Yurn RtrClIgth in lellgth of yarn

I I reqllir((l to break itself in thoushyi sunds of f(et) I ------

Locations___________ __ 2 Sections (S) ______ _ - bull I - ariety (V) ____ _ __ bull - I I j V X S______ __ -_ Drying (D) ____ ______ _ I D X S ____ _____ _ - _

D X V bullbull - _____ - D X V X S _______ bullbull 11 IShenths (Sh) ___bull _ _ - 2 8h X S ______ ____ - - - I 2 8h X Y ______ 2 0- - shy 8h X V X S ____ ----- - 2Sh X D _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _

2 r 8h X D X S__ - _ shy Sh X D X V ___ bull bull - - 2 J

Sh X D X V X 8 -- 2

Error_____ bull - 118 TotaL_____ bull 143

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

25 lECHNICAL BULLWllX lU1) U S DI-P OF AGlUCULlURB

lhe ~lI1nlysis of vluiHllCe nSIlg fiber shen~ths (1000 pounds p~r sqllllrc lIldl) ~ave sonllwhal d dlplent toIII pall~olll tha n the 1I ntlyIIK baied on lhe length of yarn lcqllired to break Itself (tnbleI6) The signiticlInee found 10L location of growth sellions (height in the pinnr nnd VII riety is the sallie fOL fib(r Rtlength ane1 yarn sttength for nil locations combi ned Di lcllllC~es betwetll the two methods of exshypressing the data lire lIppaLent hocvel in the significance found beshytween the Jength of HbeL to brenk itself and t)ounds pel Squllle inch at individllallocations fOL vIHety and sheaths VII1jety WIIS significant to the 5-peLcent level when the data were expressed in pounds per squnre inch lit Panalllll helens it was not sitrnificllllt on the bllsis of lencrth rcquiLe(l to blcllk itsclf DiHercnces Letween sheaths showed sig~ifi(an(e at the l-pcl(ent leel in length of the tibet to break itselt at PHth location helells they wett significantly tlitlerent at the 1-petshy(lnt level Ilt llallllma and at the i-perclnt Ilol at Guatemala and shOl(t no signifilance at lfolllt1mus hell (ensile ~trengths were compllLed

The gteatest ditfelell(es obseled in all thlee properties lIwlIRllred fiblI strength flex lif(middot and nsistance to abllIsion j were at (Iifferent lwirrhts in the plant This was palticulllrly truo in the Sholtet plants lit Guatemala HlId Honduras bill clitrlllntes in height in plant wPte signifieant at all loclltions ttable Hi) In thl fibet from PlIlIllma there wus little diflerenee in propeIties between the first and sctond sections bu~ the third 01 top SP(tiOI1 was appreciably weilker Ilnd gave lower reslsbuHe to both a)Ia1011 and Hex At the other two locations the top 01 second section wa~ lI1uth yeakel than the base sedioH At Pllnama thete IS II 18-plIeent de(rease ill fibet strength between the filst and SlCOlld sectiolls of the ~poundaguinc1anao plants -12 petcent beshytp(n thl filst and (hiId sedions and a petcPllt between the second uHl thinl spet ions im the Panama Bungulanon variety the ~lecrease III fibet stnngth lip the plant was 05 plteent between the first and second sections 2H pelcent between the first and third sections and about 29 pelcent between the sl(ond and third seetions In the other locations GuutClllula and HondultS the decrease up the plant for Mag-uindunuo fibcl IIS 2a ptICent and fOt Bungll11lnon fibet 26 petshyClnt The abrasion 1111(1 poundpx elata also showN1 infpriol fiber in the top region of the plants

III the (rOSS sectiolls the stleaky Hbpl WIlS in glnllIlI the strongest theinnpl white fibel weaklst with the outer blown fiber and the ocher 01 bun fibet just beneath Ihe streaky sheaths intermediate rhese datn tend to (onfill1l Hlose of Espino (0) Espino Hnd EsglIllla (7) and litOIUl (11 lJ) Missing- valtlls 1I1ade it dillielllt to lMablish signifishyellllCe between thp ditJ(I(nt positions in the (ross se(tion in both the flex a nd II bmsion Llsistallce

No (OIlKishllt di IIPI(II(( WN a pparellt in tIl( fibel propprties beshytwetll the sUIl-dlie(i and ma(hille-dried samples lt tNtain locations the sun-dried fibll was stronget whereas at others the machine-dried fibcl was SlIPlIiol In handling tl1l fibll in nlP laboratory the mashychine-dLied fiber apPllllec1 mOle vaLiable although the two eould Ia 1(gtly bt dist ingu ish ed It was 0)5(1(gt(1 IIwt tile snlface of the hanks of 1ib(I dlitd in tll( IllHchine was O(l(llied am1 the OIe8 nnc1PI(lried Ihl OlItilied Plllt was Jlossibly illjulfd bill the lPst of the hank was plobably in bc-ttel londitioll tllan that (lIitd ill the sun so that the

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

27 A STUDY OF fHE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBER

strength of the Ilvcrnge 11Il1lhine-drietl fiber was not significantly lowel

bull thlln that of till HUII-dliNI fiber at all locations Bunllght is known to inj tlle cellulose fibers to some extent

Obselvatiolls nutde ill the drying sheds Of the decorticating plants where the commercial fiber was being baled indicated that the OVelshydded outer regions of the hanks ele absorbing the excess moisture frOlll the core ot the lUl11ks thus equalizing both of them The ideal condition would be to have this lenling olr prior to baling 01 at least have no IHore moistULe than is llPO([(lt1 to bring nil the fibers to about 10 peleent 1110istll1e when equalizecl This is normally accomplished in Central Ameliel by seasoning 01 tempering the Hber by allowing it to stand for 2middot1 hOUlS betore balillg If fiber (olltainillg exeess lllohture is plesse(l into Il bale biological decay lIlay set in and the fiber wil1 heat cllllsing appIecinble lossls in fibel stnngth and otllll propClties Snch dalllage rntly be detected if pLesent in the opened commercial bales by l tendcnCy of the fiber to llint 01 stick together A white mycelial glowth 01 It discoloration ll110 to TUllgal spoles may also be visible Illld dllllHlglltL bales mlly hare a llluSty odor

UlItoltullllte]Y it was ilnpossible to run all the Hber tests promptly on all the samples Somo itllnple were shipped by bOllt and were not l(~t(ied fOl seclal months aTht the salllpies blought back by air wele tested Cllre was takell hoYen~r to (oHlpletl elleh set promptly wHel it was bpgun so that all (ompalisons except that of locatiun of growth should ue valid The deby in testing the HueI from Panama timl Costn Hi(a lIutins comparisons WJth the dabt fl011 Honduras and Guatemala inadvisable

bull In collc(ting the samples only one of a kind at each location was taken thelefole interpretations of the data from statistical analysis ale limited TILe NTOI of ll1etlSlLlllwnt was llstd as a test of signifshyi(an(c A fnctolinl analysis of the totals of the n1lllfHlrements of 10 breaks on eaeh of two blll1(llN was llsPll to detelmine the validity of using this e llO I iltmn It is il1(lieHfpd that an illdlx of differences may be obtained in this WilY IHovidecl due allowances are made

SUI)IAHY

Ral11l)ICfi o-f fibet hOlll i 0 IIIillil~ of aha(a Magllinclanao and Bllngu 1111011 glOWll in Panlll11a Co~ta Hka Hondllms and Gllateshylila la (1( st ud i((l TILl sa 111 pit erp se INted to sho fiblt Pl0Pshy(Itie~fol (1) ditrelpnt htight-ill tI( plant (2) diUlIellt areas of the cross sectioll~ and (3) Hun-cLLiell and machil1l-dtiec1 Hblt

Thlse data indieatl that thl filwrstllngths of BUllgulanon are sigshynifi(antly glpatlr thall those ot Maguindanao wherever the two varieties are grown

bull

The fibel lIO]llf its yaly with hlight ill plant- fOl both varieties Tall thrift plants glOwn in deep shade sho little c1i1ferellce in fiber properties with lwighf in plant lip thlough tlle first 10 feet but neal the top the Hbll slllngths flex life and lesistanee to abrasion all deshycline Short stuntlcI plllnts grown in inadequatc shade show a llllllked reduction ill phYHieal prolWItils with height in plant above the first -1 Qr i) feet III shod plllllts the first i-foot s((tion going up hom tIlt base may be as ll1ueh as 20 to 0 penlnf highlI ill fiber -tlpngth flex life and 1(5ist-tlll(P to ablll-iioll tha11 t-he seeond section or top

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

28 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber strength is greatest in the streaky sheaths somewhat less in the outer browll sheaths lind the ocher or cream-colored sheaths jwt beneath the strettky and least in the white fiber near the center of the plant

lhete were no consistent differences in fibel properties that could be nssociated with methods of dryi ng the fiber

Althongh the data showed significant differences in fiber properties in location of growth certain of the samples were test(d at least It year later than others therefore comparison may be invalid

A STUDY O METHODS OF CIJEANING CENlRAL AMERICAN AllACA FIBER

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Abaca fibeL is obtained from the oerlappillsectltr sheaths that cOllstitute the false stem of the plant JIU8rt textili8 ince (he fibll mllst be stripped from the lea tissue ill which it grows n study was mude of the fiber Lpsnlting from two methods usld commereiallYto clean the fib(I Most of the abaca fiber from the PhilipIJine Islands if shipped by hand 01 by the hagotnn method The met lOeIS used in this St~leIy are (l) the hagobm Ilwthod which produces the same type of fiLer as the hand Ilwthod alld (2) the raspador or machine method used in Central Arnerica The manner of cleaning the fiber as well as the amount of fiber extracted from the plant differs in the two methods

The leaf sheaths of abaca start about 10 to 15 inches above the ground and thl inner sheaths extend the full length of the false trunk which culminates in a rdsette of leaves at the top The dorsal or outer region of thl flelllicirculatleaf sheath is ery rich in fiber whereas the rest of the sheath tends to be fleshy 01 porous (4) The Filipinos lealned to relllove the outer skinlike surface by inserting a sharpshypointed instlument at a tangent to the curved sheath and stripping ofl the lOmillIed portion The ribbonlike strip is known as a tuxy

In the hand method the tux was drawn between n knife and It

bloek of wood to remove the nOll fibrous tissne The tuxy was pressed agaillft the knife edge by the stip of wood held by a level 01 weight Frequently a bent sapling was used in conjunction with a weight The strips or tuxies range from 4 to 15 or more feet in length They are cliflicnlt to pllll across the knife particnlarly It smooth-edged knife which is more satisfactory for the finer grades of fiber Sershyrated kniws are (OIHIllOlllv used fhe coarseness of the fiber increases with f((gtI sPITations pel inch since morc stmnds are left united into strips or ribbons

NIATEIUALS AND METHODS

The hagotan method (fig 1) of cleaning may be considered It

modifiefltion of the hand method A lIlotor-driven spindle was deshyveloped to do the major portion of the work in pulling the tllxies across the knife It tonsists of a cone-shaped pulley around which the fibers an Tapped anel held taut so that they are olmc1 011 the l)UlIey The pulley is l1l0tol-c1riven and the speed ~lt middothich it draws t le fiber over

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

29 ITDY IIF Till (WLlTY OF B( FJBFll

bull

bull jll klliI dqHlld Oil thl 1()~it(J11 allJlI~ llil ((lill Ill III I (lid lill Iraw till lil1 11-111 Illall I Ill ~llllIli Illd III Pllpllilig llil plallt IllI Ilw IWI(IIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIl 1ll1 hlitli a 11 IIIXild a Iw 1IIIll1Ill(llIllIII(lIl

I I till 111(JIl11 lilllliilll i proplI adjLl-(pd alId Oplnlt(ll tlill huilld 1111 111111111111111 III dIIIIiP til Ilttlil)I lIIillltlllltltLII til( plallt dIIIj IItub Ill IlIilH till IIIl-tliPPld POllioll 01 llil tlIX IIlId IIlt1 llnk Hill III 11llil)(I~ FIlIIIIlIIIHJI1 (IItiy H jlOlt iOIl (II till 1(1 [ 11lat it i 11ld wd a [111 1Ji till lill(I i Ilit witlt till di-IHldd IllalPIill

11111111 dlIlIllilllillll Iii ~) illq ill IlIlIlIy 1ljll(I 11(1111 lill 1IJall III IllId FOIl Ill illalilill( 1I1l1 lillil (JI d(OI1 i(HI iOIl I ill Ipu r Itlk 11111 IIClIIild alp III illlo -1lioll- 11(llll I to Ii fllt ill iPlIglil III dalk 1111111 ~1][ltli- IlItI 11( 111110( Illid dblilldtd ill (itt lipid 01 ltI II it 111 [ p 111 Ia 1t Iy Tit( -PII i II II 11( 1IIllI (IIIIIld Iwt 1(111 O Ill 1-

tlld il lilHl I -ItPlI IIl1l (lid 11 a I ilill IJy I Ill 11IIgl Iloing I htll- t IlttlI[IIltOI 1l11litilll Thpl Iwl IIII jlllillll til II il(ll 11111 Itl laddlllik( Imjn Oil Ihlil tlldll 1Irialp IHIIHllIli(lIlal to Ihp illlljll Ill Ihl 111()(lllllll III Ih tIPI TIll (Il1hld Inlk an

bull 111 1tiJI1 11 1111l lIn-d til fil lliP tpI 11 (OlltllIt to till LIiIHI llthd IIII lilI aI IHld III(HI (lI 1(- -Ial iOIltI) tilt the

j1 f i- HIli 11 Ia-

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

30 J IXHIlL HlILETI tII _ DEPT OF [tWTLITHI

Ar

bullmiddot

(i

bull

Villl- L I )1JtIUt fit i al dPIIIIl it illmiddotl1- piant 110 ill lillildot 11lIlliilil ltlt lp~tt Vllft-L It lo1 t al~t1 tihtt Ipnitl at ftmiddotft Nt a padlll dtlortitntilln tUtt huf I lwLltfoti lit allitct illlnll-- (thJmiddotrillglt lJlIl hmiddotft aud (IPtillPt JilJl 111HH~tllf ~ fbplmiddot~h

Till IIi~l ~1t1k i Illd 11 n I~tll d 1(JPI Tip~ II hill olH Plld

i lpi1- ((1111 [IPd 1111 bll r[]l111cl lillll lilt TI(~IIlmiddotd ~tllk t 1tl1l

tlll Ill II) 1 1111 11 or [11[11 Tip t Itll hold til Iltllld libll hiltmiddot lIlt ol 1111 Iltd i- IIljll (1[1111 inllmiddot lII1I lilll i~ pllIIld (Jill of tit( Illl rq tI II itl lilt ollwl plallt dlhli- all )11-1 l IIH Ill bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 31

fibtr is extracted from the entire cross section of the sheath in the Illachine method but only from the outer sUIface 01 tux) in the hagoshytall method A yicld of about 2 percent fiber on the basis of the glet11 weight of the stock is common pound01 the hagotall method whetcas ~t yield of 05 petcent 01 more is expected poundOl~ the machine method

111 yipw of thp wide diffetlllees ill yield of filwl betweell the hagntan alit raspnltlol 1I1aehilll Ilwthod of deeOltieatioll It stud was mtule of (1) tlte physic-ill properties of the HbN flOm each method (n the type of fHJ( plodueed alld (8) any injuries thut might cause wlaklless Two alielilS wetl compared in Pallama and six in Costa Rica

The tensi Il st(~lIgths gellemlly wele sl ight Iy fTeatll fOl the Hagoshytall-stripped fibel at both locatiollS (tllbll 17 alld Hi) Thlmachilleshydtloti(attll tibc ilom the alieties LihlltOIl and I)utiall grown at Good HOPI (ota Him was stl(Jllgf1 thull that clealled by thl hagoshytan lIIethod (table It)

tn nUilt ips I()wni II Igtanama the lib( from B1I1I11I1a1H1I was slightly stlOlIgll than that pound10111 )Iaglli IIda 11110 ~o signifiltant diOelshy(IWeS (e fOllnd ill the stlength of the fibcl from till dillelen valieshytiCs gon in Costa Hiea eX(lpt pClhaps that of Putian which was Iihth tlongll wh(n (leaned by the lIlaehine mcthod than the other fh( ntlitmiddotties t(stN Hince this nllipty is known to ploduec a Iclashy(1ply w(ak Jibll whcn grown in thl Philippine Islands fUlthcr study ~hould bc madl blfolp tinal conelusiollS are drawn

IAHL8 17-Physical properties oj machine-decorticaiecL ancl hagotanshysIippul fiberrom 2 f(llitlies oj abaca g)01llI in the (hanIUfllola ralshyley I)anama

Fiber H(sistnll(l to i Fincness strength I abrasion (reOIU- FI x life (number

ltd(I lnd 111(1 hod of (1000 tions to fnilure) (r Oll- of fibers amp lhllning poundsIte ~ ~ I per per --- I 1~1l 0) 1 standshy

square SS SZ fllliure nrd ______ I~lh) twist twist bundle~)

i[llguil1dIlIlIlOill(hillc_ ________ bull __ 5U3 883 946 86-1 33I Ilgo tall - _ 728 515 1220 (j70 20

2(j

JJUllllllllllOIl Slalhill( _ (lU) GOO 100205 27 HllgOtl11l __ 78 ) 536 1il2 713 17 shybull ----~ --~---

72 0 578 (1middot16 858 22

I 3-llllth ~pnll i)pt 11((11 tptlllg jnw ~ 15 iueills Jong nnd nighing 325 IltillilllllJ

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

---

32 rECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

lADLE 18-Physical properties oj machinedecorticated and hagotanshystripped fiber from 6 1arieties oj abaca grown at Good Hope Oosta Rica

I I Fiber Knot 1 Resistance to I Fiberstrcn~th 1 strcngth 11 abrasion (rcvolu- t 1lc - rr finencss(1000 (1000) tions to failure) ( x 11 c

Variety and method pounds pounds _ ~ _ ~ev~ u- (fibcrs of cleaning per pcr tl(~ns to per

I failure) standardIs~luare s~luare SS twi~middott SZ twst bundle 2)mch) mch) ~ 1

MaguindanaoMachine____ ____ 71 7 167 551 1380 515 32 Hagotnn_________ 773 154 3216 2107 51)6 27I

Av(rIge-------L_7~- 5 =_JiO=~84 i-~ 744= 55li [_ 30

Bun~ulanon I Machine_________ 1 08 J ] 54 837 450 425 28 Hagotan _________ SO 5 188 503 871) 554 23

j

Avemgl _______I- 747 171 715 [=mi8 41)0 bull 26

Tangongon IiMachinc_________ 72) 162 I 2340 1018 552 27 Hagotan ______ __ 745 142 ()57 l 1400 I 585 28

Average_______ 1middot~-7-3--7-1---15--2- I (48 1214 1-568-28 LibutIi _ - - ~ [==

l[achme_________ 7013 I 174 70101 724 0160 20I nn nHagotan_ 730 I 178 _ ~ I 772 l_~_~__ [

Average __ middot_____I__~middot2 1= 170=730 i2218=~14 L 29

Putian Machine____ ___ 847 173 2145 844 1132 ll 36 Hagotan_________ 71 7 165 I ~ 545 2378 I 732 26

----1----1 i---Averagc _______ 782 10) 1345 I ()U )57 I 31

~~===--==i==t==- (=== Sinaba I

Machinc_________ (j37 154 li8) 12li5 70() I 31 Hagotan_________ 81 0 H)) 62) I 200li i )42 33

verllge _______ =-~ I~ 6 =~5J 1 (i31i 824l-_~--3-2 Summaryavcrage I I

Machinc_____ __ ~ I~ n W 4 I 220 048 i 648 30 Hagotan ____ --___ Ii 3 171 1107 1758 U80 28

Oycr-all a vcr- 1age_________j 746 I 168 I 1164 13531 6li4I 3 inch spun betwccn testing jaws

2 15 inclws long and weighing 325 milligrums

Differences between the knot strengths of fibers cleaned by the two m(thO(R were not eonsistent although 011 tIlt aVllage the hagotallshystripped fiber was slightly but not significantly stronger than that froll the maehine mltthod of cleaning Among vulieties no I11IHked differences in knot strengths were apparent except for the variety

bull

bull

bull

29

I

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 33

Tangongon which was on the avemge slightly weaker than the others tested

The methods used to study resistance to abrasion and flex life showed YIllintions in fibel propelties within It given sample These variations Ilre due in pal-t to techniques that are not refined enough to permit the nleasurement of small ditrerences

In general the machine-decodicated fiber was more lesistant to ablasion when looped with til( ~S twist than was th( hagotaushyshipped fiber (tables li alld Hi) The hagotlln-stripped fiber on the oth-l hand was more resistant to abllsifln when looped with the SZ twist (tables 17 and 18) Vhen grown at Panama and Costa Rilta thefibet from the variety Maguindanao was more resistant to abrasion thlllt that flom Bungulanon Of the six varieties grown in Costa lica ~Iuglll~ndanao showed the gTeatest and BlInglilanon the lowest resistshyante to ablllsion for the SZ twist

The ma(hine-detoltieatNl fiblI had a grClttlr flex life than the hugoshytan-stripped fibel at Panama (table 17) wheLCas the re else was true in Costa Rica (hlblmiddot lH) The di IIPIenees wem not cOllsistent in Costa Ri(ll siJl(l in the mriety l~utian the machine-decorticated fiber had a gleatcl flex I if~ than the hagotan-Rtri pped

The Hlaehine-d(lOltiCnted Hbpr from both yaLieties grown in Panama was linel (rayc more fillClS PCI bundle) than that stripped by the hagotan method (hlul( Ii) 111 Costa Hiea (crtain alieties gave It (OlllStl fibcl (fewcl fibcrs per bundllraquo for the machine method than -[01 the hagota n lIllthod (ta bllgt HI) Hcnsons fOl tId b(ha viol IIneIll tlte two 1I1lthods of Plo(cssing are not cleal howeer Since revelsals ((re found in otiWI propeltits of thcsl same samples~ it J sllggested that additiollal data b( obtninNI on thpsl Iilti(5 and methods of cItll n ill

Thl lila(hine nwthoc1 of deaning extrads fiber from all parts of the leaf sh(ath 1l(I(~as thl hagotan method takts only the Ollter or dorsal sil(middot _ study of tht Ii Ill strudule of the fibcl using 111 X-ray difha(shylion II1ethod was mad(middot on the fil)(l from thne locations in thc leaf sheath-thi dOI~middotnI 01 outer side the (entllll pithy region and the inner 01 lntml side of the leaf The X-Ill) dinmetion pattelns showed a hiher deglee of order of stIU(tUl( in the (ellulose in the fibN ftOIll the OUllI lIgiolls of 111( IIa-[sllPath (fig 3 a) used in the tux) thall in the (I1IIt1 andilllle) l(gions lfig a b and c) which are also included in thl I11Heitilll-(Ilanpd fibN The (rystal1iles were allangl(l IBo[emiddot Iwady parallel with the long axis of the fiber in the ollter region used in the tuxy as indicntecl by the short equatolal arcS in the X-ray difillIctioll pattllI1 with a prorIlssi(ly poolel orientation in the centml lind illlHI nmiddot~i()ns of the shlath as indi(ated by the greater lengths of the 1Il01C prominent ares in the pattell1s (fig 4) The ShOIllI the HI(S the mOle nelllly the ((middotl1ulose is IInanged parallel with the fiber axis nlHl i(( ([a If the (ellulmie lI)stallites were lllTanged pfmtllel with tlw fib( axis the ales would be sharp spots 1I10le 01 less equal in all diltlions

It is nmiddotcogniz(middotd that fiber (lamage sustained in the deCortication prOCeSR maya fted tl1l pllrsiea I propllti(s of the fiber The abaca fiber as knowll in tommpltP is a tTllnd of llIan individllal ib(l (ells The indiidual fil) ((lIs a 1( ilbout 7 lllillillllt(lslong alld 15 toW mkrons in dialllcgtte whCIlas (he stTalld Illar bp to to Ui fPlt lOll and (Ui mi11ishytn(t o JllOlP ill width Tht prOillItil of thl lOIIlIIl(Icial fiber are

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

34 lEClLlCAL BULLETl~ 999 U S DEPT OF AGRlCULTUBE

bull

JoI(lVlt~ -A lHctiln of llW (lYlllalllling llIentll Ill till faist Slt~111 of the IIIJa(a Jllunt (I DOIal or OIlH1 legion ut hlath Ii tllllllll llg-ion c lilnel or ventral l(glon

bull A 8

c VUIIF I-X-ray lillat iOIl 1ltIIlIIIS 1 A Fillpl fIll III the tlillal 01 OIl(I

llgioll of ~IHal It (PI liglll 1 IJ llnd () B till cpllt a I (gioll and C the bull IntHI III qutTul ~Igillll Tlw gpt1(Iui -illtit and lImpllI (If iilll IW 1111 illlllt-Illi IIIP tllgrp of 1lIllel IIl1d iiI illlgtil I tlt( 1111111 jlllilililH11l HI inshy(lit-all til 1I1lt1talillll oe till (cilulllc ill 1(~l11 til tilt tillI asi

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

A --TllJY (1F THE tHALITY of ABl FIBEH

bull

bull

lltJl~L ltJtumiddott- ir-lmiddotnl li~tI tf~tl It (middot ~L l~ 11 llH~ IU~HhllH tlt~lmiddotolmiddotitmiddota lll~u Iff dllcmiddot~1 fP Imiddot

jIPIHhhlllll tlUb OJ IIII iLdiidllal nll~ tlj Illp a thly alp hOlllld tmiddottiwlbullbull11 lloilll tiWI (lId Illd 10 Ill~IJ OJ ~l-Ialatl tlllP [lilY

bull jt~ 111101 pld1 IIII 1111ll jllllId

nlt 1IIILld IIB- a ll 111l~ (Lmiddot HilmiddottillP)it1I jmiddotttmiddotj liIHI ~ nl tal Illalld til 11 lri~~ III 1 li-fd ~1(l1~ alnl1 till lill Iii oj -nlW f Ill iIIJld- 11111 I Ill 1lillmiddotl1 lJllIlII~-Ill

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

36 lECFL~ICAL BULLETIX 999 U S DEPl OF AGlUCULlLHE

failUles sueh as are commonly found in wood nitet failure under compression (i) For the most part the individual cells were not rupshyhned but in many instances the strand waS so mutilated that the individual fiber cells were to nlarge extent separated (fig G) Usually these injuries were confined to n region within 1 foot of the ends of the fibers but occasionally they could be found throlighout its length Test specimens taken near the ends of the G-foot sections in the regions where the injuries were pronounced were about half as strong as bundles taken in the midsection where few if tny injuries could be found

In addition to a loss in shength these injuries may also cause diflieulty in spinning The fibel tends to bend or buckle more readily at the point of injlly which results in tangling and matting Where the injUlies are confined to the ends of the fibet they can Le trimmed otf but whelc they occur some disbll1ce from the lnels the quality of the fibe may be pelmanently retIuCNl FtllthlI1I10Ie any tTimming cause both a loss in fibel an(l nil increased cost of ptotltldion

lUlew G-Iju(r injnlils lIIore highly magnified showing PIllr1 lion of intiillllltl tlblr C(Is

DlSClSSIO

The method t1ld in obtaining the tibel data Ieportell here particushylarly the resistallce to abrasion and the fI(middotx life ale still in the proeess of t(elopm(nt They a 1( howHel the best available These methods wele first des(ribed by Schiefer (10) and modified by 131 Ikley5 The lattlL showed that the fiber stength resistance to ablaston and flex life decreased with height in abaca plant and arieti ttOIll sheath to sheath in the cro section Variety and location of growth produced fibel of diffelent physical propelties

The ha(Jtan llllt hod was denlopld to a II iltrh tllglce of pedectioll in the Pliilippines and later introduced on a~ experimental basis in OllItllIImeJica plioL to the use ot tht laspadol-type machine The hagotan-s Iipped fiu(I Icpolted on here llIay not be of the same hih quality as thnt flom the lgthilippines because of a lack of experienced ()ICIS in Centnd Amtlica The l1Itehine-de(()lticated fiber was fintr gae glcater Iesistance to abrasion with -is twist (along the

bull ~tf (diou in Ihl [HIIletin 011 Thl Qllality of (putlal AIII(lican AhaC1 Fih1 us AITplNl by Yarhl) Lo(aliull ()C OIOlh loiti(lI1 ill 1lant 1I1(1)lllhv(l of 1)1)ill p I wi iIo llliol1 lt111 11111)011 1-tillg )ladlilllS It) ~11H1)illg (OI(I IIn( OIIl(1 LOllg YIglluhl( FillI D 38

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

37

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~HE QUALITY OF ABACA FJBEH

fiber) and gleater flex life whereas the hngotan fibtl was coarser lmd stronger rlave greater resistance to Ilbrllsioil with SZ twist (IlCIOSS the fiber) IUI( had greater knot strength The greatel fllX life of the tnllchine-decorticated fibet mlly be due to the finCl textule

~il(e the abrasion method used is not entirely free of flex the greatel Iif( of the ma(line-cleaned fiber with the ~S twist nUl also be assoshyciated with finelwss Tillse fihers also pack mOle cos(I and give a smoothel sUlfaee less subject to abmsioll The greatel strength of the hlotan-stlippcd fiblr (11 be attribllted to its supllior slllIltIlIe HIHLfl~edoll1 frolll injulies The same plopelties may account for its gleater resistance to abrasion (8Z twist) but cOa lsencss may be It ia(tOl

Xatural cellulose fibers havo It spiral structure in the cellllloso stands 01 fiblils and lie ill a spiml around thl IibeJ as slOwn by tho X-IIlY difllIClioll paUellI Till shpraquolr thl piteh of tl( spiral the stl()ng(l the fiblr Aba(a fibels Ilrc in general stronger and Illle a lllOlC IHlIallpl stllI(tlle than most hnnl tibels IIS(( iololdugl SimshyiUIII tIl( fiblIs folll the lll don of till henth used in II( tux) and in the hagotan Illethod have ii bCUCI stluCiule and tll(~ stTongl than tIH)Sl flOI1l the otlllL lCgiol1s of the Ila sheath The maehinc-Cleaned libtI (OIllPBflOIll all parts of the slHuth and would bl pxpeeted to be sOI(what 10(1 ill sttength than the more selletive hagolan-slTipped li)tI

Till rHpadol-type dl(otieating nmehines used in ((nITal Amelica dalllage tll( ibN to son( (~xtpnt SOllie of thes( Illaehin(ls injulld tIll fitlel 11101( thall OthlI8 Injulies (onsist of clushp( fiber strands wlllIL the in(iidllal ((lis ar( sepamtecI -hen~ the damage was PI0I101lIa((1 tl( fib(I stllllgth was lPtlUCNI Indiealiolls are that in g(J)(lal il injuries should oCClIl in proplr1y a(illstNl IIIHlhinls Till injllljlS all lIHlIalIy olllillld to tlt( pnds of till fiblli and plObshyabh elll( mOlp diliclIlty in plOllssing than they do ill the reduction ill ~tlllgth or thl linishld plmiddotodllll

Tltpse data illdilall I hat althoulh tIl( difl(IlIHPS in fiblI stllwtlllO ill the ariolls pgiolS or fhp IlHf hpath anll the dalllage tlstnined in CHI([lIl1y adju4t(t d((ol-tilaling malhinls nwy 1t(llI(P tIl( qlality of the maehinl-(l(olticatlll fibcl to some lx((III till fibN is still 01 it high gm(l 1h(y also in(it-atl that tIll ~T(at(11 yields and (eollshyonl) of man hOlUH ~I~ hntTlsting and (leaning the fiblr by the machine lllltholl eall be JlIstlfted

SV~iHY

Two vnlipties of abaea fibl flOJ1I Panama and six valietipflom COBtn Hica PI( ~inn spl(ial sampling (onsiilCIaiion al1ltl (I(lIwd by two difl(I(nl Illlthods on ha~otnn find laspaltlol Illll(h i liPS

Fill(U( tlpngth ablnsion by SS (along Ill( fibCI) and ~Z (a(IOSS thl tiblI) f1lX life and knot stltn~ths Wel( dNclIninec1

Fihpl stTU(tUIC was dttllllined hr X-Ia- method ~1a(hil1c danwge to ibN was (vuiuajN1 ~ III g(IlNal till laspI(IOI-(l(OItira tpd fillcl was fhll1 nnd showed

gTlallI IPHitan(( to ablasioll (SS Iit) and gIlafll fllx lifl Thl hag(ltansllipJlPd tilwl H (oal(1 and sl longPI alld llop( a gIPtllI Iesirancc lo ablaion (~Z thit) aud a gleater kllOt stnngth

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

38 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The fiber-structure texture and lack of injuries can account for the gleater strength of the bugotan-stripped fiber

The glellter yields by the machine method und economy of labor in hnrvesting justify the small reduction in quality of the machineshycleaned fiber

IMPROVED TESTING MACHINES FOR STUDYING CORDAGE AND OTHER LONG VEGETAUU~ FIBERS

By EAItL E HEKKUY and LYLt E BESSLER

INTRODUCTIOS

The cordage industry untillecently had little cause for concern over the qUlllity of the fiber used BefOte the last war the Philippine Islllnc1s furnished the United Stutes enou h good quality abaca fiber for OUl needs fOtmiddot marine cOl(lage and to a hnmiddotge extent for rope twine and other domestic prodlhts as well During the WIll nnd even more in the cordage-hun~ry postwar period the quality of the abncn fiber leceied from the Philippine Islands declined nml the supply became inndequate As It substitute the cordage industry used sisal for Ilbaca in certnin types of cordage The possibility of even lower supplies maklS it neceSSlllV that we know 1IIore about the quality of the fiber useltl so that one fibetmiddot may be better substituted for anothel

Studies of the properties of cordage fibers have been until recently confined ltngely to phY8ieal strength of fiber These data W(le not too well defined Ot eOllelated with use ynlne The National BurellU of Standnrds developed methods Ilnd instruments fOt abrasiollund flexshyllre tests for both soft and hard fibers that were considered of vlllue in the ~n emetgene) The ~ene~lll f)~inciple of the lll~chines b~lilt by Seluefer (10) has been mlllntallle( 1Il muclunes used m obbumng the datil teported here Improvements have been made however in the workill~ pIts und automatic switches were installed to cut the machines off when 1 yarn iailed

The modified Illllcliines have been used in routine testing in a study of varieties and of etrlets on fiber propelties of environmental conclishytions dndn growth1 MOte speeificlllly the machines have been used to obtnin pinsieal data on how lItious luua and soft fibers react to long periods of stomge and how tht) vary with ptocessing methods such as rettin~ degumming 11(1 deaning They also have been used to study the time of hl~rvest or optimum age for the best fiber quality and methods of samphng

Prepllllltion of the samples for testing in this study was very similar to thut desclibed by Schi(fer (10) AftN careful Sllmp1in~~ th( fihers well cut into IG-iueh llngths und wei~hld into buncll(gts of 323 millishygrams each A twist of one turn per inch to form a yarn was given each bundle prior to mounting ill an especially designed rack where the

1he authorS wish lratlfull~ to acknowlpdge the mechunlcal nsslstnnce and gllitlance in milking the chunges nnt iJn))IOPlllPnts in lIU1thlne dlsil11 by the instlllluent shop nndl1 the ilill(tion of 1 F 01 nllins in till Diision of loiL )lnulIg(llIlnt IIlId IlTlgatiOIl IIlId the Dhiilln of Flrtililwl IIml glicultlllUl Limt

See s(ldlon in this lJlIlI(tin Oil r11( Qllulity (If ((nillll 111111(111 Ahll(1 Fiher liS AtTNted uy Ynrlety Location of Growth lositioll in Plant lind oletholl of f)ryin~ p 4

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

39 A STUDY OF rHE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEU

bundles welcheld ill position to be glued to papel ships For mountshy

bull ing on the abrnsion machine a distance of (j inches between the paller glips was necessary to give the coned length of yllrn whereas for flex life S inches was required The crude yalns are spll(ed about 1 inch apart 011 the strips of puper After gluing the fibel bundles to the papel sttips hepapel is cut betweln la(h bundle lellying a slIIall tab glued to each end of the test specimens and the tab is )ullched (fig 7) (01 mOllnting on the testing madlines A mOl( dehulcd disshycllssion of the nHthods of preplIllltloll and lIIollnting of samples is given by Sehiefel (10)

In 01lt1(1 that the fibel-Stnmgth data might be reported in terlllS of tensile strength all instrument waS (ltwelopld to lIIeaSlIle the crossshysectionlllarels of the VIIIIIS 01 fib(r bUlldles The (Ioss-sectiollalaleas W(Ie mellsllleltl by t1H~ i nst lUlllell shown ill figure 8 -l slot (a) 004 of nil inch in width was fittld with a plUllglt (b) with which till libelS we1( pll(kl(t to a gil~1I density The dellsity was detllmined by 11

spllng (r) hieh fOIld the plungll into the slot The plunger could be JifHd out of the slot 101 loading by a foot pednl (d) thus petmitshyting till use of both hands in handling tll( fibel Tlw height of the fih(gtJ bllndl( in the slot was Iecolded hy mea ns of un Ames (lilll s (e) wli(l1 was plll(((1 011 a lenr () The distnne( from the fulcrum (g) to the dial laquo) waS twiee that to til( pillngel (b)

bull The alpu of I he llOSS s((1 iOIl of tIl( )lInltlle in S(IIIIIe inches was

obtuinltl by multiplying the width 1 OM of lin inC I by the height as read on the Ames dial ]im (onyenil~ll(e of opllalion the instrushyment was (((signed so that the (oss-sectional area eould be quickly obtained br addillg the Illights of the blndl(~ as read front the tlial II ea(h end 01 the ips sl)(illl(II jlst OlltRi(1l the paper glips This wus made possiblt by IIlt1king tIl( width of tlw gloovpound U fndol or 4 and the levpls flOlrI fuhllllII to dial and flllclllln to sample a ratio of 2 to 1 ItspNtinI Ill( h(ight of t h~ blllld(gt Ht padl (lid us Ipad from thl dial was lIiultipliNI b) ~in th~ lel~I systtm Wll1I udded t~ogetllel~ the W(J( NIHIII to th( height (IIlWS tlt( hlladth of the yarn slIlee the othcl dilllNlsion was O)~ or an inch In this way the clliculations were Irl(atl silllplifi((l b A 1l1oJlHmtal lag in Tlading Ihis illstlullwllt is due to the slow comshyPIlRsiol1 of the fib(~I (IIl is tlwJdoll 1H1ISSalY inll1aking the dialllltll nl(aRlIll1I11nts The btst INHIIts a11 obtai lied by htt illg one indiidual milk all till (iall1(tlI lIIelSlIllllllnts so that thcpeniolllli elemellt is e] il1l inated

AUHASION

bllsi01l may be dlfinld as a repeated stess action on the sudace of thl tlst spliIllln Hunblll)ll (8) listed the following as lhe more dcsirable lHOPIItils of ilia teJi a I subject to repeated stress

1 Low modulus of elasticity 2 Lalge illllllNliatl elastk ddlldion 3 High ratio of Iwill1lIV to s(~lol1daJy creep 4 High magnitude oflHillmlY creep

bull ) High ttl of PlillllIY Clcep

bull n C A1I1I5 ((tlllpall~ Illthlllll middotlrjll~ [(onlloll of hlllntl nOIll(S sll(l11lt1 not h( ollllu(I1 as lin IIHhu51I11111 iI Ihl DlllllIllIunt of A I i(II it 1111 of t h( Ill(Ilu(t No lli5(litlllI11th)llIS iIlIJlIllllUlI 110 111(11111(1 (itll Ill lX1III~Slli II illllllill

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

40 fECl-DIICAL BCLLETlX UUOJ C S DEPT OF AGlUCULlUHE

bull

bull

FWLUE -IlIl1lh llslti ill 1l101l1itillg liller bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

41 A ITDY OF THl~ QtALITY UF ABACA IBEH

bull

bull

bull lHlItmiddot --1IllllI111l1l1 rut IIHtIIIiIl~ till (III~~~(li(lllal tlna or yallIH lIHlll ill

ulJtailll1 tilll dnla

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

-t2 11-(1[1(1 1ll1LLrt 010 [ IlEIT ()F ltlWlIIlIlE

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

43

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF rilE QUALITY OF ABACA lBER

10 lesist destruction the specimen must be capable of absorbing energy imparted to it upon stless application and of releasing this eneLgy upon remolll of the stess without the occurrence of failure Fibel~ on fiblr abrasion Rubj(ct to two different degrees of stress as made llse of by the SS twist (along the fiber) and the SZ twist (across the fiber) appears to have advantages for testing cordage fibels

Abrasion tests were obtained on a modified Schiefer machine figures f) and 10 rhe specimens of hand-made yarns were mounted on movshyable bars (a and b) by means of two pins (0) As one bar (a) moved clown the other (0) movld up and vice versa A five pound weight (d) was suspended from tIll other end of each yam by a similar pail of pins onll flat metal strap (f) whith was connected to the weight by a wire cable (j) The metal strap was hel(l in position by a guide (g)

FlOURI lO-lPlll1 half of nlllnioll IlIlWliillP showin ccccntric mechanIsm Hnt flbcl mounting

nctinlted by the movement of the stmp and supported by ball bearshyings ltIt) to avoid changes of load due to friction The friction bearshyings that guidld th(se straps in the Schiefel machine wele Leplaced in this model by ball bearin~s The cables attached to the weights were IiIso gu idecl by pulleys (~) mounted on ball bearings (j) The pitch to the mountll1g plates (e) was made by incrensing the dinmeter of til( bottom roller guide (i) which gives a pitch inclined 41o to the vertical A metal strip (lc) was placed on each side of the top rod to catch the mounting plate after the fiber bundle 01 yarn breaks Below the weights a hinged plntfrJIIIl (7) is connected jO a miclOswiteh (11) which is in tUln connected to a mercury rehly in the box (n) of figure 10 Vhln a fib(~r bundle breaks the wlig-ht hits the platform closing the tir(uit and shutting 01 the machirie This refinement makes it possible to he the mnclline lulllrillg when not att(nded The number

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

44 n~CHNICAL BULLETIN OOU U S DEPT OF AGRICULlURE

of revolutions is recorded by the connter 9 (0) attached to the movable bar that activates the specimen The machine is run until one of the two bundles of each pail fuils Vhen olle pail is eliminated the number of rpw)lntions is recorded and the machine startlltl again This is lepeated until all samples fail New ones llIay be added as the clthers fail thus keeping the maehine loaded at all times

FLBXURE

Flexibility may be considered the alJility of n fiber to withstand reshylwated bending 01 bowing without rupture If till fibel is pliable the flex life will bl high and (Ol1cIsely if the filJ(middotImiddot is Htiff it will be low Shape and h~xturetH well as the intelnal struetUle of the fiber appeal to be ImpOttallt ehalacteristics in flexibility

The flt~xing muehine waS modified by adding n number of improveshyments The plitHipl(s and genetal form of the Schiefet machine (10) weIe retainlltl and the 1Il0~lifilation conHisted prinlipnlly in Ilfinlshyments of aetion A ilont iew is shown in figme 11 and a side vitmiddot in figure 12 rhe thieknlss of the stationary bill (a) was increased irom one-quartl1 inch to 1 in(h The pulllYs (b) on whi(h thl yarns ae f1lxed (see figure 18 for detail) were each mounted on a shaft extending through the bar The shaft was mounted on two sealed ball lwalings one on each side of the bar This eonstruction reduced the anglllal todion lind gae less friction in the famples The lower bar was also enlarged to gil stahility and to support microswitches (fig 13) fOI each specimln The specimen or yarn was mounted on two sets of hooks (e) as in the Schiefer machine Yhen the yam breaks the weight (r) falls and trips the microswitch stopping the machine The weig It (I) travels up and down along guides (g) which 11111st be kept tlined and luhlieated with gmphite FIi(tion on the glIicles willincrlllse the load on the yarn and cause a differential result bttW(lll positions on the maehine

The altldpd weight of the pads made it 11ecessary to (olllltplbalmee the machine to protect the motor and cut down vibration A COllntelshybaltlll(l (middotight (7) (onneded to a bar (c) by means of a chain (i) equalizes the load 011 the motOl Thl chain is IlIn on two plIIIlYs mounted on ball bearings and coeled by the housing U)

As in the abrasion machine the number of revolutions is leconled hya coutH(middot1 deg () TIll mi(roswit(lls activate a relay in the box (l) mounted on the table

Both thl abtnsion and f1lX mnchiuls are monnted on easters and powered by a nO-volt electric circuit They are simple to operate and can be tUlllld on tnd allowed to run overnight 01 when the operashytors are bww at other wOlk

The flex illncirine as designed gins the best results on hard fibers snell as abatll sisal and hlll((tllen and lIlay not be entirely satisfactory poundomiddot soft fib(Is sHch as flax and htlll p

In prepaling the samples fo mounting on the nbmsion and flex rnachinesit is 1l((PSSlllY to punch two holes in the paper tabs rltlPd to the ends This may bl donl Iilpi(lly ancl easily without changing

bull Pro(uetillletlI Dllrtllt MUIlUIWWrillg (0 Milwllllk(p Vis See footnote S p3U

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

45 A ~TLOY OF TH8 QtALlTY OF ABCA FIB8H

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

46 TECHNICAL BULLETL )00 U S DEPT OF AGHICtLTtHE

bull

bull

l[(llU~ l-Sltll yitW oCll(xill~ Illll(liine bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

47 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBEH

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

48 lECfu~ICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPJ OF AGlHCULTUHE

the twist in the yarn with the special punch developed for this purshypoe (fi~ 7) The tubs can be punched and cut to the appropriute len~th simultaneously Or cun be punched aiteL bein~ glued to the specimen The pUllch is mounted on eithel the ablllsion- or the n(Xshymuchine stand so tllut it it always available H the I1re(lIt tubs tue used it is ne(e85111Y to lISC an epeciall~ designed 11(] with pins to hold the tabs in pluee while glmlllg thlm to the spNimen

TEST DATA

1~xall1phR of t]( Iesistan(( to ablasion and of f1lX life of It nmnber of (orcla~( fibels are ~i(nin table 11) Tlllse clal CI( obtaineltl on IlI(HlifiCd BlIIllllI of Htandalds ablllsion 11IHI flCx 1I111(hill(S as described ill this papel The three hunt fibels abaeu sisal and sansedelilt alld till (Hallld Roft fibel 1pllaf lll Ilta(hilll d(lOIiicated frOll1 ~leln plants the flax was waiel IdtNl and the millie decorticated ~Il(n (Itild and then elllIlkally dl~UIIHlled

Thl hard (jb(Is show valintions in aigtlIsiOIl flom 720 to ()3S)2 and fllx lil( ilolll 1271 to 5fl)7 leollltiollS lwfoll Ill i1I1Il Thl soft fib(llS show about till sallie ariatiol1 in fllx lif( bllt the nlllllblI of 1lolushytiOIlR lHi to Iilmiddot~ Il(ltirld fOI faillll 11( llIueh l(ss in nl( easc of abmsion Thl flax and ramil sllmples wele finN than tIHsanscvielia hiill in tllll1 was fil1l1 than till aha(a and sisal Abrasion and fexIIIC data on tlHS( fUlll 01 lllying- t(xhllc give added infollllation TOt n b(ttC1 understanding of their IISC vdue

TABLl~ 19-Resisial1(eto abra8ion and ji(x life oj mlious cOlda[Jefibers tested on modified machines

Ahrasioll nSiS~II~~-I~I--- (nmiddotvolutions to Flex life

S1I1Ipl( fnilure) nmiddotvolu-Cluss if]ell tioll lind ariely I tions to

failure) SS lwist SZ Iwist I

-bull~

Number Hurd (Ieuf)

s 72a 720 1271 10 13middot1) 1472 l7Sn~i~~t~~=-~ =- =- =~ ========

~lIn(i(ria __ ___ _ bull 10 2 7R2 l8S)2 fl Ol7 Soft (baRt)

](lIaL bullbull ~ _ bullbullbull __ bullbullbull _ 8 2jl 2 25l I ilti7I

lelux _ _ bull bull _ bullbull 20 40middot1 2 (8middot1 1024 Hnlllie bullbull _~ __ __ (j I J(j 302 (j322

~---- - ~ ~---~-- --- --~-- -- -~ ~~~ -~-

11 was found in tlHsC Shl(litR that lach I1l(thod and il1slllIl11lnt IIll1St l)( 1tfitHd to tlH point 1Hlc lt1i IllI(I1(C8 in filJ(Is of the samc Alllelal IHOPlIti(s (1111 b( d(t(tNl It WIIS also 11((lSSalY to 111ak( the metho(ls fllxlble lllough so that usablpmiddot data ftom wi(lely diftlIcnt tn)(s of HblI conld be obtninNl Thl hal(l ](af fibers cannot be bent Rharply withont injury 11lIlas IIll ilOIt bast fib(ls sll(h as flax fail IlHHC hom alilasioll of fib(I Oil filllI than from fhxing- in tlll appall1ll1S uSld hele A loft silky fibel that will blnd shalply docs not leeeive

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF 1HE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER 49

an adequate test in fl(x life bllt lI1ilY be accUlattly evaluated in abrasioll whtIelB a Btiff abaca HUN (an be m(nsllled Oil tilt flex mushychine uut is 1I0t nd((luatelV ttsttd in abl$ion The alHasioll testB nre not fle(~ of flex silHe the bundles of yarns bend a little where they (on tact endl other The low abmsioli-test valutS fOl stitf Hblrs ale thelefole il pOOl index of the true abrasion resistan(e of the poundiber

The improtIIllnts made in these lIla(hints obiously imlpase tlHir t1sefullltSS but the limitation fol m(asuling abllsion and flex life Oil nil nntlllal fibpIs is apparllIt hlttt~l llletlto(l of lIl(nsuring flexibility of soft RbtlS and impIovld methods of measuIillg abmsioll lesistallte of hanl Ji be rs 11( nlNled

DISCLJSSION AND CONCLIJSIOltlS

Reseal(h to imploe existing ul(thods and a search for new and bett(I methods all COHstallt aims of thl fibcr ttchllologists A study of fiber pIoplrtits is IHCPSlillY in order to lt1eterlll iIll the use vnllle of tIw fib(r A proglal1lis ill prOgress to entlllate diflerellces in filwous IlIW rllat(Iial In ordtl to inllIlt tht best possible chamdtlization of tllt fib(I tIl( lIHthods must b( fllgtxiblt ellough to meet the needs for studying a large valiet) of natullll fibers

JmiddotOI vetter understanding and intel)letatioll of tests on the abmsion and tl(xlIle mach i nes SOllle llSlllts on d i tl(tellt types of tibel are showl in Table 19 The abmsion lesistan(e and flex life of a fibet an lIsunlly not it fUll(tioll of libtr strel1th but depend larely 011 the type of poundibN on its shape and on its texture (fineness) wld(h iin tUIll partly influ(neNl by the kind of pro(essing For exalllpl( the hald fih(I sans(i(Iia has gl(ater flex life than (oarsel ahaea und siaI fibtIs Liktwis( anHIlg the soft bast liblls IillPnpss is Wlatest in IHmie amI least in kenaf The flex life follows ill the same general ordel Ablasioll with tltp SZ hist (a(IOSS the fiher) for the hard libelS is eOllelattd with fillel1(Sfl For the soft fibels the fiber haing the lalglst amount of ennusting matelinls gave the longest SZ abluion Ch(mi(al degumming with its tendtIHY to deIade the fiber and fr(e the finer fibels mukts the lal1li( nm(]l less Iesistant to SZ nblluionbmsion with AS twist (ulong tIl(gt lib(l) gives a greater almlltlill slllfaee lnd cons(qllently eonsiderably more tension on tlH fibel bUlldle

FOI the soft fib(ls thelepoundol( the pretreatment of the fiber plays an illlpoltnnt pad in the extcnt to which th(Y ithstand physic-al treatshynwut Ramie although it is one of tIll strOl1lst libelS of the glonp doCs not stand lip too wellundel the SS twist be(ause hen tw exshy(tCdi ngly Ii lie fibpI b(gi IlS to bl(H k reuter fli(t10n is dceloped which oon luptuns tTl( fil)(I strnnds RCnaf It green-processed fiber high in (1l(Iustments and hlittIe and weak clops not stand np Wlll

whpn ubm(Cd with tin AS twist Of tht soft fibers flax withstood the ablasion tests b(-1t lalgel be(ause it wns water-Iettecl a pro((ss whkh 1(aN it fltxible and soft with ypn little dan~ae to tl1( fi bC1

FOI tl1( han1 Hbels thelP was bettpI ahrlsion Ilsishlll(( in th( finer fiber (o1ls( fib(l such as abaca and sisal are 110t subjed to HIess diflplPIHPS as oJtnin(c b (hamdn from SZ to till SS twist to the SHlIll (xt(lI as tlwfin(I IitHIS 1 iiill blcak lip more Ipadil h(l1 (atpl -tIPS is appliptL Xo appalent (oll(lation was found between

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

50 TECHNICAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEP1 OF AGRICULlUHE

strength u1Hllesistunce to abrasion aml tlex life In mchine decorti shycation liS used on hanl fiblr eOllsiderable dalllage may Iestllt flOIll illlplopel atijllstllHnt of the IIIH(hines These tllC factors that am hard to evaluate ill It study of this kind

SU~UIARY

A lIIethod and an insltIIIl(nt for IlllasUling the cross-sectionnl area of bundles of fibers wee developed

The Ilbrasioll machine dlStTibed by Sehiefer WI~S modifipd and a switeh wuS added to (ut the maehine off when a bundle failed

The flexure machine dlselibl() by tehief(l was also modified und microswitches wem installed to cut the machine off when a bundle failed

A puneh was dlwelopld to plepare Ow test speCilllel1S for mounting on th~ testing ma(hines

Data from six sa III plls of fibll Ihlle of htlld fibN and three of soft tiber obtained on the implOed insilllIlIents are 1(podNI

ABACA FlllKR FHOM CENTUAIJ AMEH leA AND THE PHILIPPI~E ISLANDS

GENEIlAI IhCKGI10L)

Prior to the last war eSHl~ntially all of thl abaea fiblI of COl1lmele (Manila hemp) wal ploducell in the Philippine LHlundl The War madl (Ollllll( Iti a I pJa nti ngs ne(ssary in foul Centm I A nWlieH n (01111shy

trils-Panama Costa Uiea HondulHs and GuatllIIala (3) The SCULcity and highlWicl of auaea fiber and the ql1estion of ownership oflandifllllldia(lly after the war rlsl1lted in OVlr halY(sting of sOllie Philippine plantings (5) DivEIsifieaJion of ugritultl1lc in the Philippine Lslands may ndme the a(nagl of fibel plants still fllrther pllItielllarlr in thn Da ao a rla wlllle h igh-ql1al ity fibel was prodl1eed III lillle quantitis bdole the war Sime labor costs W(Ie greater in (1111111 An1lti(a thall in thn ]gthilippilles new metho(ls of (ultl1le hallsting d(oltieution and drying th HblI WlIe dllopld O~ 9)11 lol xall1pl(in (ntlal Anwliea thl so-eallel fa hie abata siC-illS were cut into 4- to (i-foot SNlions and th( d(orticating nlaehill(s (x(tadld fibH from all pOItiolls of Ihe lear slllaths rather than flolH til dorsal sidmiddot onl (the podion llIIIOed in tuxying) as iH the ptadice in the Philippine IslnlHls TIl laspllllol-ilw dltOltieatillg tnaehines I1sed in CllItra I AIIHIiea ext meiNI a h ighll IWr(pntage of filiI I flom tIll plant than is llIstomal) by tIll hand lllethOll IIlNl in tIll lhilippinps

(pntrld AIl1Pliean fibI prot1l1dion is a Ill indl1Htly and pl(spnt some diflielllt probl1IlIS pUIli(lIlad wllln compalisOIl of 1111 fibll with that from (hl Philippines is desimbll

~ll also the following ((tionii of thi llllllltin 111 QlIlllity of ((111111 11I(li(1I n ha1 Fih(r IIR tTlrofell h~ Va lill 10(11shy

til)lllJf flOlIthIOHilillll ill 111111 IInti ~I thod of Drilll (11 A llItly 01 llthotiH If VIllllrillg (1111111 AIIIIilII IJIWII FilIIl )I S

bull

bull

bull

51

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF ~lllE QUALITY OF ABACA FlBEH

Saleeb ([) sumestell II lllCthod of ladin Centml American fiber J ~= eo- that takes into eOllsidellltioll (0101 lind (h~gree of cleanliness His glades were as follows

1 Excellent white to (leam-colored or ochre fibel brushed Excelshylent white to cream-(olored Ol oehel fibel unbrushed

2 Strellky fibel b1llsll(d SII(aky fiber unllLllshed 3 BIowlI 01 hig-hly (ololed fiber blmiddotushed BlOwn 01 highly colored

pound11)(r unblllshell The lnbuh(gt(( fiber was that dll(oLticated and dried withollt further

trelltnwnt wh(Ieas the brushed libel re(eived It blllllishing treatl1l(nt aft (gti paHsing thloug-h the dryer Later the madline-ltieeoltilated fiber in (entral ArnCgtlica was sePalated into foul g-mlies lhis glaliing Iws PIo(d to bp 1110le p1tl(t)(Hllhan that used rn marketIng the hand ~llipped Philippine fib(gtl

)fol(gt 1(((11 tIy the- Ofliel of Production of till UeeonstluCtion Fi na nee (Olpollltion haH estnblisll(d 11(1 stanclanls for g-mding Centllll AmershyilllIl aba(a

The fi(~ ]Hineiplll grades (Re~ision No2 Dee 17 1948) are us follows

1 SIIII(llol (0101 -vcry Iigllt iY(lIY to dull white lengtll usuully 1I00IIIUI llpllO i II goo

(11111 (01(11 dull 111111( to i(IIImiddot IInll ligllt OlIItI S()I1IPtiIlIlS witll n IY Iigllt gl(11 01 ~plloll tillgl Itngllt liIHllI~ lIilllIlll (1(1 lIing good

3 Gool (0101 light (wilpl to iIOIT 811111(lillllS willi 1 lI~ light 11(gt(gt11 otmiddot YlJlow tingl I(ng-III 1I11IlIly 1101111111 (IIlIillg gooll

1 StlPllky (OIIW IlJiXII light II(IIPI Illltlor Iig-Itt glCCIl lull plIIJlll 01 r(ltI Itngtlt 1II0lt to nOllllal ClllIIillg gOOd

ii nrowlI (0101 lIIiXpl dillg to light nml (lark hrown or rcl ICllgth sholmiddott (1p1 nill1 fail

TIl (0101 of til(gt dC(olti(ai(d aba(a dCpllHls largely on the loltashytion of the shlath from whi(h thl pound111(1 is Cxtladed and mll~es fmlll dark brown in till Ollt(l sll(atlu to whitt in the inlWlll1ost sheaths

TIll strCaky and OCillI fibcmiddotJs W(~le found I~ on the aV(Iag-l to b( strmiddotong-(gtst thl Iwowll IIIl1 (ICanl-(o]oJNI pound11)(18 intlrll1ediatlgt and the whit( fibll llllll the ((gtnt(l of th( plant till (akest Th(~ fiJWI stlNlgth ilHl(usld IlpwHl(l from th( bast of the plant for II short lt1iHan(( and th(1l d((I(ased towal(]s the top In sholl stllnted plants lI1ln was PIY littll of th( sllong- fibpI bllt ill tIl(gt tall wllI-deploJwd plants tlul( waH a P())011(lpoundIall(( of strong- fiI)(I Little 01 nO difflIshy(11(l wa~ fOllnd htl((ll tlll fibpI dried by nil maehine method and that dlie(] in till SUII

In a stud of 1l1(tholtlH of c-l(nning- 13 01( hngotan-stlipped fiber was gtToIHpoundIthnll thl llwehinp-d(tOItitalld IiblI Tlw (lifflIlII((S lre uitliblllC(1 (a) to diflplpoundIlCCS ill fin( StTUttlll of thl Iibtl as shown by X-rays alld l b) to injuIies to til(gt pound1blI by III( Iaspadol-type mashyehiIH In lIlllal the shpng-th of the nUllhine-pIolilleed pound11)p1 was S0l11lWhilt l(mCI thiln that pl()(hl(NI from ilililal plant by the hngoshytan l11Cthod The yield of fibll from the ma(hine method was poundrom

C S(gtt (ltIioll in tlli hllilprin (Ill Til QIlIIlito of (11111111 AIIl(Ii(llnAhllclI Fillel as AtTt(tp(l hI nliptr LOlItioll of OlOlItll Ioltitioll ill [IIInt IIIHI Mtgtnlod of Ilryin P-I

J3 SlP S(tillll ill tllis hllliltill 011 A Htlltly of Jlttllt)(l of (Il1l1ll1g (IIt11I1 AIIl(gtIj shy(1111 hHH blhil (I -I

52 lECHNICAL BULLElfX nn9 u s DEP1 Of AGlUCULlUHE

o~-thild morc to approximafely twice as IIIllch as that obtained from thehagotllll methoil

The studiesrepOlttCl lHIe lle conducted in order to compare the physical plOpelti(s of the C(ntml Amelican abaca with those obshytained from the Philippine fiber Samples were taken from Philipshypine fibet leetiYed before and since th( war and from Central AmershylClln fibet during and immediately after the Will The samples from wllr-time proc1uetion were taken before the gllldin~ system was illshynU~llrated The (entllll AllllriCan abaca fibel was ~raded as to color nnd c1ellnliness according to Saleeby~s method (9)

MATERIALS AND ~hTlIODS

Abaca is one of the sttollgest fibers known in commerce Like nIl natllllll fiblls it varies in stl~ngth and other properties with origin plocessing heatm(nt and age after harvest It was not fellsible to obtain slullpies IIOIll C(ntml Americll Ilnd the Jgthilippines that were frlown and cleanld in the same way nOr wnsit possible to know the date of hlllvest of all the samples l~he Philippine fiber samples were flllnished by the Boston Nmd Shipyard Boston )las along with sample Ll F from Centml Ameriltl [11(Y are listed by grade and SOllie of them may be identified by location of growth The Central AmeriClln samples were obtained by the senior author at the plantations (3) with the (oopemtioll of the Reconstruction Finance Corpomtion and the Tnitld ljruit Company

The methods mwd in obtaining the data have been described elseshywhele (10) Y The results giveil here represent averages of 10 or mOle obslrvations for each test Approximately JOinclividual tests were made on most of the sumples

Knotmiddot tr(nths and fin(IlPS were not c(terminld for the stllnphs obtained flon) prewar stoCks

llEscrTs

On tIlP avera~e pIlwal Philippinl abaCll fibI waS found to bemiddot about Hi IWIC(nl stmilfrl than thl Clntllll American fibll froduetd during Wodd Wal 11 (table W) Individual samples of the Cpnillll AmlIshyielll fibN Irom Panama and Costa Riea were stronger however thiln the sumple of ~rade 1 Philippine fibel from tIle prewar producshytion Thl different samples within tht same ~rac1e vtrild appreshyciably in physieal properties consequlntly tIl( alues given in this papel should be considered for the partieular sample tested rather than as representative of the grade 01 typeof fiber

Thl resistanee to abrasion waS greater for the SZ twist (aclmiddotoS the fibll) than fol the SS twist (along the fiber) fOl both types of fibel The vnllles obtninld ill the abrasion tests vaJipd widllv flOlll sample to sample in each lot rhe same was tllle fOl the flex life bllt there waS a tnndcor the samples with fim fiber to hnve a greater fltx life than thos(~ with (oan( libel

Salllples (olNted Ilom postwar plOduetion both in the Philippines and Clntml Alllerica vttLied iclelyin s~rength and othll pIoperties

~l( [10 H(tiOI1 ill till hll1etin Oil TIl111Impt] Lptillg )lHehlllPs for StlHlyshyiug (Oltlnge Hnd Olhet Long -egetabk Fibers p 38

bull

bull

bull

53 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER

but in general the Philippine fiber WIlS superior to the Central Amershy

bull

bull

bull

iCIl~l Samples from the vatious grades of brushed uncI unbrushed fiber ptodulted in Panama since- the WIll (tables 21 and 22) show stronger fibel than the postwar Philippine samples (table 23) Some of the Centllll Ameliclln samples were lower in strength however than the better samples of postwar PhjJippine fiber

lAIlLE 20-Fiber stren[Jth resistance to abrasion and flex life oj 6 smnples oj Central American and S grades oj Philippine abaca fiber I

I Fibllr Abrasion resistshystrength ~nce (revlu- Fle)(

Sample (pounds lIOns to failure) hfe number per - (revolu-Place of growth Orade

SqUIHl SS SZ llOIS toineh) flulure)

twist twist -_ --- I

Punall1a ______ bull _____ ~ ________ middot109 663 I4010 12 U31 852 Guutemahl________ _____ bull __ SU732 1389 2156 1041Gostu Ricll (Good bull _______ 99388 1 722 1 798 535

Hope) jHonduras __________ l_ __ __ i 72893 1374 4412 312 Central Amlmiddotricu_____ Averuge SO9middotW 465 745Philippines ____ ____ I~ bullbull 103 middot155 l1U I 2 576 597Philippines_ _______ L __ 02500 2421 2670 I 623 Philippirlls bullbullbull ____ 1 1_____ 119541 i 1097 1890 I 864

-~-- - ---_____bull __bull _ bull~______l___

1 Centrlll Alllerilan samples produced during World War II those from the Philippilles before the war

lAI3LE 21-fiiber strength le8i~l(UlCe to abrasion and flex life oj S wades oj ma(inl-decorlicated abaca fiber from tlte Clwn[Juinola Valley Panamcpound 10G crop

I IResiiltance to Fine-Fiber not IIbrnsion (rev- l1essFlex

slnn~th slren~thl olutions to (numshylife(1000 (1000 faIlure) ber of (revo-Fiber grndcs Jlounds pounds fiberslutionsper per pertosquare square stand-SS j SZ failure)inch) inch) anItwist twist bundle I) ------ I

First elass brushed excelshylent ~rnd)_ ___________ 1003 1)0 556 1806 7191 20 First class unbrushed exshycellent ~rnde __________ l G 170 1270 1104 707 20 I3rushed streaky grade___ 74 (i 21 7 I 4~ I middot178 1207 26 rnbruslwd ~trellky grade_ 5) (i 15 S a4a 121)3 1 763 23 Unshed browlI grude 67 S lU3 Ol i 557 4U) 23 lnbrushcd hrown grnde Uol5 20 0 I aO1 I 225 1052 I 2j

I I 15 inches long und weighing 325 milligrnms

------

--

54 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPP OF AGRICULTURE

lABLE 22-Fiber stre~gth lesistice to abmsion and flex life of 3 [tades oj hagotan-stnpped abaca jiber jrom the Changwuwla Valley Panama 1946 crop bull

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot nessabrasion (rey-

Flexolutions to (1000 (1000 failure) life bel of

strength strength (numshy(revo-Fiber grades pounds pounds fiberslutionsper PCI PCItosquare square stand-SS I SZ failure)ineh) ineh) arcltwist twist bundle I)

---Brown__________________ 75 3 170 672 646 983 19Streaky___________ --____ 778 182 415 778 706 16White __________________ 69 1 169 584 1 2)4 middot156 2o

I 15 inches long lind weighing 325 milligrams

lAlHg 23-liiber 8tlenyth resistance to abrasion and flex life of 9 grades oj abac(poundjibeJjrom tILe Philippine islands lJOStW(Ul)rocLuction 1

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot abrasion (rev- ness

strength strength olutions to Flex (numshy(1000 (1000 failure) life bel of (revo-Fiber grades paulich pounds fibers

~------~ lutions PCI per per

i square square to stand_SS SZ failure) bullinch) inch) nrdtwist twist bundle 2)

DaCReG Davao______ - 521 135 332 I 132 225 29 I TFEAI Tabaco NAlbny ________ bull _______ 772 204 765 146(j 1005 47 H DaKCIT Davao______ 77 2 23 1 I 180 784 655 22 K DaCRCK Davao_____ 758 185 331) 636 Ci67 25 I DIIKCI Davao _______ 770 196 420 4)3 516 28 S2 DaKC82 Davao ______ 762 U 6 297 1071 729 25 F TOIlKAF TiagnollS CIIm _______________ 812 228 395 4964 866 50 J 1 Da(~RCJI Dayao_____ 748 165 768 1 ll8 760 37 J 2 MDMACJ2 Dayao___ 77 7 187 876 1076 4)2 22

i I

I This fiber was presumably hand cleaned 2 15 inches 10llg and weighing 325 milligrams

The light fiber designated excellent grade was strongest among the machine-cleaned samples whereas the streaky fiber as strongest among the samples from Panama cleaned by the hagotan method (tables 21 and 22) In general the hugbtlln-stripped fiber frol11 Central America was about equal in strength to the fiber from the Philippine Islands The machine-cleaned snmple from Pa1lluna was above ilvemge strength for fiber prodmed in lither area and would bull appeal to represent mOJc leady the type of nber harvested ill the Philippines before the war

55

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY 01lt ABACA FIBlltJR

Generally the knot streJlgths were closely related to the fiber trengths but the brushed streaky grade mentioned in table 21 and grades lfand S~ from Davao (table 23) showed greater knot strength 011111 expected from their fiber strengths

The data in table 21 indicate that the finer the fiber from Panama (numbCl or stlllllds per bundle) the grellter the resiStance to ublllsion with the SS twist and the greuter the flex life Conversely the courser the flber the greater the resistance to abrasion with the SZ twist The Panall1ll fiuer is lllUCh coarser in texture and shows less valiiltion in physicu I PloPNties than tho Philippine fiber (table 23)

The Phi Iippine fl be t had a tendency to give greater resistance to abtasion with the is twist in the cOurser fibers The finer fiber gltve gllaieI resistunce to llbrasion with the SZ twist In geneml howevcr the finel the Philippine fibel~ the greater the Hex life

DISCUSSION ND CONCLUSIONS

The fillll sirengths or the pnWlll Philippine fibel testld were on t Ill It vemg( gleutel than those or the Centra I Alllerican abaca fiber The slllngths of the postwar samples 110m tlll two )Olatiom arc neady tIll SIll lie Othe) studies J indieated that the hagotanshystriPPl-ti fib(l f101l1 silJlilar plants was usually stronger than the malhinc-dl(oltieate( fibll The Philippine fiber llsed in these tests was no doubt hand-stripped Hue I particularly that from the postwar ploductioll and shoullt1 bl Nlulll to or Letter than the hagotan-stripped fiber trom the same type of phnt

An eallill study 10 showed that tall plants gLown under full shade IHoduCed stlOngel fibe) than stunted plants frol11 overharvested fields The sal1lples of l l hilippine fiuer IULlvestecl before the WIll seem to lepresent the uettel types of growth whereas the fiber harvestedllfter the wal may have ueen adversely affeeted by the overharvesting practiced thell ill nlost an-as of the Philippines If the low llues outained from lurlent SlllllpllS of the lgthi1ippine fiber is due to overshyhnlesting the Centml lJIelican fiber although cleaned by the laSpadOl ll1aehille liMY even under present hnrvesting conditions be Nlslntially equal 01 peLlmps snpelior to that being received from the Philippin(s

If a supply of ullusually strong fiber is needed for specific pmposes it llIay be obtained from (entml AnwliCa by segl(gnting the lower sections of the plant from the top secrions If the best quality of libel is desill-d care must be exercised in growing the plants and cIt-anillg thl fiber in both Ilreas

The blllsll(lt1 fib() flom each gmde was stronger than the unbrushed but no (onsistCllt lelatiol1ships existed between the other properties and the blllshing tleatmellt III general thefilHl the libel is the greater is the flex life~ and vice versa Additional data will be required befole relationships can be established between the other fiber propelties

See section in this hlllptill 011 A Study of IenlOds of Oleaning Central AlllPlican A1JlH1l l~ih(I p 28

I Sp( gtldion in this blllJptill (In 11w Qlllllit~ of (elltllll American Abaca Fiber as Aff((tl(i h~ VUlilt L()(Hli()n of (IlIwth 11Iliithll ill Plant Hlld i[ethl(l of Drying 11 4

56 lEC1-rNLCAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPl OF AGRICULlURE

LITERATURE CITED

(1) r~IRLImiddot E E IDH4 (~ltr[N PHYSICAL AND STHUCTUltAT lROPEIITlES OF TJImE sp~cms OF

gtOl11lIEltN Y~JI_OW lINt COImIAnD WI1l1 IHI~ CO~IPIlESSION S1llf~NUIH Ot lHIWt WOOf) Ann ~Io llot GU(lells 21 241-al8 illus

(2) lH(I l1I()(lUESS HEPOlll ON rIUP TO ABACA PLNr1IONS OF C~NlIIAL AhUJIICI shy

~IAY t2 10 JUN~ ()10411 Slut to R(collstl Finance Corp on JIIr 11) IHU r pp illus [lroeessed]

(3) EUAIUlS H 1 1l4bullbull lIlE lNTIIODUCIION m BACA (MANIIA H~)~lP) INTO lng WESlEItN

lIIylSlEmHE~ Smiths Jnst Itpt 194 327-3GO illus (4) bull --- II 11( HM~EIIY M 11

lBO-I AIIACA D1ANILA It E_ll 1 bull Dppt Iut Hmmiddot PhillPllil1e AgImiddot Furmers Enl 12 31) PII illus (H(iwll 1010)

(5) --- SMI~lmY 11 M IIn( YouNumml S 1l-17 OIIlOOK mn lUlrIPPINg IIAC I Cord Age llag 47 5--68

(0) ESPINO It B llllibullIIACA fo(flI~Il The Philippine Agr alld I~ollstel 4 200-21(1 illus

(7) ------- 11IIcl ESUUI~ltIt_ I~ ID3 O~lPAltA1ln STUDY In nmns PItOIlJO~) BY SIX VAltnlmS OJ ABACA

WllBX HIIOWN IN LOS llANOS rhe Philippine AI-(I 13 1-l1--[12JII Ills

(8) Hu[Jlullmm V J 11)15 lIuellNICS OF AllItASION 0] TgXTILE lI[ATEUTALS Textile Res Jour

Hi 1ll-177 illus (D) HAUEIlY M ~I

1)middot1U_ ImIOllT ON INSlECIION OF nVE C~NnIAr AJI[EIIICAN ABACA PlIomcrs ~fAY ~l-JUN~ 14 lHfJ Atlrlrpsspc to ~[r (hal(S A Joshs Hp(onstl llinHnce (middotorp Julle 28 H14(1 6 IJJl [Lrocesspd]

(10) SCHIEmn H F 11-l-l ~[tIIINI-S AND ~mlHOlJS FOil TESlING ColllJAm FlmIIS [U S] Nat

Bul Standards JOUl Res 33 315-339 Illus (11) TmoNA M

11)32 1I11- 1ltrAllfLIlY 01 nNSILI SlIENUlH OF C01BmIlCIAfbullbullBAOA FIlllms OF Tin SAJlm OIUGIN IN lH~ PSEunOSTElI( Philippine JOIlI Sci 48 2-13-250

(12) 1D12 TUg INnnNCI OF rIn PfnIOll OF Am IIllYINpound ON IHf SJIIfoNGrH m

~IlAt FIIlEH Philippill( TOlllmiddot SCi 48 237-41

bull

bull

U S GQYIRNMENT PHINTHIG OFfiCE 1949

Jor sale by the SUIIlr1l1tNllItul of Dormnellls ( S 00-(11l1l1elll ldulingOllicQ Wl~~hlllglUU 25 D O bull lricc 20 cents bull

52 lECHNICAL BULLElfX nn9 u s DEP1 Of AGlUCULlUHE

o~-thild morc to approximafely twice as IIIllch as that obtained from thehagotllll methoil

The studiesrepOlttCl lHIe lle conducted in order to compare the physical plOpelti(s of the C(ntml Amelican abaca with those obshytained from the Philippine fiber Samples were taken from Philipshypine fibet leetiYed before and since th( war and from Central AmershylClln fibet during and immediately after the Will The samples from wllr-time proc1uetion were taken before the gllldin~ system was illshynU~llrated The (entllll AllllriCan abaca fibel was ~raded as to color nnd c1ellnliness according to Saleeby~s method (9)

MATERIALS AND ~hTlIODS

Abaca is one of the sttollgest fibers known in commerce Like nIl natllllll fiblls it varies in stl~ngth and other properties with origin plocessing heatm(nt and age after harvest It was not fellsible to obtain slullpies IIOIll C(ntml Americll Ilnd the Jgthilippines that were frlown and cleanld in the same way nOr wnsit possible to know the date of hlllvest of all the samples l~he Philippine fiber samples were flllnished by the Boston Nmd Shipyard Boston )las along with sample Ll F from Centml Ameriltl [11(Y are listed by grade and SOllie of them may be identified by location of growth The Central AmeriClln samples were obtained by the senior author at the plantations (3) with the (oopemtioll of the Reconstruction Finance Corpomtion and the Tnitld ljruit Company

The methods mwd in obtaining the data have been described elseshywhele (10) Y The results giveil here represent averages of 10 or mOle obslrvations for each test Approximately JOinclividual tests were made on most of the sumples

Knotmiddot tr(nths and fin(IlPS were not c(terminld for the stllnphs obtained flon) prewar stoCks

llEscrTs

On tIlP avera~e pIlwal Philippinl abaCll fibI waS found to bemiddot about Hi IWIC(nl stmilfrl than thl Clntllll American fibll froduetd during Wodd Wal 11 (table W) Individual samples of the Cpnillll AmlIshyielll fibN Irom Panama and Costa Riea were stronger however thiln the sumple of ~rade 1 Philippine fibel from tIle prewar producshytion Thl different samples within tht same ~rac1e vtrild appreshyciably in physieal properties consequlntly tIl( alues given in this papel should be considered for the partieular sample tested rather than as representative of the grade 01 typeof fiber

Thl resistanee to abrasion waS greater for the SZ twist (aclmiddotoS the fibll) than fol the SS twist (along the fiber) fOl both types of fibel The vnllles obtninld ill the abrasion tests vaJipd widllv flOlll sample to sample in each lot rhe same was tllle fOl the flex life bllt there waS a tnndcor the samples with fim fiber to hnve a greater fltx life than thos(~ with (oan( libel

Salllples (olNted Ilom postwar plOduetion both in the Philippines and Clntml Alllerica vttLied iclelyin s~rength and othll pIoperties

~l( [10 H(tiOI1 ill till hll1etin Oil TIl111Impt] Lptillg )lHehlllPs for StlHlyshyiug (Oltlnge Hnd Olhet Long -egetabk Fibers p 38

bull

bull

bull

53 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER

but in general the Philippine fiber WIlS superior to the Central Amershy

bull

bull

bull

iCIl~l Samples from the vatious grades of brushed uncI unbrushed fiber ptodulted in Panama since- the WIll (tables 21 and 22) show stronger fibel than the postwar Philippine samples (table 23) Some of the Centllll Ameliclln samples were lower in strength however than the better samples of postwar PhjJippine fiber

lAIlLE 20-Fiber stren[Jth resistance to abrasion and flex life oj 6 smnples oj Central American and S grades oj Philippine abaca fiber I

I Fibllr Abrasion resistshystrength ~nce (revlu- Fle)(

Sample (pounds lIOns to failure) hfe number per - (revolu-Place of growth Orade

SqUIHl SS SZ llOIS toineh) flulure)

twist twist -_ --- I

Punall1a ______ bull _____ ~ ________ middot109 663 I4010 12 U31 852 Guutemahl________ _____ bull __ SU732 1389 2156 1041Gostu Ricll (Good bull _______ 99388 1 722 1 798 535

Hope) jHonduras __________ l_ __ __ i 72893 1374 4412 312 Central Amlmiddotricu_____ Averuge SO9middotW 465 745Philippines ____ ____ I~ bullbull 103 middot155 l1U I 2 576 597Philippines_ _______ L __ 02500 2421 2670 I 623 Philippirlls bullbullbull ____ 1 1_____ 119541 i 1097 1890 I 864

-~-- - ---_____bull __bull _ bull~______l___

1 Centrlll Alllerilan samples produced during World War II those from the Philippilles before the war

lAI3LE 21-fiiber strength le8i~l(UlCe to abrasion and flex life oj S wades oj ma(inl-decorlicated abaca fiber from tlte Clwn[Juinola Valley Panamcpound 10G crop

I IResiiltance to Fine-Fiber not IIbrnsion (rev- l1essFlex

slnn~th slren~thl olutions to (numshylife(1000 (1000 faIlure) ber of (revo-Fiber grndcs Jlounds pounds fiberslutionsper per pertosquare square stand-SS j SZ failure)inch) inch) anItwist twist bundle I) ------ I

First elass brushed excelshylent ~rnd)_ ___________ 1003 1)0 556 1806 7191 20 First class unbrushed exshycellent ~rnde __________ l G 170 1270 1104 707 20 I3rushed streaky grade___ 74 (i 21 7 I 4~ I middot178 1207 26 rnbruslwd ~trellky grade_ 5) (i 15 S a4a 121)3 1 763 23 Unshed browlI grude 67 S lU3 Ol i 557 4U) 23 lnbrushcd hrown grnde Uol5 20 0 I aO1 I 225 1052 I 2j

I I 15 inches long und weighing 325 milligrnms

------

--

54 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPP OF AGRICULTURE

lABLE 22-Fiber stre~gth lesistice to abmsion and flex life of 3 [tades oj hagotan-stnpped abaca jiber jrom the Changwuwla Valley Panama 1946 crop bull

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot nessabrasion (rey-

Flexolutions to (1000 (1000 failure) life bel of

strength strength (numshy(revo-Fiber grades pounds pounds fiberslutionsper PCI PCItosquare square stand-SS I SZ failure)ineh) ineh) arcltwist twist bundle I)

---Brown__________________ 75 3 170 672 646 983 19Streaky___________ --____ 778 182 415 778 706 16White __________________ 69 1 169 584 1 2)4 middot156 2o

I 15 inches long lind weighing 325 milligrams

lAlHg 23-liiber 8tlenyth resistance to abrasion and flex life of 9 grades oj abac(poundjibeJjrom tILe Philippine islands lJOStW(Ul)rocLuction 1

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot abrasion (rev- ness

strength strength olutions to Flex (numshy(1000 (1000 failure) life bel of (revo-Fiber grades paulich pounds fibers

~------~ lutions PCI per per

i square square to stand_SS SZ failure) bullinch) inch) nrdtwist twist bundle 2)

DaCReG Davao______ - 521 135 332 I 132 225 29 I TFEAI Tabaco NAlbny ________ bull _______ 772 204 765 146(j 1005 47 H DaKCIT Davao______ 77 2 23 1 I 180 784 655 22 K DaCRCK Davao_____ 758 185 331) 636 Ci67 25 I DIIKCI Davao _______ 770 196 420 4)3 516 28 S2 DaKC82 Davao ______ 762 U 6 297 1071 729 25 F TOIlKAF TiagnollS CIIm _______________ 812 228 395 4964 866 50 J 1 Da(~RCJI Dayao_____ 748 165 768 1 ll8 760 37 J 2 MDMACJ2 Dayao___ 77 7 187 876 1076 4)2 22

i I

I This fiber was presumably hand cleaned 2 15 inches 10llg and weighing 325 milligrams

The light fiber designated excellent grade was strongest among the machine-cleaned samples whereas the streaky fiber as strongest among the samples from Panama cleaned by the hagotan method (tables 21 and 22) In general the hugbtlln-stripped fiber frol11 Central America was about equal in strength to the fiber from the Philippine Islands The machine-cleaned snmple from Pa1lluna was above ilvemge strength for fiber prodmed in lither area and would bull appeal to represent mOJc leady the type of nber harvested ill the Philippines before the war

55

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY 01lt ABACA FIBlltJR

Generally the knot streJlgths were closely related to the fiber trengths but the brushed streaky grade mentioned in table 21 and grades lfand S~ from Davao (table 23) showed greater knot strength 011111 expected from their fiber strengths

The data in table 21 indicate that the finer the fiber from Panama (numbCl or stlllllds per bundle) the grellter the resiStance to ublllsion with the SS twist and the greuter the flex life Conversely the courser the flber the greater the resistance to abrasion with the SZ twist The Panall1ll fiuer is lllUCh coarser in texture and shows less valiiltion in physicu I PloPNties than tho Philippine fiber (table 23)

The Phi Iippine fl be t had a tendency to give greater resistance to abtasion with the is twist in the cOurser fibers The finer fiber gltve gllaieI resistunce to llbrasion with the SZ twist In geneml howevcr the finel the Philippine fibel~ the greater the Hex life

DISCUSSION ND CONCLUSIONS

The fillll sirengths or the pnWlll Philippine fibel testld were on t Ill It vemg( gleutel than those or the Centra I Alllerican abaca fiber The slllngths of the postwar samples 110m tlll two )Olatiom arc neady tIll SIll lie Othe) studies J indieated that the hagotanshystriPPl-ti fib(l f101l1 silJlilar plants was usually stronger than the malhinc-dl(oltieate( fibll The Philippine fiber llsed in these tests was no doubt hand-stripped Hue I particularly that from the postwar ploductioll and shoullt1 bl Nlulll to or Letter than the hagotan-stripped fiber trom the same type of phnt

An eallill study 10 showed that tall plants gLown under full shade IHoduCed stlOngel fibe) than stunted plants frol11 overharvested fields The sal1lples of l l hilippine fiuer IULlvestecl before the WIll seem to lepresent the uettel types of growth whereas the fiber harvestedllfter the wal may have ueen adversely affeeted by the overharvesting practiced thell ill nlost an-as of the Philippines If the low llues outained from lurlent SlllllpllS of the lgthi1ippine fiber is due to overshyhnlesting the Centml lJIelican fiber although cleaned by the laSpadOl ll1aehille liMY even under present hnrvesting conditions be Nlslntially equal 01 peLlmps snpelior to that being received from the Philippin(s

If a supply of ullusually strong fiber is needed for specific pmposes it llIay be obtained from (entml AnwliCa by segl(gnting the lower sections of the plant from the top secrions If the best quality of libel is desill-d care must be exercised in growing the plants and cIt-anillg thl fiber in both Ilreas

The blllsll(lt1 fib() flom each gmde was stronger than the unbrushed but no (onsistCllt lelatiol1ships existed between the other properties and the blllshing tleatmellt III general thefilHl the libel is the greater is the flex life~ and vice versa Additional data will be required befole relationships can be established between the other fiber propelties

See section in this hlllptill 011 A Study of IenlOds of Oleaning Central AlllPlican A1JlH1l l~ih(I p 28

I Sp( gtldion in this blllJptill (In 11w Qlllllit~ of (elltllll American Abaca Fiber as Aff((tl(i h~ VUlilt L()(Hli()n of (IlIwth 11Iliithll ill Plant Hlld i[ethl(l of Drying 11 4

56 lEC1-rNLCAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPl OF AGRICULlURE

LITERATURE CITED

(1) r~IRLImiddot E E IDH4 (~ltr[N PHYSICAL AND STHUCTUltAT lROPEIITlES OF TJImE sp~cms OF

gtOl11lIEltN Y~JI_OW lINt COImIAnD WI1l1 IHI~ CO~IPIlESSION S1llf~NUIH Ot lHIWt WOOf) Ann ~Io llot GU(lells 21 241-al8 illus

(2) lH(I l1I()(lUESS HEPOlll ON rIUP TO ABACA PLNr1IONS OF C~NlIIAL AhUJIICI shy

~IAY t2 10 JUN~ ()10411 Slut to R(collstl Finance Corp on JIIr 11) IHU r pp illus [lroeessed]

(3) EUAIUlS H 1 1l4bullbull lIlE lNTIIODUCIION m BACA (MANIIA H~)~lP) INTO lng WESlEItN

lIIylSlEmHE~ Smiths Jnst Itpt 194 327-3GO illus (4) bull --- II 11( HM~EIIY M 11

lBO-I AIIACA D1ANILA It E_ll 1 bull Dppt Iut Hmmiddot PhillPllil1e AgImiddot Furmers Enl 12 31) PII illus (H(iwll 1010)

(5) --- SMI~lmY 11 M IIn( YouNumml S 1l-17 OIIlOOK mn lUlrIPPINg IIAC I Cord Age llag 47 5--68

(0) ESPINO It B llllibullIIACA fo(flI~Il The Philippine Agr alld I~ollstel 4 200-21(1 illus

(7) ------- 11IIcl ESUUI~ltIt_ I~ ID3 O~lPAltA1ln STUDY In nmns PItOIlJO~) BY SIX VAltnlmS OJ ABACA

WllBX HIIOWN IN LOS llANOS rhe Philippine AI-(I 13 1-l1--[12JII Ills

(8) Hu[Jlullmm V J 11)15 lIuellNICS OF AllItASION 0] TgXTILE lI[ATEUTALS Textile Res Jour

Hi 1ll-177 illus (D) HAUEIlY M ~I

1)middot1U_ ImIOllT ON INSlECIION OF nVE C~NnIAr AJI[EIIICAN ABACA PlIomcrs ~fAY ~l-JUN~ 14 lHfJ Atlrlrpsspc to ~[r (hal(S A Joshs Hp(onstl llinHnce (middotorp Julle 28 H14(1 6 IJJl [Lrocesspd]

(10) SCHIEmn H F 11-l-l ~[tIIINI-S AND ~mlHOlJS FOil TESlING ColllJAm FlmIIS [U S] Nat

Bul Standards JOUl Res 33 315-339 Illus (11) TmoNA M

11)32 1I11- 1ltrAllfLIlY 01 nNSILI SlIENUlH OF C01BmIlCIAfbullbullBAOA FIlllms OF Tin SAJlm OIUGIN IN lH~ PSEunOSTElI( Philippine JOIlI Sci 48 2-13-250

(12) 1D12 TUg INnnNCI OF rIn PfnIOll OF Am IIllYINpound ON IHf SJIIfoNGrH m

~IlAt FIIlEH Philippill( TOlllmiddot SCi 48 237-41

bull

bull

U S GQYIRNMENT PHINTHIG OFfiCE 1949

Jor sale by the SUIIlr1l1tNllItul of Dormnellls ( S 00-(11l1l1elll ldulingOllicQ Wl~~hlllglUU 25 D O bull lricc 20 cents bull

53 A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF ABACA FIBER

but in general the Philippine fiber WIlS superior to the Central Amershy

bull

bull

bull

iCIl~l Samples from the vatious grades of brushed uncI unbrushed fiber ptodulted in Panama since- the WIll (tables 21 and 22) show stronger fibel than the postwar Philippine samples (table 23) Some of the Centllll Ameliclln samples were lower in strength however than the better samples of postwar PhjJippine fiber

lAIlLE 20-Fiber stren[Jth resistance to abrasion and flex life oj 6 smnples oj Central American and S grades oj Philippine abaca fiber I

I Fibllr Abrasion resistshystrength ~nce (revlu- Fle)(

Sample (pounds lIOns to failure) hfe number per - (revolu-Place of growth Orade

SqUIHl SS SZ llOIS toineh) flulure)

twist twist -_ --- I

Punall1a ______ bull _____ ~ ________ middot109 663 I4010 12 U31 852 Guutemahl________ _____ bull __ SU732 1389 2156 1041Gostu Ricll (Good bull _______ 99388 1 722 1 798 535

Hope) jHonduras __________ l_ __ __ i 72893 1374 4412 312 Central Amlmiddotricu_____ Averuge SO9middotW 465 745Philippines ____ ____ I~ bullbull 103 middot155 l1U I 2 576 597Philippines_ _______ L __ 02500 2421 2670 I 623 Philippirlls bullbullbull ____ 1 1_____ 119541 i 1097 1890 I 864

-~-- - ---_____bull __bull _ bull~______l___

1 Centrlll Alllerilan samples produced during World War II those from the Philippilles before the war

lAI3LE 21-fiiber strength le8i~l(UlCe to abrasion and flex life oj S wades oj ma(inl-decorlicated abaca fiber from tlte Clwn[Juinola Valley Panamcpound 10G crop

I IResiiltance to Fine-Fiber not IIbrnsion (rev- l1essFlex

slnn~th slren~thl olutions to (numshylife(1000 (1000 faIlure) ber of (revo-Fiber grndcs Jlounds pounds fiberslutionsper per pertosquare square stand-SS j SZ failure)inch) inch) anItwist twist bundle I) ------ I

First elass brushed excelshylent ~rnd)_ ___________ 1003 1)0 556 1806 7191 20 First class unbrushed exshycellent ~rnde __________ l G 170 1270 1104 707 20 I3rushed streaky grade___ 74 (i 21 7 I 4~ I middot178 1207 26 rnbruslwd ~trellky grade_ 5) (i 15 S a4a 121)3 1 763 23 Unshed browlI grude 67 S lU3 Ol i 557 4U) 23 lnbrushcd hrown grnde Uol5 20 0 I aO1 I 225 1052 I 2j

I I 15 inches long und weighing 325 milligrnms

------

--

54 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPP OF AGRICULTURE

lABLE 22-Fiber stre~gth lesistice to abmsion and flex life of 3 [tades oj hagotan-stnpped abaca jiber jrom the Changwuwla Valley Panama 1946 crop bull

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot nessabrasion (rey-

Flexolutions to (1000 (1000 failure) life bel of

strength strength (numshy(revo-Fiber grades pounds pounds fiberslutionsper PCI PCItosquare square stand-SS I SZ failure)ineh) ineh) arcltwist twist bundle I)

---Brown__________________ 75 3 170 672 646 983 19Streaky___________ --____ 778 182 415 778 706 16White __________________ 69 1 169 584 1 2)4 middot156 2o

I 15 inches long lind weighing 325 milligrams

lAlHg 23-liiber 8tlenyth resistance to abrasion and flex life of 9 grades oj abac(poundjibeJjrom tILe Philippine islands lJOStW(Ul)rocLuction 1

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot abrasion (rev- ness

strength strength olutions to Flex (numshy(1000 (1000 failure) life bel of (revo-Fiber grades paulich pounds fibers

~------~ lutions PCI per per

i square square to stand_SS SZ failure) bullinch) inch) nrdtwist twist bundle 2)

DaCReG Davao______ - 521 135 332 I 132 225 29 I TFEAI Tabaco NAlbny ________ bull _______ 772 204 765 146(j 1005 47 H DaKCIT Davao______ 77 2 23 1 I 180 784 655 22 K DaCRCK Davao_____ 758 185 331) 636 Ci67 25 I DIIKCI Davao _______ 770 196 420 4)3 516 28 S2 DaKC82 Davao ______ 762 U 6 297 1071 729 25 F TOIlKAF TiagnollS CIIm _______________ 812 228 395 4964 866 50 J 1 Da(~RCJI Dayao_____ 748 165 768 1 ll8 760 37 J 2 MDMACJ2 Dayao___ 77 7 187 876 1076 4)2 22

i I

I This fiber was presumably hand cleaned 2 15 inches 10llg and weighing 325 milligrams

The light fiber designated excellent grade was strongest among the machine-cleaned samples whereas the streaky fiber as strongest among the samples from Panama cleaned by the hagotan method (tables 21 and 22) In general the hugbtlln-stripped fiber frol11 Central America was about equal in strength to the fiber from the Philippine Islands The machine-cleaned snmple from Pa1lluna was above ilvemge strength for fiber prodmed in lither area and would bull appeal to represent mOJc leady the type of nber harvested ill the Philippines before the war

55

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY 01lt ABACA FIBlltJR

Generally the knot streJlgths were closely related to the fiber trengths but the brushed streaky grade mentioned in table 21 and grades lfand S~ from Davao (table 23) showed greater knot strength 011111 expected from their fiber strengths

The data in table 21 indicate that the finer the fiber from Panama (numbCl or stlllllds per bundle) the grellter the resiStance to ublllsion with the SS twist and the greuter the flex life Conversely the courser the flber the greater the resistance to abrasion with the SZ twist The Panall1ll fiuer is lllUCh coarser in texture and shows less valiiltion in physicu I PloPNties than tho Philippine fiber (table 23)

The Phi Iippine fl be t had a tendency to give greater resistance to abtasion with the is twist in the cOurser fibers The finer fiber gltve gllaieI resistunce to llbrasion with the SZ twist In geneml howevcr the finel the Philippine fibel~ the greater the Hex life

DISCUSSION ND CONCLUSIONS

The fillll sirengths or the pnWlll Philippine fibel testld were on t Ill It vemg( gleutel than those or the Centra I Alllerican abaca fiber The slllngths of the postwar samples 110m tlll two )Olatiom arc neady tIll SIll lie Othe) studies J indieated that the hagotanshystriPPl-ti fib(l f101l1 silJlilar plants was usually stronger than the malhinc-dl(oltieate( fibll The Philippine fiber llsed in these tests was no doubt hand-stripped Hue I particularly that from the postwar ploductioll and shoullt1 bl Nlulll to or Letter than the hagotan-stripped fiber trom the same type of phnt

An eallill study 10 showed that tall plants gLown under full shade IHoduCed stlOngel fibe) than stunted plants frol11 overharvested fields The sal1lples of l l hilippine fiuer IULlvestecl before the WIll seem to lepresent the uettel types of growth whereas the fiber harvestedllfter the wal may have ueen adversely affeeted by the overharvesting practiced thell ill nlost an-as of the Philippines If the low llues outained from lurlent SlllllpllS of the lgthi1ippine fiber is due to overshyhnlesting the Centml lJIelican fiber although cleaned by the laSpadOl ll1aehille liMY even under present hnrvesting conditions be Nlslntially equal 01 peLlmps snpelior to that being received from the Philippin(s

If a supply of ullusually strong fiber is needed for specific pmposes it llIay be obtained from (entml AnwliCa by segl(gnting the lower sections of the plant from the top secrions If the best quality of libel is desill-d care must be exercised in growing the plants and cIt-anillg thl fiber in both Ilreas

The blllsll(lt1 fib() flom each gmde was stronger than the unbrushed but no (onsistCllt lelatiol1ships existed between the other properties and the blllshing tleatmellt III general thefilHl the libel is the greater is the flex life~ and vice versa Additional data will be required befole relationships can be established between the other fiber propelties

See section in this hlllptill 011 A Study of IenlOds of Oleaning Central AlllPlican A1JlH1l l~ih(I p 28

I Sp( gtldion in this blllJptill (In 11w Qlllllit~ of (elltllll American Abaca Fiber as Aff((tl(i h~ VUlilt L()(Hli()n of (IlIwth 11Iliithll ill Plant Hlld i[ethl(l of Drying 11 4

56 lEC1-rNLCAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPl OF AGRICULlURE

LITERATURE CITED

(1) r~IRLImiddot E E IDH4 (~ltr[N PHYSICAL AND STHUCTUltAT lROPEIITlES OF TJImE sp~cms OF

gtOl11lIEltN Y~JI_OW lINt COImIAnD WI1l1 IHI~ CO~IPIlESSION S1llf~NUIH Ot lHIWt WOOf) Ann ~Io llot GU(lells 21 241-al8 illus

(2) lH(I l1I()(lUESS HEPOlll ON rIUP TO ABACA PLNr1IONS OF C~NlIIAL AhUJIICI shy

~IAY t2 10 JUN~ ()10411 Slut to R(collstl Finance Corp on JIIr 11) IHU r pp illus [lroeessed]

(3) EUAIUlS H 1 1l4bullbull lIlE lNTIIODUCIION m BACA (MANIIA H~)~lP) INTO lng WESlEItN

lIIylSlEmHE~ Smiths Jnst Itpt 194 327-3GO illus (4) bull --- II 11( HM~EIIY M 11

lBO-I AIIACA D1ANILA It E_ll 1 bull Dppt Iut Hmmiddot PhillPllil1e AgImiddot Furmers Enl 12 31) PII illus (H(iwll 1010)

(5) --- SMI~lmY 11 M IIn( YouNumml S 1l-17 OIIlOOK mn lUlrIPPINg IIAC I Cord Age llag 47 5--68

(0) ESPINO It B llllibullIIACA fo(flI~Il The Philippine Agr alld I~ollstel 4 200-21(1 illus

(7) ------- 11IIcl ESUUI~ltIt_ I~ ID3 O~lPAltA1ln STUDY In nmns PItOIlJO~) BY SIX VAltnlmS OJ ABACA

WllBX HIIOWN IN LOS llANOS rhe Philippine AI-(I 13 1-l1--[12JII Ills

(8) Hu[Jlullmm V J 11)15 lIuellNICS OF AllItASION 0] TgXTILE lI[ATEUTALS Textile Res Jour

Hi 1ll-177 illus (D) HAUEIlY M ~I

1)middot1U_ ImIOllT ON INSlECIION OF nVE C~NnIAr AJI[EIIICAN ABACA PlIomcrs ~fAY ~l-JUN~ 14 lHfJ Atlrlrpsspc to ~[r (hal(S A Joshs Hp(onstl llinHnce (middotorp Julle 28 H14(1 6 IJJl [Lrocesspd]

(10) SCHIEmn H F 11-l-l ~[tIIINI-S AND ~mlHOlJS FOil TESlING ColllJAm FlmIIS [U S] Nat

Bul Standards JOUl Res 33 315-339 Illus (11) TmoNA M

11)32 1I11- 1ltrAllfLIlY 01 nNSILI SlIENUlH OF C01BmIlCIAfbullbullBAOA FIlllms OF Tin SAJlm OIUGIN IN lH~ PSEunOSTElI( Philippine JOIlI Sci 48 2-13-250

(12) 1D12 TUg INnnNCI OF rIn PfnIOll OF Am IIllYINpound ON IHf SJIIfoNGrH m

~IlAt FIIlEH Philippill( TOlllmiddot SCi 48 237-41

bull

bull

U S GQYIRNMENT PHINTHIG OFfiCE 1949

Jor sale by the SUIIlr1l1tNllItul of Dormnellls ( S 00-(11l1l1elll ldulingOllicQ Wl~~hlllglUU 25 D O bull lricc 20 cents bull

------

--

54 TECHNICAL BULLETIN 999 U S DEPP OF AGRICULTURE

lABLE 22-Fiber stre~gth lesistice to abmsion and flex life of 3 [tades oj hagotan-stnpped abaca jiber jrom the Changwuwla Valley Panama 1946 crop bull

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot nessabrasion (rey-

Flexolutions to (1000 (1000 failure) life bel of

strength strength (numshy(revo-Fiber grades pounds pounds fiberslutionsper PCI PCItosquare square stand-SS I SZ failure)ineh) ineh) arcltwist twist bundle I)

---Brown__________________ 75 3 170 672 646 983 19Streaky___________ --____ 778 182 415 778 706 16White __________________ 69 1 169 584 1 2)4 middot156 2o

I 15 inches long lind weighing 325 milligrams

lAlHg 23-liiber 8tlenyth resistance to abrasion and flex life of 9 grades oj abac(poundjibeJjrom tILe Philippine islands lJOStW(Ul)rocLuction 1

Resistance to Fine-Fiber Knot abrasion (rev- ness

strength strength olutions to Flex (numshy(1000 (1000 failure) life bel of (revo-Fiber grades paulich pounds fibers

~------~ lutions PCI per per

i square square to stand_SS SZ failure) bullinch) inch) nrdtwist twist bundle 2)

DaCReG Davao______ - 521 135 332 I 132 225 29 I TFEAI Tabaco NAlbny ________ bull _______ 772 204 765 146(j 1005 47 H DaKCIT Davao______ 77 2 23 1 I 180 784 655 22 K DaCRCK Davao_____ 758 185 331) 636 Ci67 25 I DIIKCI Davao _______ 770 196 420 4)3 516 28 S2 DaKC82 Davao ______ 762 U 6 297 1071 729 25 F TOIlKAF TiagnollS CIIm _______________ 812 228 395 4964 866 50 J 1 Da(~RCJI Dayao_____ 748 165 768 1 ll8 760 37 J 2 MDMACJ2 Dayao___ 77 7 187 876 1076 4)2 22

i I

I This fiber was presumably hand cleaned 2 15 inches 10llg and weighing 325 milligrams

The light fiber designated excellent grade was strongest among the machine-cleaned samples whereas the streaky fiber as strongest among the samples from Panama cleaned by the hagotan method (tables 21 and 22) In general the hugbtlln-stripped fiber frol11 Central America was about equal in strength to the fiber from the Philippine Islands The machine-cleaned snmple from Pa1lluna was above ilvemge strength for fiber prodmed in lither area and would bull appeal to represent mOJc leady the type of nber harvested ill the Philippines before the war

55

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY 01lt ABACA FIBlltJR

Generally the knot streJlgths were closely related to the fiber trengths but the brushed streaky grade mentioned in table 21 and grades lfand S~ from Davao (table 23) showed greater knot strength 011111 expected from their fiber strengths

The data in table 21 indicate that the finer the fiber from Panama (numbCl or stlllllds per bundle) the grellter the resiStance to ublllsion with the SS twist and the greuter the flex life Conversely the courser the flber the greater the resistance to abrasion with the SZ twist The Panall1ll fiuer is lllUCh coarser in texture and shows less valiiltion in physicu I PloPNties than tho Philippine fiber (table 23)

The Phi Iippine fl be t had a tendency to give greater resistance to abtasion with the is twist in the cOurser fibers The finer fiber gltve gllaieI resistunce to llbrasion with the SZ twist In geneml howevcr the finel the Philippine fibel~ the greater the Hex life

DISCUSSION ND CONCLUSIONS

The fillll sirengths or the pnWlll Philippine fibel testld were on t Ill It vemg( gleutel than those or the Centra I Alllerican abaca fiber The slllngths of the postwar samples 110m tlll two )Olatiom arc neady tIll SIll lie Othe) studies J indieated that the hagotanshystriPPl-ti fib(l f101l1 silJlilar plants was usually stronger than the malhinc-dl(oltieate( fibll The Philippine fiber llsed in these tests was no doubt hand-stripped Hue I particularly that from the postwar ploductioll and shoullt1 bl Nlulll to or Letter than the hagotan-stripped fiber trom the same type of phnt

An eallill study 10 showed that tall plants gLown under full shade IHoduCed stlOngel fibe) than stunted plants frol11 overharvested fields The sal1lples of l l hilippine fiuer IULlvestecl before the WIll seem to lepresent the uettel types of growth whereas the fiber harvestedllfter the wal may have ueen adversely affeeted by the overharvesting practiced thell ill nlost an-as of the Philippines If the low llues outained from lurlent SlllllpllS of the lgthi1ippine fiber is due to overshyhnlesting the Centml lJIelican fiber although cleaned by the laSpadOl ll1aehille liMY even under present hnrvesting conditions be Nlslntially equal 01 peLlmps snpelior to that being received from the Philippin(s

If a supply of ullusually strong fiber is needed for specific pmposes it llIay be obtained from (entml AnwliCa by segl(gnting the lower sections of the plant from the top secrions If the best quality of libel is desill-d care must be exercised in growing the plants and cIt-anillg thl fiber in both Ilreas

The blllsll(lt1 fib() flom each gmde was stronger than the unbrushed but no (onsistCllt lelatiol1ships existed between the other properties and the blllshing tleatmellt III general thefilHl the libel is the greater is the flex life~ and vice versa Additional data will be required befole relationships can be established between the other fiber propelties

See section in this hlllptill 011 A Study of IenlOds of Oleaning Central AlllPlican A1JlH1l l~ih(I p 28

I Sp( gtldion in this blllJptill (In 11w Qlllllit~ of (elltllll American Abaca Fiber as Aff((tl(i h~ VUlilt L()(Hli()n of (IlIwth 11Iliithll ill Plant Hlld i[ethl(l of Drying 11 4

56 lEC1-rNLCAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPl OF AGRICULlURE

LITERATURE CITED

(1) r~IRLImiddot E E IDH4 (~ltr[N PHYSICAL AND STHUCTUltAT lROPEIITlES OF TJImE sp~cms OF

gtOl11lIEltN Y~JI_OW lINt COImIAnD WI1l1 IHI~ CO~IPIlESSION S1llf~NUIH Ot lHIWt WOOf) Ann ~Io llot GU(lells 21 241-al8 illus

(2) lH(I l1I()(lUESS HEPOlll ON rIUP TO ABACA PLNr1IONS OF C~NlIIAL AhUJIICI shy

~IAY t2 10 JUN~ ()10411 Slut to R(collstl Finance Corp on JIIr 11) IHU r pp illus [lroeessed]

(3) EUAIUlS H 1 1l4bullbull lIlE lNTIIODUCIION m BACA (MANIIA H~)~lP) INTO lng WESlEItN

lIIylSlEmHE~ Smiths Jnst Itpt 194 327-3GO illus (4) bull --- II 11( HM~EIIY M 11

lBO-I AIIACA D1ANILA It E_ll 1 bull Dppt Iut Hmmiddot PhillPllil1e AgImiddot Furmers Enl 12 31) PII illus (H(iwll 1010)

(5) --- SMI~lmY 11 M IIn( YouNumml S 1l-17 OIIlOOK mn lUlrIPPINg IIAC I Cord Age llag 47 5--68

(0) ESPINO It B llllibullIIACA fo(flI~Il The Philippine Agr alld I~ollstel 4 200-21(1 illus

(7) ------- 11IIcl ESUUI~ltIt_ I~ ID3 O~lPAltA1ln STUDY In nmns PItOIlJO~) BY SIX VAltnlmS OJ ABACA

WllBX HIIOWN IN LOS llANOS rhe Philippine AI-(I 13 1-l1--[12JII Ills

(8) Hu[Jlullmm V J 11)15 lIuellNICS OF AllItASION 0] TgXTILE lI[ATEUTALS Textile Res Jour

Hi 1ll-177 illus (D) HAUEIlY M ~I

1)middot1U_ ImIOllT ON INSlECIION OF nVE C~NnIAr AJI[EIIICAN ABACA PlIomcrs ~fAY ~l-JUN~ 14 lHfJ Atlrlrpsspc to ~[r (hal(S A Joshs Hp(onstl llinHnce (middotorp Julle 28 H14(1 6 IJJl [Lrocesspd]

(10) SCHIEmn H F 11-l-l ~[tIIINI-S AND ~mlHOlJS FOil TESlING ColllJAm FlmIIS [U S] Nat

Bul Standards JOUl Res 33 315-339 Illus (11) TmoNA M

11)32 1I11- 1ltrAllfLIlY 01 nNSILI SlIENUlH OF C01BmIlCIAfbullbullBAOA FIlllms OF Tin SAJlm OIUGIN IN lH~ PSEunOSTElI( Philippine JOIlI Sci 48 2-13-250

(12) 1D12 TUg INnnNCI OF rIn PfnIOll OF Am IIllYINpound ON IHf SJIIfoNGrH m

~IlAt FIIlEH Philippill( TOlllmiddot SCi 48 237-41

bull

bull

U S GQYIRNMENT PHINTHIG OFfiCE 1949

Jor sale by the SUIIlr1l1tNllItul of Dormnellls ( S 00-(11l1l1elll ldulingOllicQ Wl~~hlllglUU 25 D O bull lricc 20 cents bull

55

bull

bull

bull

A STUDY OF lHE QUALITY 01lt ABACA FIBlltJR

Generally the knot streJlgths were closely related to the fiber trengths but the brushed streaky grade mentioned in table 21 and grades lfand S~ from Davao (table 23) showed greater knot strength 011111 expected from their fiber strengths

The data in table 21 indicate that the finer the fiber from Panama (numbCl or stlllllds per bundle) the grellter the resiStance to ublllsion with the SS twist and the greuter the flex life Conversely the courser the flber the greater the resistance to abrasion with the SZ twist The Panall1ll fiuer is lllUCh coarser in texture and shows less valiiltion in physicu I PloPNties than tho Philippine fiber (table 23)

The Phi Iippine fl be t had a tendency to give greater resistance to abtasion with the is twist in the cOurser fibers The finer fiber gltve gllaieI resistunce to llbrasion with the SZ twist In geneml howevcr the finel the Philippine fibel~ the greater the Hex life

DISCUSSION ND CONCLUSIONS

The fillll sirengths or the pnWlll Philippine fibel testld were on t Ill It vemg( gleutel than those or the Centra I Alllerican abaca fiber The slllngths of the postwar samples 110m tlll two )Olatiom arc neady tIll SIll lie Othe) studies J indieated that the hagotanshystriPPl-ti fib(l f101l1 silJlilar plants was usually stronger than the malhinc-dl(oltieate( fibll The Philippine fiber llsed in these tests was no doubt hand-stripped Hue I particularly that from the postwar ploductioll and shoullt1 bl Nlulll to or Letter than the hagotan-stripped fiber trom the same type of phnt

An eallill study 10 showed that tall plants gLown under full shade IHoduCed stlOngel fibe) than stunted plants frol11 overharvested fields The sal1lples of l l hilippine fiuer IULlvestecl before the WIll seem to lepresent the uettel types of growth whereas the fiber harvestedllfter the wal may have ueen adversely affeeted by the overharvesting practiced thell ill nlost an-as of the Philippines If the low llues outained from lurlent SlllllpllS of the lgthi1ippine fiber is due to overshyhnlesting the Centml lJIelican fiber although cleaned by the laSpadOl ll1aehille liMY even under present hnrvesting conditions be Nlslntially equal 01 peLlmps snpelior to that being received from the Philippin(s

If a supply of ullusually strong fiber is needed for specific pmposes it llIay be obtained from (entml AnwliCa by segl(gnting the lower sections of the plant from the top secrions If the best quality of libel is desill-d care must be exercised in growing the plants and cIt-anillg thl fiber in both Ilreas

The blllsll(lt1 fib() flom each gmde was stronger than the unbrushed but no (onsistCllt lelatiol1ships existed between the other properties and the blllshing tleatmellt III general thefilHl the libel is the greater is the flex life~ and vice versa Additional data will be required befole relationships can be established between the other fiber propelties

See section in this hlllptill 011 A Study of IenlOds of Oleaning Central AlllPlican A1JlH1l l~ih(I p 28

I Sp( gtldion in this blllJptill (In 11w Qlllllit~ of (elltllll American Abaca Fiber as Aff((tl(i h~ VUlilt L()(Hli()n of (IlIwth 11Iliithll ill Plant Hlld i[ethl(l of Drying 11 4

56 lEC1-rNLCAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPl OF AGRICULlURE

LITERATURE CITED

(1) r~IRLImiddot E E IDH4 (~ltr[N PHYSICAL AND STHUCTUltAT lROPEIITlES OF TJImE sp~cms OF

gtOl11lIEltN Y~JI_OW lINt COImIAnD WI1l1 IHI~ CO~IPIlESSION S1llf~NUIH Ot lHIWt WOOf) Ann ~Io llot GU(lells 21 241-al8 illus

(2) lH(I l1I()(lUESS HEPOlll ON rIUP TO ABACA PLNr1IONS OF C~NlIIAL AhUJIICI shy

~IAY t2 10 JUN~ ()10411 Slut to R(collstl Finance Corp on JIIr 11) IHU r pp illus [lroeessed]

(3) EUAIUlS H 1 1l4bullbull lIlE lNTIIODUCIION m BACA (MANIIA H~)~lP) INTO lng WESlEItN

lIIylSlEmHE~ Smiths Jnst Itpt 194 327-3GO illus (4) bull --- II 11( HM~EIIY M 11

lBO-I AIIACA D1ANILA It E_ll 1 bull Dppt Iut Hmmiddot PhillPllil1e AgImiddot Furmers Enl 12 31) PII illus (H(iwll 1010)

(5) --- SMI~lmY 11 M IIn( YouNumml S 1l-17 OIIlOOK mn lUlrIPPINg IIAC I Cord Age llag 47 5--68

(0) ESPINO It B llllibullIIACA fo(flI~Il The Philippine Agr alld I~ollstel 4 200-21(1 illus

(7) ------- 11IIcl ESUUI~ltIt_ I~ ID3 O~lPAltA1ln STUDY In nmns PItOIlJO~) BY SIX VAltnlmS OJ ABACA

WllBX HIIOWN IN LOS llANOS rhe Philippine AI-(I 13 1-l1--[12JII Ills

(8) Hu[Jlullmm V J 11)15 lIuellNICS OF AllItASION 0] TgXTILE lI[ATEUTALS Textile Res Jour

Hi 1ll-177 illus (D) HAUEIlY M ~I

1)middot1U_ ImIOllT ON INSlECIION OF nVE C~NnIAr AJI[EIIICAN ABACA PlIomcrs ~fAY ~l-JUN~ 14 lHfJ Atlrlrpsspc to ~[r (hal(S A Joshs Hp(onstl llinHnce (middotorp Julle 28 H14(1 6 IJJl [Lrocesspd]

(10) SCHIEmn H F 11-l-l ~[tIIINI-S AND ~mlHOlJS FOil TESlING ColllJAm FlmIIS [U S] Nat

Bul Standards JOUl Res 33 315-339 Illus (11) TmoNA M

11)32 1I11- 1ltrAllfLIlY 01 nNSILI SlIENUlH OF C01BmIlCIAfbullbullBAOA FIlllms OF Tin SAJlm OIUGIN IN lH~ PSEunOSTElI( Philippine JOIlI Sci 48 2-13-250

(12) 1D12 TUg INnnNCI OF rIn PfnIOll OF Am IIllYINpound ON IHf SJIIfoNGrH m

~IlAt FIIlEH Philippill( TOlllmiddot SCi 48 237-41

bull

bull

U S GQYIRNMENT PHINTHIG OFfiCE 1949

Jor sale by the SUIIlr1l1tNllItul of Dormnellls ( S 00-(11l1l1elll ldulingOllicQ Wl~~hlllglUU 25 D O bull lricc 20 cents bull

56 lEC1-rNLCAL BULLElIN 999 U S DEPl OF AGRICULlURE

LITERATURE CITED

(1) r~IRLImiddot E E IDH4 (~ltr[N PHYSICAL AND STHUCTUltAT lROPEIITlES OF TJImE sp~cms OF

gtOl11lIEltN Y~JI_OW lINt COImIAnD WI1l1 IHI~ CO~IPIlESSION S1llf~NUIH Ot lHIWt WOOf) Ann ~Io llot GU(lells 21 241-al8 illus

(2) lH(I l1I()(lUESS HEPOlll ON rIUP TO ABACA PLNr1IONS OF C~NlIIAL AhUJIICI shy

~IAY t2 10 JUN~ ()10411 Slut to R(collstl Finance Corp on JIIr 11) IHU r pp illus [lroeessed]

(3) EUAIUlS H 1 1l4bullbull lIlE lNTIIODUCIION m BACA (MANIIA H~)~lP) INTO lng WESlEItN

lIIylSlEmHE~ Smiths Jnst Itpt 194 327-3GO illus (4) bull --- II 11( HM~EIIY M 11

lBO-I AIIACA D1ANILA It E_ll 1 bull Dppt Iut Hmmiddot PhillPllil1e AgImiddot Furmers Enl 12 31) PII illus (H(iwll 1010)

(5) --- SMI~lmY 11 M IIn( YouNumml S 1l-17 OIIlOOK mn lUlrIPPINg IIAC I Cord Age llag 47 5--68

(0) ESPINO It B llllibullIIACA fo(flI~Il The Philippine Agr alld I~ollstel 4 200-21(1 illus

(7) ------- 11IIcl ESUUI~ltIt_ I~ ID3 O~lPAltA1ln STUDY In nmns PItOIlJO~) BY SIX VAltnlmS OJ ABACA

WllBX HIIOWN IN LOS llANOS rhe Philippine AI-(I 13 1-l1--[12JII Ills

(8) Hu[Jlullmm V J 11)15 lIuellNICS OF AllItASION 0] TgXTILE lI[ATEUTALS Textile Res Jour

Hi 1ll-177 illus (D) HAUEIlY M ~I

1)middot1U_ ImIOllT ON INSlECIION OF nVE C~NnIAr AJI[EIIICAN ABACA PlIomcrs ~fAY ~l-JUN~ 14 lHfJ Atlrlrpsspc to ~[r (hal(S A Joshs Hp(onstl llinHnce (middotorp Julle 28 H14(1 6 IJJl [Lrocesspd]

(10) SCHIEmn H F 11-l-l ~[tIIINI-S AND ~mlHOlJS FOil TESlING ColllJAm FlmIIS [U S] Nat

Bul Standards JOUl Res 33 315-339 Illus (11) TmoNA M

11)32 1I11- 1ltrAllfLIlY 01 nNSILI SlIENUlH OF C01BmIlCIAfbullbullBAOA FIlllms OF Tin SAJlm OIUGIN IN lH~ PSEunOSTElI( Philippine JOIlI Sci 48 2-13-250

(12) 1D12 TUg INnnNCI OF rIn PfnIOll OF Am IIllYINpound ON IHf SJIIfoNGrH m

~IlAt FIIlEH Philippill( TOlllmiddot SCi 48 237-41

bull

bull

U S GQYIRNMENT PHINTHIG OFfiCE 1949

Jor sale by the SUIIlr1l1tNllItul of Dormnellls ( S 00-(11l1l1elll ldulingOllicQ Wl~~hlllglUU 25 D O bull lricc 20 cents bull