(2014-03-18) Kariuki, Mary Mumbi; Mokabi, N.; Tumuti, D.W.
Given that vast quantities of pineapple leaves go
into waste each year in Kenya, this study was carried out
to investigate the possibility of extracting the fibre
and to further analyze the quality of the fibre in
comparison to other cellulosic fibres that are already in
use in the Kenyan textile industry. About 1.lkg of fibre
was extracted using hand decorticating methods. The fibre
tests that were carried out showed the fibre to be
similar to flax in visual and Longitudinal microscopic
appearance, while the cross-sectional appearance is like
that of sisal. The burning characteristics are similar
to those of other cellulosic fibres in general. The
moisture regain value of 10..39 is close to that of cotton
which ranges from 7-12. However the tenacity of the fibre
is lower than that of other cellulosic fibres, though
slightly higher than that of regular rayon which is a
regenerated cellulose fibre. The fibres were also spun
using hand techniques, and a variety of textile articles
made using various hand weaving techniques.