STRUCTURAL MECHANICS OF JUTE - THE EFFECTS OF HEMICELLULOSE OR LIGNIN REMOVAL

The effects of the separate removal of hemicelluloses and lignin on the structural mechanics of multi-cellular jute fibre have been studied. The results show that when the content of either the hemicelluloses or lignin is reduced progressively by chemical treatment, the tensile properties of jute fibre at rupture as well as at low extension are modified. It is suggested that in the case of removal of hemicelluloses, believed to be mainly present in the inter-fibrillar regions within the ultimate cell, the deformation of the fibrillar network is mainly responsible for the stress development and relaxation in stretched jute fibre. On the other hand, in the case of the removal of lignin, believed to be located in the inter-cellular region, the behavioural change in that region plays a dominant role in determining the tensile characteristics of the jute fibre.