Abaca Fiber
General Characteristics, Properties, and Practical Uses of Abaca Fiber
Abaca fiber comes from a plant in the banana family, genus Musa, formerly called Manila hemp. It grows and thrives well in the Philippines, the island of Borneo in Indonesia, Guatemala, Panama, and other locations. This type of fiber is obtained by separating the outermost part of the leaf sheath, yielding relatively long fibers of about 15 feet in length.
The plant's stem resembles the banana trees commonly found in Thailand, standing about 15-25 feet tall. The true stem sits at the center of the surrounding leaf sheaths and has a diameter of about 2 inches.
Fiber extraction is typically done in 2 stages. The first stage separates the outer layer from the sheath. The second stage separates the pulp and other components from the fiber. This fiber extraction process must be done quickly after the plant is freshly cut, otherwise the fibers become difficult to separate. Once the abaca fiber has been separated, it is then washed clean, resulting in fiber with a glossy white color. If left too long, the fiber will change color immediately.
General Properties of Abaca Fiber
Abaca fiber is very strong, stretches well, and has good elasticity, and it resists microorganisms in salt water very well. Compared to other fibers of the same size, the base of the leaf sheath is stronger than the tip. When comparing the strength of abaca fiber to sisal fiber, abaca fiber has a relative strength of 100, while sisal fiber has a strength of only 75, even though the composition of abaca and sisal fibers is quite similar.
Abaca Fiber and
Abaca fiber is strong and bends well, making it suitable for making rope, placemats, and garment fabric. Fabric made from abaca fiber for clothing is lightweight, beautiful, and very durable.