Kapok is a natural fiber that is derived from lignocellulosic materials. This material is considered to be more environmentally-friendly than other materials like syntactic fibers. It is because kapok filling has essential properties including their morphology, wettability, dimensions, and chemical components. In case you are curious about this, here is the answer.
The Essential Properties of Kapok That You Should Know
Fiber Morphology of Kapok
Kapok fiber has a deep structure with a thin fiber wall and a huge lumen complete with air. Single-cell seed fibers kapok is different from other natural fibers such as fleece, jute, hemp, wool, etc. Unicellular cellulosic fibers are oval- or cylindrical, long with sharp ends, and have tiny cell walls with large lumens, which are directed to low fiber concentrate for kapok.
Not only that, kapok is the lightest fiber that has a white color. Kapok is also known as shining material because of the wax content surface that is similar to the silk fibers. The kapok fiber length’s diameter ranged from 13.79 to 18.84 mm. For this reason, Kapok fibers were longer than other soft materials.
But commonly, the kapok fibers are flanked by 1cm and 1.5cm in length. Each of these fibers is layered with a waxy material called Cutline and the fiber is hollow. These two properties of kapok give the kapok fibers the characteristic of flexibility. It is because the kapok fibers are made up primarily of cellulose.
Wettability of Kapok
Kapok also has wettability properties that are great compared with other materials. It is proof by a lot of studies that measure the wettability of kapok. The study simulates the degree of wetting during the tested interaction between solids and liquids was higher than other materials. This phenomenon shows that kapok has a lower wettability property.
Thermal Properties of Kapok
Kapok fibers have an exceptional liquid-retention capability considering their large lumens. Their excellent thermal insulating properties, high buoyancy, and good absorbency for oil and other nonpolar liquids distinguish kapok from most other cellulosic fibers. Since kapok filling has thermal properties, it is used by numerous industrial sectors to make stuff.
Taking into consideration thermal properties, kapok has very good conductivity. That’s why numerous industries, including technical textile, are using this natural material since it can decrease the cold in particular compared to other material. The technical textile is using kapok for making clothing and other innovations because of thermal properties.
Chemicals Components of Kapok
Kapok fiber has a lower cellulose content and a higher lignin content compared with other materials like cotton or balsa. Kapok contained a significant amount of organic lignin, hemicellulose, and wax. It also contained small amounts of starch and protein. Considering the content of α-cellulose kapok, it makes this material safe to use for humans or the environment.
There is no doubt that kapok is a natural material that is safe for both human life and the environment. It is because there are numerous safe properties on the kapok, including thermal, organic components, wettability, morphology, and dimensions. In case you want to know more about kapok fiber filling, you can access the information on the kapokfibersuppliers.com.