Assessment of Poplar Seed Hair Fibers as a Potential Bulk Textile Thermal Insulation Material

Abstract

Poplar seed hair fibers, harvested from the seed pods of one of the most common trees grown in the United States, have properties that make them ideal fibers for thermal insulation applications. This preliminary study examines some physical, chemical, and thermal characteristics of poplar fiber in relation to wool, down, and polyester. Results show that when compared to wool and down, poplar fiber has a finer diameter, is lighter in weight, and exhibits the highest fill power, a measure of a fiber’s ability to retain bulk. Thermal insulation tests reveal that although slightly less than down, poplar fiber has similar thermal resistance value (Rct) to that of wool and hollow polyester. In addition, the poplar fiber’s exceptionally large hollow core and its ability to resist wetting after treatments of solvents and laundering strongly suggest that poplar fiber has great potential as an environmentally friendly, effective, and lightweight textile bulk insulator.