Effect of altitude on the mechanical strength of Grewia optiva fiber in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT In recent decades, fiber yielding plants are getting more importance due to their eco-friendly nature of material they produce compared to other conventional materials. These plants fibers are major raw materials to the textiles and other fiber-related industries. But due to over exploitation, improper utilization, and lack of proper marketing channels, these fiber-yielding plants are not getting proper recognition in the local/regional/national and international markets. Among the fiber-yielding species in Garhwal Himalaya, Grewia optiva is an important tree that yields fiber and used by villagers for several traditional purposes. Grewia optiva is distributed in wide altitudinal range (500–2500 masl) of Garhwal Himalaya and, therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of altitude on the physical properties of Grewia optiva fiber. Three major ranges of altitudes (i.e., <1000, 1000–1500, and >1500 masl) were selected for this study and four major parameters (i.e., Fiber Denier, Breaking Strength, Tenacity and Elongation at Break) were taken to understand their properties in each altitude under study. The results show that the mechanical strength of Grewia fiber at higher altitude is maximum due to fiber denier value, breaking strength, elongation at break, and lower at lowest altitude except for tenacity value (highest in middle attitude).