Effect of Okra Plant Lifespan upon Tensile Properties of Okra Fibers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study has been carried out to identify the effect of the okra plant lifespan upon the tensile properties, that is, fiber bundle strength and elongation of the yielded fibers. 90 ± 10 days, 120 ± 10 days, and 160 ± 10 days matured crop waste were subjected to different retting conditions (retting duration and retting medium flow rate). Water was used as retting medium with two different flow rates (0 and 6.5 m/min). Five retting durations were taken for this study between 11 and 35 days. The bundle tenacity (gf/tex) and elongation at break (%) were measured by Instron automatic bundle strength tester for the extracted okra fibers. The study revealed that okra fiber extracted through the running water showed better tensile strength (at least 14% higher, range 14–80%) than fiber extracted through stagnant water retting conditions at every retting duration (11–35 days) for the different lifespans of okra plants. Okra fiber bundle tenacity continuously reduced with the retting period ranging from 11 to 35 days irrespective of okra plant lifespan and retting conditions. Improvement in tenacity was found from 90 ± 10 days to 120 ± 10 days okra plant lifespan, but no significant improvement was found after 120 ± 10 days okra plant lifespan. No significant effect of elongation at break (%) was found for the okra plant lifespan and retting conditions.