Extraction and Evaluation of Fibers from Sugar Cane

Sugar cane fiber bundles were extracted from the separated rind of cane stalks using alkaline treatments. The amount of lignin removed depended on alkaline concentration and time and pressure of treatment; agitation and vigorous boiling also affected the lignin removal. A severity factor R was calculated to compare the delignification conditions. Alkali concentration significantly affected the mechanical properties of the fiber bundles. Tenacity, toughness, and linear density were higher for the fibers extracted at the lower concentration, as were bending rigidity and hysteresis.