Chemical degumming of kenaf

Poor degumming effect of kenaf due to its high lignin content seriously hinders its development and use.Through pre-oxidation,soda boiling,and after-treatment of degumming(soaking in urea and mechanical opening),the paper adopted chemical/physical method to carry out the degumming of kenaf.The factors affecting the degumming were investigated and the optimum process conditions were obtained.The kenaf fibers processed under the optimum conditions have the breaking strength up to 3.85 cN/dtex and fineness up to 738 Nm,with fiber quality and spinnability obviously improved.This study provides a reference for the follow-up spinning process.