Coir Fiber

Coir fiber, also known as coconut fiber, is a natural fiber extracted from the husk of the coconut. Coir fiber is the thickest and most durable of all commercial natural fibers. Alfa Chemistry offers coir fiber products to meet your specific needs.

Coir Fiber

Introduction

Coir fiber is inherently porous and has a high lignin content, so it is highly weather-resistant. The tenacity of coir fiber is not high, only around 1 cN/dtex, but its elongation is higher compared to other plant fibres, up to 15-40%. The coir fiber is also relatively waterproof and is one of the few natural fibers resistant to damage by salt water. In addition, coir fiber is also less prone to wrinkle and crush because of the air-filled cavities. It can withstand exposure to all kinds of weather, making it a practical fibre for outdoor use.

Composition and Content

Coir fiber is mainly composed of cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose and pectin, and also contains some other miscellaneous sugars, minerals, etc. The content of its main components is shown in the following table.

Components	Cellulose	Lignin	Hemicellulose	Pectin
Content	46%-63%	31%-36%	0.15%-0.25%	3%-4%

Classification

The classification of coir fiber can be done based on various criteria including fiber length, color, and grade.

Based on fiber length, coir fiber can be divided into the following three types.

Short coir fiber. Also known as 'coir pith' or 'coir dust', these fibers are less than 5 cm in length and are commonly used in gardening and agriculture as a soil conditioner or mulching material.
Medium coir fiber. These fibers are between 5-20 cm in length and are typically used in the production of coir products such as mats, rugs, carpets, and ropes.
Long coir fiber. Fibers longer than 20 cm are considered long coir fibers and are usually used in the production of mattresses, upholstery, and erosion control products.

Based on fiber color, coir fiber can be divided into the following two types.

White coir fiber. White coir is harvested from the coconuts before they are ripe. The fibers are white or light brown in color and are smooth and fine. They are generally spun to make yarn that is used in mats or rope.
Brown coir fiber. The natural color of coir fiber is brown, which is obtained by retaining the husk in water for a longer period before processing. Brown coir fibers are widely used for making ropes, mats, and other products.

Based on fiber grade, coir fiber can be divided into the following three types.

Fine grade coir fiber. This grade of coir fiber is also known as "ultrafine coir fiber" or "superfine coir fiber", has a softer texture and is commonly used in the production of high-quality textiles and handicrafts.
Medium grade coir fiber. This grade of coir fiber is versatile and used in a wide range of products including mats, rugs, brushes, and geotextiles.
Coarse grade coir fiber. With a rough and sturdy texture, this grade of coir fiber is often used in applications that require high tensile strength and durability, such as in the production of ropes, nets, and mattresses.

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