Question

retting is an important process in the making of coir. Explain with suitable reason. ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Coir is an important product of coconut, giving income to the coconut

growers and gainful employment to many. In industrial practice the extraction

of coir fibre is effected manually or by mechanical means. Depending

on the age of husks used in the manufacture of fibre it can be divided into

two categories. :-

(a) White Fibre - Produced from fresh green husks of 10-11 month

old nuts. The husks are allowed to undergo retting and the fibre

is extracted manually. This fibre possesses good elasticity and

colour.

(b). -Brown Fibre - Produced from the dried brown husks of about 12

month old nuts. The husks are soaked for 2-3 weeks and the

coir is extracted mechanically. These fibres are more brittle and

brownish in colour.

;

Because of its peculiar properties coir can be used directly or after softening

and bleaching treatments in the manufacture of quality products. Coir is

used in seats, cushions, mattresses for the manufacture of brushes, brooms,

ropes, yarns, mats, mattings, carpets, rugs etc. Presently mattress fibre and

short stapled variety of brown fibre, 'O mat' fibre, are also utilised in making

rubberised coir for upholstery. A new use of mattress fibre is in air

conditioning and sound proofing of buildings. Mattress fibre is also used in

laminated plastics (F.A.0 Bulletin, 1969). Coir also finds its use as filter

points in tube wells. (Prabhu, 19S9 a).