Jute – what is it: the use of natural insulation

The content of the article

• What is jute
• Plant description
• Where grows
• Chemical composition and properties
• Production
• Application in industry and commerce
• Jute insulation in construction
• Production of packaging materials
• Furniture and carpet manufacturing
• Raw materials for the creation of composite polymers
• Rope products
• Jute thread in needlework
• How to choose the right jute fabric
• Appearance
• Producing country
• Material density
• The presence of impurities
• Price of jute insulation
• Advantages and disadvantages of jute fiber

One of the most popular natural fibers is jute, the demand for which is no less than in cotton. The lion’s share of its world production is in Bangladesh. Since ancient times, people have used jute fiber to make coarse clothes, ropes, and young shoots were even used for food. The emergence of jute as a commercial product came at the end of the 18th century. Over time, new technologies appeared, thanks to which yarn and jute fabric were spun from this material. The plant itself is among the spinning (bast).

What is jute

Jute (Latin: Corchorus) means an annual herb, shrub and shrub, otherwise called Calcutta hemp, Utah. Its height, depending on conditions, can reach more than 3 m. It consists of plant fibers such as lignin (a key component of wood fiber), cellulose, is a combination of lignocellulosic fibers, which simultaneously have the qualities of wood, textiles. People call it Hessian fabric or just burlap.

Plant description

This dicotyledonous herbaceous plant of the genus Corchorus is warm and moisture-loving – it belongs to the linden family. There are up to 80 species of this plant. The stalk is erect and branched with a rod root and oval-lanceolate, serrated leaves with appendages along the edges. The flowers are bisexual, small, have a yellow tint. The fruit is a ribbed box, which happens depending on the type of cricket or spherical. Seeds are small, may have a gray, green or brown color..

The main species are Tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius), white jute (Corchorus capsularis). Growing a plant that belongs to the species Tiliaceae requires a humid, warm climate with temperatures ranging from 24-37 ° C. In this regard, it is widely cultivated in subtropical regions of Asia. The largest sown area is in India, Bangladesh. Within the former Soviet Union, this herbaceous plant was cultivated in relatively small areas in the Central Asia region..

Where grows

Jute grows in the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Australia, America, Africa. Especially widespread in Bangladesh, India. The annual short-fruited and long-fruited Corchorus is cultivated. In many densely populated areas of South Asia, where the lion’s share of the global production of this crop is concentrated, jute fibers are of great economic importance. This is due to the fact that there they are a key source of income for small family farms.

If in the middle of the 20th century Bangladesh was almost a monopolist in the jute market, supplying the market with up to 80% of all exports in 1947-48, today it is grown in considerable quantities in India, Myanmar, China, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Brazil and several other countries of the world. At the same time, Africa is considered the center of origin of the Tossa variety, and India, South China are considered white jute. Jute fiber – the largest countries producing:

Chemical composition and properties

The jute plant consists of plant fibers with a high lignin content, i.e. resin, which is a natural polymer responsible for the quality characteristics of the resulting material. The chemical composition of the culture contains cardiac glycosides, which are corchoroside, olitorizide – thanks to this, the plant is used to produce drugs for heart diseases. The similarity of the crop in terms of physico-chemical characteristics to wood can be an alternative to the use of trees. Useful properties and features:

• Products from jute are a natural product, therefore, after application it undergoes rapid decomposition. In this case, the soil will be enriched with organic substances, which positively affects the yield of grain crops..
• During combustion, jute felt or other material from this culture, as a rule, does not emit fumes containing harmful substances.
• The stiffness of the fibers makes it possible to use jute for the manufacture of ropes, for example, ropes, twines, packaging fabric (burlap).
• The culture is one of the few plants that, according to the lignin content, corresponds to a tree. Due to this, the final material is waterproof, all the mechanical characteristics of wood.
• Natural color with a soft silky sheen. Due to this property, culture is used to decorate the interior..
• Jute fibers are hygroscopic and are the optimal material for the manufacture of packaging containers, burlap. The fabric absorbs moisture but does not allow it to enter the bag. According to the study, jute fiber at high humidity (relative) in 88% contains 23% moisture, but remains dry to the touch.

Production

Ripening of the plant lasts within 120-150 days, after which harvesting begins. Jute stems are cut, collected in bundles and left on the field for 3 days, so that the leaves fall. Bundles of stems are exposed to the lobe in ponds – it takes 5-15 days. In the process of this soaking, the destruction of the connecting plates occurs, which facilitates the separation of the stem from the fibers. The procedure is carried out manually directly in water, after which the jute is thoroughly washed. To remove excess moisture, the raw materials are hung on poles for drying and sent for processing.

Application in industry and commerce

For many hundreds of years, people used jute fiber to make coarse clothes and ropes, but over time the situation changed. Emerging new technologies have allowed expanding the range of products produced from jute to several hundred types of goods. These include bag packaging, ropes, wallpaper, linoleum, carpeting. The best varieties go for the production of fabric, tufted jute rugs..

Even high-quality paper is made from Corchorus fibers. In the field of pharmacology, drugs are produced from the plant that have a positive effect on the heart, which is similar to the action of other glycosides that enhance diuresis and improve coronary circulation. Created medicines have a calming effect on the central nervous system. Jute is widely used for the manufacture of heaters for the construction of wooden buildings. Use it for the manufacture of mats, geotextiles, shoes, bags.

Jute insulation in construction

In the construction field, a fibrous plant from the linden family is used as a material for thermal insulation. Fibers have the unique property of self-compacting, so that they become moisture resistant and act as reliable protection against wind. Warming with jute is carried out evenly, regardless of the width of the opening, the gap. The use of such a heater helps to control the humidity level in the room, as the material absorbs excess moisture and gives up the missing.

The insulation is presented in the form of a jute tape – customers just pick the right size. The process of its application does not require much effort, because the material is laid directly in the blockhouse. Jute tape is environmentally friendly. Experts say that the life of the material reaches 75 years or more. In the production of tape material, needle-punched technology is used. Jute tow for sealing inter-crown seams is sold in bales. It is suitable for buildings from different types of logs, beams.

Production of packaging materials

Raw materials from spinning culture are widely used for the production of soft and hard traditional packaging materials, a considerable part of which is used in everyday life. After processing, various types of packaging and furniture fabrics are made from jute raw materials from raw materials. Such a fabric is indispensable for the production of packaging materials due to low hygroscopicity. It is used for packaging textile fibers: linen, wool, cotton.

Furniture and carpet manufacturing

High-quality jute raw materials with optimal density indicators are able to provide the necessary durability and practicality for a wide variety of products. This also applies to furniture and carpets, which can often be found on sale. At the same time, furniture creates a special atmosphere of comfort in the house, especially since it is soft, practical. Jute rope is used even for decorating old furniture in need of restoration. As for the carpet, it is made from raw materials used for the production of burlap, weaving ropes. Such a carpet have a lot of advantages:

• original, relatively cheap;
• environmentally friendly, natural;
• in the composition there are no impurities that cause allergies;
• relatively tough, because does not deform after completely wet;
• It can be organically supplemented with any traditional material;
• good rigidity.

Raw materials for the creation of composite polymers

Jute is also used to create composite plastics that retain the ability of the fiber to “breathe”. The resulting polymers are used for packaging coffee, tea and other products. Composite materials are used even in the automotive industry. The reasons for the success of jute fiber among producers and consumers are high yields, low cost and naturalness.

Rope products

Bangladeshi, Indian and other types of jute raw materials are used in the manufacture of ropes, twines and ropes, which have good strength. Further, these products are used to create new things. For example, from twine you can make an oval or round rug that looks good in a bedroom or living room. Jute rope is a product resistant to ultraviolet and thermal radiation, mechanical stress, which is used in difficult environmental conditions and industrial industry. Ropes are often used for decoration of rooms, log cabins.

Jute thread in needlework

Threads and ropes made of jute fibers are also used in needlework. For example, a rug can be made in several stages – a rope made of natural material will be wound without difficulties, it will only take desire and patience. Alternatively, make a casket for the casket. As for the thread, you can buy a winder with almost any length. Some reels are several hundred meters long. The thread is used in needlework, weaving, macramé technique, as a decorative finish. Differs in durability, resistance to influence of temperature differences.

How to choose the right jute fabric

Jute is used for caulking the walls of the log house and filling the gaps as a heater. Having decided to choose such a filler for interventional seams (very important in winter), pay attention to the following parameters: appearance, technical characteristics (density), presence / absence of additives, country of origin. In the manufacture of insulation passes heat treatment, as a result of which all microorganisms die.

Appearance

Initially look at the appearance of the material. It is believed that for interventional warming it is optimal to use golden jute. Lush insulation for timber of this type appeared on the market relatively recently. It attracts attention with its thickness and low price. True, a low surface density can hide behind an affordable cost. Cheap products are made by joining jute fibers through chemical bonding. In this case, synthetic materials are used (mainly lavsan).

Thin insulation for a house from a bar is made by needle-punched technology: the fibers are attached with long jute strips, pulled by short ones. The technology is more expensive and time-consuming, but significantly increases product quality. This type of insulation from jute does not flake at all, does not accumulate moisture and does not release harmful substances that can destroy the beam.

There is also thermal jute – a novelty, which is a mixture of biocomponent and jute fibers. The first component, when heated to a high temperature, undergoes expansion, as a result of which it sticks together the jute fiber, making the material more elastic. Thermojack is considered to be more effective in terms of protection against the cold in comparison with the usual analogue, and, in addition, durable. Some tape sizes:

• width: 10, 15, 20 cm;
• thickness: 5-6, 8-10 mm;
• length – 20 linear meters.

Producing country

Many countries that produce raw materials prefer to trade in ready-made jute products. In this regard, it is desirable to give some importance to the choice of the country of origin. Fibers produced in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and some Central Asian countries are equally good for log cabins from logs, round logs. However, the main suppliers of canvas and raw materials for it are Bangladesh and India.

Material density

The price of interventional insulation is made up of both the width of the tape and its thickness and density. The last parameter depends on the goals: timber, log, caulking. The optimal indicator is 450-600 g / m2. High density gives products high heat-saving properties. A tough option is jute felt, reminiscent of ordinary wool, but it crumbles. But tow from 100% jute raw materials has a lower density, but it is devoid of impurities.

The presence of impurities

The selected tape from the timber should not have any impurities, but often unscrupulous manufacturers use low-quality raw materials. Make sure that there are no chemical additives in the product you are interested in, for example, polyester, capron. Quality material is 100% natural. The presence of synthetic additives over time leads to the decay of the interventional joint between the logs and the gradual appearance of putrefactive fungi.

Price of jute insulation

A uniform jute tape with high performance almost completely eliminates the possibility of double and full caulking walls. Choosing the best products, check out the offers of the modern market. Its cost varies greatly depending on the technical characteristics, country of origin and place of sale:

Advantages and disadvantages of jute fiber

Upon receipt of quality products, combing of jute fibers is carried out by means of a special apparatus, due to which they retain their natural properties and are not torn. The use of such a heater for a bar will help to abandon the caulking of the walls, make filling the cracks between the crowns and the joints between the bars even. Jute is not subject to decay due to the high content of lignin resins, but it does not recover and, when wet, the thermal insulation properties of the material are reduced. Benefits:

• hygroscopicity;
• elasticity;
• high strength;
• uniformity;
• vapor permeability;
• soundproofing;
• resistance to the appearance of fungi, mold;
• environmental friendliness;
• affordable cost.

Having learned the answer to the question, jute – what is it, and having got acquainted with its advantages, pay attention to a number of disadvantages. There is a statement that the birds do not touch the jute and do not make nests from it, because it consists of short fibers, but they peck it with pleasure, because it is a natural material – in fact, grass. Other disadvantages:

• jute is susceptible to attack by mice, insects, which take away the material;
• able to absorb moisture, while it dries very long and poorly;
• relative fragility, as it is a natural material;
• the need for caulking in order to prevent blowing, cold air into the room.