Mwaikambo, Leonard Y.; Ansell, Martin P.
Description:
A combination of the Archimedes method and the technique of helium pycnometry was used to perform accurate measurements of porosity and cellulose content. For this purpose, the densities of hemp, sisal, jute and kapok fibers were measured. An equation was developed using the bulk and absolute density of the fiber and the density of pure cellulose to determine the amount of cellulose a particular fiber contains. As a result, true plant fiber porosity and cellulose content were accurately determined.