Sisal fiber:

The sisal fibre is traditionally used for rope and twine, and has many other uses, including paper, cloth, footwear, hats, bags, carpets, geotextiles, and dartboards. It is also used as fibre reinforcements for composite fibre-glass, rubber and cement products.

Family: Asparagaceae

Species: A. sisalana

Kingdom: Plantae

Biology of Sisal

Sisal is a member of the agave family, which are hardy plants of arid regions of Central America, Mexico and South West USA. In the past, several species of Agave were used for fibre production, but now A. sisalana is the commercially grown species. Henequen (A. fourcroydes) is another species of agave that produces fibre, but not of as high quality as A. sisalana.

Sisal plants consist of a rosette of fleshy leaves growing from a central bud. The leaves are dagger shaped and when mature 1 m to 1.5 m long and about 10 cm wide. Young plants may have minute spines along the edge of the leaf, but they soon loose them, with only the sharp tip remaining. The leaves are heavy, weighing 500 to 700 grams each, 90% of the weight being moisture. Despite the high water content, the fleshy pulp is firm and the leaves are rigid.

The plants grow for 7 to 12 years and then produce a flower stalk 4 to 6 metres tall and die. Although some flowers produce seeds, sisal plants are usually sterile and most propagation is by bulbils produced in the flower stalk, or by suckers that appear at the base of the plant.

Sisal Fibre

Sisal fibre is very long, with an average length of 0.6 to 1.2 m and it is creamy white to yellowish in colour. It is coarse and strong, durable and has the ability to stretch. It also has good insulation properties and it is highly resistant to bacterial damage and to deterioration in saltwater.

The fibre lies along the length of the leaf, being most abundant near the surface of the leaf where it is long and strong. The interior fibres are weaker, and they are usually removed during processing.

c) Cultivation and Harvest of Sisal

Sisal plants grow fast and all year round. The first harvest can be made when the plants are about two years old and they remain productive for 10 to 12 years. Each plant produces 180 to 240 leaves in a lifetime yielding 1 to 4 tonnes of fibre per hectare.

Sisal is a labour intensive crop and it offers employment to rural communities in areas which are often not suitable for other crops. The workers go round the plantation and cut some leaves from each plant every few weeks. They deposit the heavy leaves at the end of rows from where they are taken to a central processing unit. Almost no fertilisers are used in sisal production, they are resilient to disease and most of the weeding is done by hand.

FAQ: 

Is sisal a natural fiber?

Sisal is a natural fibre ( Scientific name Agave sisalana) of Agavaceae (Agave) family yields a stiff fiber traditionally used in making twine and rope. ... Sisal is natural fibre fully biodegradable. It is highly renewable resource of energy.

Is sisal eco friendly?

As a natural fiber, sisal is a renewable and sustainable material. Since sisal is the strongest natural fiber, its rugs last longer than jute, seagrass and other natural fiber options, giving it even more staying power. ... The fibers aren't the only reason a sisal rug is an environmentally friendly choice.

How is sisal harvested?

Our collection of sisal rugs is harvested in superior-grade plantations in Tanzania. The strong sisal fibers are extracted from the plant's long, green leaves, then washed, sun-dried, brushed, graded and bailed on the plantations. ... Every part of the plant is used, making sisal an excellent renewable resource..

What is sisal fiber used for??

It is sometimes referred to as "sisal hemp", because for centuries hemp was a major source for fibre, and other fibre sources were named after it. The sisal fibre is traditionally used for rope and twine, gypsum work and has many other uses, including paper, cloth, footwear, hats, bags, carpets, and dartboards

Where does sisal fiber come from?

Sisal fibres are obtained from Agave Sisalana, a native of Mexico. The hardy plant grows well all year round in hot climate and arid regions which are often unsuitable for other crops. Sisal can be cultivated in most soil types except clay and has low tolerance to very moist and saline soil conditions.

Properties of Sisal Fiber:

1: Sisal Fiber is exceptionally durable with a low maintenance with minimal wear and tear.

2:  It is Recyclable.

3: Sisal fibers are obtained from the outer leaf skin, removing the inner pulp.

4: It is available as plaid, herringbone and twill.

5: Sisal fibers are Anti static, does not attract or trap dust particles and does not absorb moisture or water easily.

6: The fine texture takes dyes easily and offers the largest range of dyed colours of all natural fibers.

7: It exhibits good sound and impact absorbing properties.

8: Its leaves can be treated with natural borax for fire resistance properties.

Chemical Composition of Sisal Fiber:

Cellulose:    65%

Hemicelluloses:  12%

Lignin:   9.9%

Waxes:  2%

Total:    100%

Identification of Sisal Fiber:  Name of fiber

Name of fiber                                Fiber type                             Flame reaction                         Color                        After Burn order

      Sisal                                       Cellulose fiber                   May flair when lit, burn            Soft gray ash             Burning paper or grass

Uses/Application of Sisal Fiber:

From ancient times sisal has been the leading material for agricultural twine because of its strength, durability, ability to stretch, affinity for certain dyestuffs, and resistance to deterioration in saltwater.

1: Sisal is used commonly in the shipping industry for mooring small craft, lashing, and handling cargo.

2:  It is also surprisingly used as the fibre core of the steel wire cables of elevators, being used for lubrication and flexibility purposes. Traditionally sisal was the leading material for agricultural twine or baler twine. Although this has now been overtaken by polypropylene.

3:  It is used in automobile industry with fiberglass in composite materials.

4: Other products developed from sisal fiber include spa products, cat scratching posts, lumbar support belts, rugs, slippers, cloths and disc buffers.

5:  Sisal is used by itself in carpets or in blends with wool and acrylic for a softer hand.