Coir Fibre - Methods of Extraction   contd.,

.: Decorticating

- Coconut husks are sprayed with water or husks are soaked for  

   5-6 days.
- Soaked or water sprayed husks are then fed to a machine with

   a rotating beater bars.
- Fibre obtained by this method is a mixture of short, medium and

   long fibres.

- This method is used in Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Vietnam

   and Thailand.

  :: Pros

  - Fibre is bright in colour
 

  :: Cons
  - Quality of fibre not very clean

.: De-Fibering

 - Coconut husks are crushed and soaked for 2-3 weeks or 

   uncrushed husks are soaked for 1-2 months in a pit or tank
 - These soaked husks are then fed to the rotating drum of the

   machine.
 - In the machine the husks are passed through two hackle     

   drums, which separate short fibres, medium fibres and long

   fibres separately. 

- This method is used in India, Sri Lanka
  

  :: Pros
    - Short fibre, Long fibre and pith can be separated – so that it 

      could be used in wide range of applications
    - Productivity very high
    - Can be operated by unskilled labour
    - No risk of accidents and injury to workers
 

  :: Cons
   - Short fibres coming out of the machine need additional  

     cleaning  to improve quality resulting in additional wastage

     and costs.  

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