Fiber Samples from the "Fibrary"

The artifact of the month for July are three samples of fibers that are part of the Fiber Identification Library: Engelmann Spruce, Kozo, and Abaca. 

Fibers

Fibers are long, thin structures inside of a plant, primarily composed of cellulose and lignin. After being removed from the plant, fibers undergo a process called pulping, either mechanically or chemically, to remove the lignin and break down the raw material. This pulped fiber is then added to a vat of water, thoroughly hydrated, and ready for a sheet of paper to be pulled.

The sample on the left is Engelmann Spruce (Picea Engelmannii). It is a softwood tree used for making pulp and paper at the commercial level. Though these trees are also used for musical instruments and occasionally as Christmas trees.

The middle sample is Kozo (Broussonetia Papyrifera), also known as Paper Mulberry. Kozo is a non-wood bast fiber. Kozo fibers are strong and flexible making them ideal for fine, translucent paper such as Japanese Washi paper.

The sample on the right is Abaca (Musa Textilis), also known as Manilla Hemp, a non-wood leaf fiber that is part of the banana family. It is strong and flexible leading it to be used for sturdy paper products such as tea bags, currency, and banknotes. It enters the paper industry either directly from the plant or in the form of old rope or linters. Old rope and linters are both more ideal as they have higher percentages of cellulose in them.

The Fibrary

The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking is home to the Fiber Identification Library. It began as part of the Institute of Paper Chemistry in 1950 and was managed by Dr. Irving H. Isenberg (1909–2002). Isenberg coined the term “Fibrary” for this comprehensive collection of fibers which has been  used as comparison standards for microscopic examination, furthering the research into fibers for papermaking. At its peak in 1974, the Fibrary” had 662 samples.

If you like this, make sure to visit the fiber display case in the Mead Gallery to learn about other fibers used in papermaking!!