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American Institute of Marine Underwriters |
Commodity Search Form
KAPOK
- Description: The Dutch name for a fiber obtained from trees grown in the East Indies and certain other regions. Generally used for upholstery, bedding purposes, and for stuffing lifejackets. If damaged by moisture or odors, the bales should immediately be opened and the contents dried, which should improve the quality and eliminate the smell. The kapok should then realize a higher price. Low-grade kapok may contain sweepings and rotten fibers, and occasionally may be mixed with used kapok from old furniture upholstery. Kapok is easily ignited. Combustion is very slow and without flame. When combustion is sufficient, the intensity of the heat bursts the bale and blazing kapok may be strewn over other kapok bales. Spontaneous combustion is unusual. Dampness or wetting may cause a musty smell, but this disappears when dried. Kapok is the fine, silkily lustrous fruit fibers from the fruit walls of the capsules, 10 - 20 cm in length and 3 cm in thickness, of the kapok tree. Originally native to South America, it is now to be found in all tropical countries. Growing to a height of 50 m, kapok trees are among the tallest of tropical rain forest trees. The kapok hairs, 10 - 35 mm in length, which are plant hairs, are brittle and only spinnable when blended with cotton. The fibers are thermally insulating and water-repellent. Kapok fibers may be white, light gray, yellowish to brown and lustrous. They are also known as ceiba or Java cotton.
- Index: 416
- Commodity Name: KAPOK