The strength of plant fibres

Page 1

Independent: Source & type of fibre

Dependent: Mass can held

Control:

Length fibre

Size mass

Method:

Plant material left soak

in bucket wateraboutweek for fibres be easily

extracted(retting)/celery stalks left in beaker coloured

water for fibres easily seen & pulled out.

Once fibres removed, connect between

2 clamp stands & gradually add mass in middle until fibre snaps.

Compare with stem to individual fibres from

different plants & different ways of combining fibres eg twists and plaits.

Outcome:

More fibres combined together, stronger.

Evaluation issues:

Using

fibres of the same age (as they get older they become more brittle)

Extracting

whole fibres that are useful

Maintaining

length of fibres

Ensuring consistency when twisting or plaiting

Method