ICAR-NINFET

About the Laboratory

The Fibre Quality Testing Laboratory, accredited by NABL, specializes in quality testing and grading jute and other natural fibers. Within its facilities are mechanical grading instruments such as bundle strength testers and airflow fineness meters, along with a Gravimetric fineness tester. Additionally, the laboratory is equipped with BIS approved digital grading instrument i.e., bundle strength testers, digital fineness testers, and color and lustre meters, ensuring accurate, reliable, and objective fiber analysis. Further, there are also multifibre testing instruments. Through meticulous testing and precise measurements, the Fiber Testing Laboratory upholds industry standards, facilitates innovation, and fosters the development of high-quality fibers for a myriad of applications.

Mandate

· Quality evaluation and grading of natural fibres using instrumental method

· Calibration of instate developed mechanical as well as digital grading instruments

Nature of work

· Conducting a range of tests to assess the quality, strength, fineness, and other essential characteristics of fibers.

· Grading of jute fibre as per BIS standard (IS: 271 (2020), IS: 7032(1986))

Instruments and Equipment available

Sl.	Instrument/ Equipment	Remarks
1	Name of the instrument	Mechanical bundle strength tester
2	Model	NINFET-FBST-01
3	Test Parameters	Bundle strength of fibre
4	Sample Specification	500 g

Sl.	Instrument/ Equipment	Remarks
1	Name of the instrument	Air Flow Fineness tester
2	Model	NINFET-AFT-01
3	Test Parameters	Fineness of fibre
4	Sample Specification	500 g

Sl.	Instrument/ Equipment	Remarks
1	Name of the instrument	Gravimetric fineness tester
2	Model	NINFET-TE-GFT-01
3	Test Parameters	Fineness of fibre
4	Sample Specification	500 g

Sl.	Instrument/ Equipment	Remarks
1	Name of the instrument	Automatic Electronic Bundle strength tester
2	Model	NINFET-AFBST-MF-01
3	Test Parameters	Fineness of fibre
4	Sample Specification	500 g

Sl.	Instrument/ Equipment	Remarks
1	Name of the instrument	Digital fineness tester
2	Model	NINFET-DFM-MF-01
3	Test Parameters	Fineness of fibre
4	Sample Specification	500 g

Sl.	Instrument/ Equipment	Remarks
1	Name of the instrument	Digital Colour and Lustre meter
2	Model	NINFET-DCLM-MF-01
3	Test Parameters	Colour and lustre of fibre
4	Sample Specification	20 reeds of fibre

Contact Person

Dr. Avijit Das

Head, QE&I Division

ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata

Email: avijitcrri@gmail.com

About the Laboratory

This division have the facilities of

1. Pulp and Paper Laboratory.

2. Bleaching and Dyeing laboratory.

3. Paper and Bio Composite Testing Laboratory.

4. Pilot Plant for making Pulp-Paper & Particle Board.

5. Pilot Plant for Bleaching and Dyeing of yarn and fabric.

Chemical and Bio-chemical Laboratory contains instrument for the testing of paper, particle board, dyed fabric/ yarn, composite by the advance instruments like - Instron, Xenotest, Tensile Strength tester, Folding Endurance, Crease Recovery etc.

Mandate

§ To improve the quantity of product from jute and allied fibres by advanced chemical processing techniques like bleaching, dyeing, printing & finishing.

§ To identity & develop diversified product like handmade paper, composites, particle boards from jute & allied fibre residues.

§ To impart skill development programs on processing of jute & allied fibers and by- products utilisation.

Nature of Work

§ Scouring, Bleaching & Dyeing of yarn and fabric.

§ Bleaching of different Ligno-Cellulosic pulp.

§ Preparation of pulp and paper from different Ligno-Cellulosic pulp.

§ Preparation of different Hand Made paper product, i.e. file, folder, jewellery box etc.

§ Preparation of particle board from different natural resources.

§ Preparation of composite material.

Instrument and Equipment available:

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	GSM measuring apparatus.
2.	Model	UE POONA-4
3.	Test parameters	GSM
4.	Sample Specification	10 cm X 10 cm

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	TENSILE STRENGTH tester for paper
2.	Model	UEC-1005 D
3.	Test parameters	Tensile Strength
4.	Sample Specification	15mm x 150 mm

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	Folding Endurance tester for paper
2.	Model	Uec-1007 B
3.	Test parameters	Folding Strength
4.	Sample Specification	15mm X 50 mm

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	Bursting Strength tester for paper
2.	Model	UEC -1010 D
3.	Test parameters	Bursting Strength
4.	Sample Specification	10cm X 10 cm

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	Tearing Strength tester for paper
2.	Model	TYPE B
3.	Test parameters	Tearing Strength
4.	Sample Specification	70mm X 50 mm, 04 No. samples required for each testing

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	INSTRON
2.	Model	5967
3.	Test parameters	Testing of Composites (Tensile / Flexural/ ILSS)
4.	Sample Specification	30cm X 30 cm 05No. samples required for each testing

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	INSTRON
2.	Model	5967
3.	Test parameters	TESTING OF Particle Board (Tensile / Flexural/ ILSS)
4.	Sample Specification	30cm X 30 cm, 05No. samples required for each testing

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	CREASE RECOVERY
2.	Model	IS 4681
3.	Test parameters	Crease recovery of fabric
4.	Sample Specification	5 m²

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	FABRIC STIFFNESS
2.	Model	ASTM D 1388
3.	Test parameters	Bending Length
4.	Sample Specification	2 m²

Sl.	Instrument / Equipment	Remarks
1.	Name of the instrument	XENOTEST
2.	Model	ISO 105 B-02
3.	Test parameters	Light Fastness Testing
4.	Sample Specification	30 X 30 cm

Contact person:

Dr. D. P. RAY,

Head of Department

Chemical and Bio-Chemical Division

E-mail: debprasad.ray@icar.gov.in

About the Laboratory

The Yarn and Fabric Quality Testing Laboratory, accredited by NABL, specializes in quality testing and grading jute and other natural fibers. Within its facilities are mechanical grading instruments such as bundle strength testers and airflow fineness meters, along with a Gravimetric fineness tester. Additionally, the laboratory is equipped with BIS approved digital grading instrument i.e., bundle strength testers, digital fineness testers, and color and lustre meters, ensuring accurate, reliable, and objective fiber analysis. Further, there are also multifibre testing instruments. Through meticulous testing and precise measurements, the Fiber Testing Laboratory upholds industry standards, facilitates innovation, and fosters the development of high-quality fibers for a myriad of applications.

Mandate

§ Quality evaluation and grading of natural fibres using instrumental method

§ Calibration of instate developed mechanical as well as digital grading instruments

Nature of work

§ Conducting a range of tests to assess the quality, strength, fineness, and other essential characteristics of fibers.

§ Grading of jute fibre as per BIS standard (IS: 271 (2020), IS: 7032(1986))

Instruments and Equipment available

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Yarn linear density tester

The wrap reel test, also known as the skein or hank reel test, is a widely used method for measuring the length and calculating the count of a yarn. This test is commonly performed on spun yarns and is crucial for ensuring consistency and accuracy in yarn production.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Yarn twist tester

A yarn twist tester determines the twist in a yarn by twisting a fixed length of the yarn until it kinks or unravels. The number of turns required to cause the kink or unravelling is measured and used to calculate the yarn's twist per unit length.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Yarn hairiness tester

A yarn hairiness tester is a specialized instrument used to quantify the degree of hairiness in a yarn. Hairiness refers to the presence of short fibers, or "hairs," that protrude from the surface of the main yarn structure. A yarn hairiness tester measures the number and length of protruding fibers (hairs) from the surface of a yarn.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Yarn evenness tester

A yarn evenness tester, also known as a yarn evenness testing machine or yarn imperfection tester, is a specialized device used to measure and quantify the irregularities or variations in the thickness and quality of a yarn.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Instron universal testing machine

Yarn strength is measured commonly using Instron universal testing machine by pulling the yarn between the clamps and by measuring the breaking force.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Fabric thickness tester

A fabric thickness tester typically employs a mechanical or electronic mechanism to measure the distance between two parallel plates or anvils under a specified pressure

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Porometer

Gurley Porosity test: The Gurley porosity test measures the time required for a specified volume of air to pass through a fabric sample under specific conditions. This method is particularly suitable for fabrics with relatively low air permeability.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Air permeability tester

The air permeability test for fabric is conducted to measure the ease with which air can pass through a fabric. The test helps assess the fabric's porosity and its ability to allow air to pass through under controlled conditions.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Digital bursting tester

Bursting strength is a mechanical property that measures the ability of a material, such as a non-woven fabric, to withstand pressure without bursting or breaking. The specimen is properly clamped and is the pressure of the fabric is gradually increased at a controlled rate until the fabric bursts or ruptures.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Abrasion tester

The abrasion test for non-woven fabrics assesses the material's resistance to wear and abrasion under controlled conditions. This test is important for evaluating the fabric's durability, longevity, and ability to withstand friction and rubbing forces.

Sl.

Instrument/ Equipment

Remarks

1

Name of the instrument

Flammability tester

A flammability test for fabric is conducted to assess the material's response to ignition and its ability to propagate flames.

Contact person:

Dr. Sanjoy Debnath

Head of Department

Mechanical Processing Division

E-mail: sanjoy.debnath@icar.gov.in

About the Laboratory:

Geotextile laboratory provides the testing of Geotextile material either woven or nonwoven and geosynthetic material. There are various of testing facilities is available such as apparent opening size tester (AOS), In plane water permeability tester, Gradient Ratio tester, Cone drops tester and Direct shear/ pull out resistance tester in our Geotextile laboratory.

Instrument and Equipment available:

Sl.

Instrument / Equipment

Remarks

1.

Name of the instrument

Cone drops tester

To determine the resistance of Geotextile to penetration by a steel cone dropped from height. The degree of penetration is an indication of the behaviour of the geotextile when sharp stones are dropped on its surface.

Sl.

Instrument / Equipment

Remarks

1.

Name of the instrument

Direct shear tester

The frictional shearing resistance at the interface between the soil and the Geotextile enables the geotextile to resist pullout failure and allows tensile forces to be carried by the soil/ geotextile composite structure.

There are two conventional laboratory tests to determine the frictional behaviour of geotextile: -

1. Test method for measuring geosynthetic pullout resistance in soil.

2. Test method for determining the co- efficient of soil and geosynthetic or geosynthetic and geosynthetic friction by direct shear method

Sl.

Instrument / Equipment

Remarks

1.

Name of the instrument

Apparent opening size Tester

This test method is used to indicate the apparent opening size in a geotextile, which reflects the approximate largest opening dimension available for soil to pass through.

Sl.

Instrument / Equipment

Remarks

1.

Name of the instrument

In plane water permeability Tester

This test is necessary for drainage application. The permeameters can be of parallel flow or radial flow type. In-plane permeability is known as transmissivity which is defined as the volumetric rateof flow per unit width of geotextile and unit hydraulic head.

Sl.

Instrument / Equipment

Remarks

1.

Name of the instrument

Gradient ratio Tester

This test is necessary for filtration i.e. Soil- geotextile system permeability and clogging potential – the tendency for fabric to lose permeability due to soil particles that have either lodged in the fabric opening or have restrictive layer on the surface of the fabric.

Contact Person:

Er. Manisha Hanuamant Jagadale

Scientist, Mechanical Processing Division

Email- Manisha.jagadale@icar.gov.in

Mandate

§ Quality evaluation and grading of natural fibres using instrumental method

§ Calibration of instate developed mechanical as well as digital grading instruments

Machinery and Equipment:

Softener

Softening of raw jute streak by mechanical flexing with pressure or partial splitting of jute streak by coarse gilling.

Breaker carding machine

Splitting for filamentation as well as mixing of different grade of fibres by multiple folding of spreader sliver and sliver formation. Breaker cards are generally down striking and half circular.

Finisher carding machine

The objective of finisher card is to make the sliver regular and uniform in length and weight. The slivers also get further attenuated and equalisation of fibre takes place at the successive working zones between workers and cylinder roller.

All fibres become parallel to each other. In this operation, thinning of sliver occurs at the delivery end. This process reduces the sliver irregularity by doubling. The parts are retaining roller (to retain the fibre), drawing roller, gill comb (which has spikes to control the fibre movement, also known as gill drawing).

Yarn formation by twisting the fibre bundle on an apron draft/ slip draft flyer spinning machine and winding of yarn is done by bobbins.

Handlooms

Handlooms are characterized by their manual operation, where the weaver uses physical effort to create interlocking threads, forming the fabric. The major parts of handloom include loop frame, warp beam, heddles, shuttle and reed and the important steps in handloom weaving are warping, threading, weaving, beating and tying off.

Power Loom

A power loom is a mechanized weaving machine used for producing fabrics on a larger scale compared to handlooms. Advantages of power loom are higher productivity, cost-effectiveness, consistency, uniformity and can create complex patterns including intricate designs and patterns through dobby or jacquard shedding mechanisms.

Non-woven laboratory

Mechanical bonding

Needle punching is a widely used mechanical bonding technique in non-woven fabric production. It is a process for converting webs of fibre into coherent fabric structures, normally by means of barbed needles, which produce mechanical bonds within the web.

Thermal bonding

A blend of fusible fibre having very low melting point, with jute fibre is passed through hot calendar rollers, where fusible fibres melt and form bonds.

Adhesive bonding

The chemical bonding method is a technique used to create non-woven fabrics from jute fibers by applying chemicals that promote bonding and cohesion between the fibers.

Contact person:

Dr. Sanjoy Debnath

Head of Department

Mechanical Processing Division

E-mail: sanjoy.debnath@icar.gov.in

The fibre extraction machinery shed houses the different fibre extraction machineries viz. Gender friendly power ribboner, Flax Fibre Extractor, Banana pseudo-stem fibre extractor, Pineapple Leaf Fibre Extractor, Sisal Leaf Fibre Extractor etc.

The detail features of the developed and commercialized extractors are mentioned below:

Machinery Name		Gender Friendly Power Ribonner
Throughput capacity	:	85 to 200 kg/h
Extraction efficiency	:	85-95%
Power requirement	:	0.74 kW (Single phase)
Labour requirement	:	2 person/day
Cost of the machine	:	Rs. 1,10,000/-
Design registration No.	:	371068-001
Licensed to	:	M/s Joy Maa Tara Enterprise, Kolkata

Machinery Name		Flax Fibre Extractor
Throughput capacity	:	45-50 kg/h
Extraction efficiency	:	85-90%
Power Requirement	:	1.0 hp (Single phase)
Labour requirement	:	2 person/day
Cost of machine	:	Rs. 1,21,000/-
Design registration No.	:	351892-001
Licensed to	:	M/s Paul Engineering Works, Kolkata

Machinery Name		Banana Pseudo-stem Fibre Extractor
Throughput capacity	:	100 to 120 kg/h
Extraction efficiency	:	85-90%
Power Requirement	:	3.0 hp (Three-phase)
Labour requirement	:	2 person/day
Cost of machine	:	Rs. 1,30,000/-
Design registration No.	:	450646
Licensed to	:	M/s Joy Maa Tara Enterprise, Kolkata

Machinery Name		Pineapple Leaf Fibre Extractor
Throughput capacity	:	35 to 40 kg/h
Extraction efficiency	:	85-90%
Power Requirement	:	1.0 hp (Single phase)
Labour requirement	:	2 person/day
Cost of machine	:	Rs. 1,40,000/-
Patent No.	:	433203
Licensed to	:	M/s Joy Maa Tara Enterprise, Kolkata

Machinery Name		Sisal Leaf Fibre Extractor
Throughput capacity	:	50 to 60 kg/h
Extraction efficiency	:	85-90%
Power requirement	:	2.0 hp (Single phase)
Labour requirement	:	2 person/day
Cost of the machine	:	Rs. 1,50,000/-
Patent No.	:	467849
Licensed to	:	M/s Joy Maa Tara Enterprise, Kolkata

Contact person:

Dr. L.K. Nayak

Head of Department

Transfer of Technology Division

E-mail: laxmikanta.nayak@icar.gov.in

Facilities

Facilities