Biometrical properties of hornbeam fibers from Astara

This research was performed to investigate fiber biometrical properties (length, diameter and fiber thickness) of hornbeam species from Astara in Iran. Initially, disks were prepared with three trees of hornbeam species and then fiber isolation was carried out using Franklin method. Length, diameter and wall thickness of fiber provided were determined by laboratory microscope using eye scaled lens. The measurement of fiber dimensions was made at the pith region and at the distances of 2,6,12 and 15 centimeters and four geographical sides. The results indicated that length, diameter and wall thickness of fiber increased significantly with enhance of distance from pith. The highest fiber length, diameter and wall thickness obtained were 1.509 mm, 23.93 µm and 3.897 µm, respectively. The consequences attained from changing of fiber dimensions at various distances from pith to bark indicated that fiber dimensions change decreased by increase in distance from pith up to 15 cm and the highest change of fiber was observed at distance of 2-6 cm from pith. The results of measuring the fiber dimensions at various geographical sides didnt indicate any significant deference between the values of fiber length, diameter and wall thickness at 1% level of probability. The combined effects of distance from pith and different geographical sides also did not show any significant deference on fiber dimensions.