decorticators

Decorticators are mechanical devices designed to decorticate plant stems, removing the outer bark or cortex to separate bast fiber from the woody core. They are used for bast fiber crops such as flax, hemp, jute, kenaf, and ramie, and are a common first step in commercial fiber processing. By applying grinding, tearing, and abrading actions through rotating drums, knives, or rollers, decorticators crack the stalks and peel away the outer layer, producing clean fiber along with shives that can be used for other products.

Industrial decorticators can be large, motor-driven machines integrated into fiber-processing lines; portable or small-scale units are available for farmers and cooperatives. Most designs feed the harvested stalks in, condition moisture to an optimal level, and separate the long bast fiber from the core. The resulting fiber is typically further processed by scutching, combing, and retting steps to improve fineness and length.

Applications include textile fiber production, rope and twine manufacture, and composite materials for construction or automotive uses. Advantages of decortication include higher throughput, reduced manual labor, and improved fiber yield compared with traditional hand processing. Limitations include the potential for fiber damage if misadjusted, the need for regular maintenance, energy requirements, and the management of processing residues.

Related topics include retting, scutching, and other steps in bast-fiber processing. Historically, decorticators have evolved from simple hand-operated devices to modern, automated machines found in fiber mills around the world.