Some of the properties and characteristics of kapok fiber are:

It is very lightweight, with a density of about 0.3 g/cm3. It is one of the lightest natural fibers in the world1.

It has a hollow structure with a large lumen (the central cavity of the fiber) that occupies about 80% of the fiber volume2.

This makes it very buoyant and resistant to water absorption. It can support up to 30 times its own weight in water1.It is composed of about 64% cellulose, 23% pentose, and 13% lignin2.

Cellulose and pentose are carbohydrates that provide strength and flexibility to the fiber, while lignin is a woody substance that gives rigidity and stability to the fiber.It has a smooth, lustrous, and yellowish-brown color. It has a fineness of 0.4-0.7 denier, which means it is very fine and thin2.

It has no twist and is very brittle, which makes it difficult to spin into yarns.It has good thermal and acoustic insulation properties, as well as hydrophobic (water-repelling) and oleophilic (oil-attracting) properties3.

These properties make it suitable for various applications such as stuffing for pillows, mattresses, cushions, toys, life jackets, soundproofing materials, oil spill cleanup materials, and more.

Kapok fiber is harvested by hand from the ripe pods of the kapok tree. The pods are either cut from the tree or collected from the ground. The pods are then opened and the seeds and fibers are separated by beating or stirring. The fibers are then dried, baled, and packed for further processing2.