Properties
of Flax Fiber
Yashashree Ingle
Department of Textile
Technology
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Mumbai ,Maharashtra, India.
Chemical Composition:
- Cellulose-65-70%
- Pectin Substance-20-25%
- Woody and Cuticular tissues- 4.5%
- Ash-1%
Chemical Characteristics:
- Cellulose- 85%
- Hemi Cellulose- 9%
- Lignen- 4%
- Ash- 1%
Physical Characteristics of Flax Fiber:
- Density- 1.4 gm/cc
- Standard Moisture regain- 10 to 12%
- Diameter of stem – 2 to 3 mm
- Tenacity- 6 to 8.5 gm/ den
- Elongation
- Wet-1.8%
- Dry-2.2%
Fig- Flax before fiber extraction
Chemical properties of Flax Fiber:
Action of
acids and alkalis:
- Acid have same effect on linen as cotton, concentrated strong acids like sulphuric acids, hydrochloric and nitric acid destroy fibers.
- Dilute acids tends to weaken fibers
- The flax fiber is attacked more readily by alkalies than cotton weak alkalies like borax, aluminium do not injure linen.
Affinity for
Dyestuffs:
- It requires special dyes because of the hardness and less penetrability of fiber.
- Linen yarn often being of uneven thickness will dye somewhat unevenly and this fact gives the natural look quality.
Reaction to
Bleaches:
- Linen does not stain as readily as cotton but it is difficult to bleach. It gets weakened by sodium hypochlorite bleaches.
Effect of Organic Solvent:
- Flax is adversely affected by dry cleaning solvents in common use.
Physical properties of Flax Fiber:
Length of
fiber:
- It ranges in length up to 90 cm
Luster:
- It has characteristic silky luster.
Strength:
- Linen is stronger than cotton and its tensile strength increases when the fiber is in wet condition.
- Over retting weakens the fiber appreciably.
Absorbency:
- It absorbs moisture and dries more quickly than cotton.
Heat
conductivity:
- Linen is better than cotton as conductor of heat. It carries away heat away from the body faster.
- Hence garment made from linen feel cooler than those of comparable weight in cotton.
Shrinkage:
- Linen does not shrink a great deal, infact it shrinks less than cotton.
Drapability:
- Linen has more body than cotton and hence drape somewhat more than cotton.
Elasticity:
- Linen has no significant elasticity, in fact it is least elastic of natural fibers.
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