INTRODUCTION
Flax is a bast fibre found in the stem of the plant. The plant is cultivated in cold and humid condition.
So the plantation is centered in cold countries.
The major source of supply of the flax is from old USSR.
The other countries which have flax growing areas are north ireland, egypt, japan, Argentina, brazil, France, USA, Australia, Canada and new Zealand.
Other name for flax is “Linen”.
PROPERTIES OF FLAX FIBRE
Linen fibre is the strongest fibre available from natural origin. This is due to presence of higher crystalline regions like 80-90%.
The average length of the fibre varies from 90-125cm having an average diameter of 14-25 microns.
The tensile strength of the fibre varies from 6.5 gm/den-8.0 gm/den.
The density is 1.50 gm/cc.
The moisture regain is 12%. Due to high crystalline areas, the fibre strength is not sensitive to moisture, i.e the wet strength and dry strength remains same.
These fibres are resistant to micro-organisms like fungus, alkalis like sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate at boil.
The fibre is resistant to dilute acids.
However, hydrocellulose is formed due to hydrolysis action of dilute acids at boiling conditions or strong concentrated mineral acids.
Oxycellulose is generally formed by the action of oxidising agents.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF FLAX FIBRE
Effect of Acids: Linen fiber is damaged by highly densified acids but low dense acids does not affect if it is wash instantly after application of acids.
Effects of Alkalis: Linen has an excellent resistance to alkalis. It does not affected by the strong alkalis.
Effects of Bleaching Agents: Cool chlorine and hypo-chlorine bleaching agent does not affect the linen fiber properties.
Effect of Organic Solvent: Linen fiber has high resistance to normal cleaning solvents.
Effect of Micro Organism: Linen fiber is attacked by fungi and bacteria. Mildews will feed on linen fabric, rotting and weakling the materials. Mildews and bacteria will flourish on linen under hot and humid condition. They can be protected by impregnation with certain types of chemicals. Copper Nepthenate is one of the chemical.
Effects of Insects: Linen fiber does not attacked by moth-grubs or beetles.
Dyes: It is not suitable to dye. But it can be dye by direct and vat dyes.
END USES
These fibres are used for household clothing, fabrics, laces, sheeting’s, canvas, threads, twines, paper making and certain industrial applications like fire hoses.
APPARELS: - Dresses, suits, separates, skirts, jackets, pants, blouses, shirts, children's wear etc…HOME FASHION:- Curtains, draperies, upholstery, bedspreads, table linens, sheets, dish towels etc.
REFERENCES
1. A Textbook of Fiber Science and Technology – S.P Mishra
2. Textiles : Fiber to Fabric by Bernard P Corbman
By:
Mr. Kiran Kumar. P
(Asst. Senior Professor, Textiles)
Garden City University
Bengaluru
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