Flax Fiber

1. Flax is also a vegetable fiber. It is used for manufacturing linen and linen thread. The flax fiber is recovered from the inner stem of the plant. This is in marked contrast to cotton, which is obtained from the boll of the cotton plant. The recovery of the flax fibers appears to be much more difficult and involves greater expense. The commonest form of recovery is known to be “retting”. The harvested plants are steeped in water for some time until, through the action of fermentation, the fibers can be readily separated from the woody stem and outer bark. The vegetable gum is dissolved by the action of moisture and heat.

2. All unwanted parts of the plant are than mechanically removed, leaving only the flax fibers. These fibers are made up of numerous filaments, which when separated constitute the raw fibers for manufacture. They range in length from an inch upward and are comparatively fine and strong. The colour of the fibers at this stage is not white.

3. Flax is grown extensively for many centuries in nearly every country in Europe. Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland are known to be the leading flax-producing countries in the world.

4. Linen is expected to be used where strength, luster and absorbing power are desired. For instance, it is employed in toweling for its absorbing power; in decorative covering (table- cloths) both for luster and for stiffness.

5. For all forms of table linens and every purpose-demanding tensile strength and durability, flax is considered to be the best natural fiber.

For the manufacture of a very large range of materials used for household requirements it is considered to be unexcelled.

6. Linen is known to be more expensive then cotton for great deal of care is required in producing the fiber from the stalk and in bleaching the fabric.