Flax Fibre Non Cellulosic Content Impact on Hackling Yield
Non-cellulosic content above 3.5% lowers hackling line yield, increasing tow waste and landed line fibre cost per finished metre.
Combing Tow
Processing Byproduct
Short linen fibres removed during the rectification of long flax bundles arrive at the collection point as a valuable secondary material for lower count yarns. While long fibre stays in the vertical formation, combing tow drops through the pins as a tangle of irregular lengths mixed with small bits of shive. This material undergoes separate carding and cleaning stages before it can be spun into robust tow yarns.
The collection of this fibre occurs at the exit of the combing machine where high speeds separate it from the main sliver.
Processing Sequence
Separation happens through repeated pin penetration that gathers the less aligned strands away from the head. Because combing tow retains significant strength despite its shorter staple length, mills often blend it with other natural fibres to create specialty blended fabrics. The efficiency of the initial combing cycle determines how much of this material is generated per kilogram of raw long fibre.
Excess removal reduces long line yield but provides a cleaner feedstock for the secondary spinning line.
Product Application
Finished goods made from this material often include durable canvas or heavy industrial textiles. Because combing tow creates a thicker and more textured yarn, designers use it for its specific visual density and rugged properties. Quality grading depends on the residual shive content and the average staple length remaining after the mechanical extraction.
Efficient handling ensures the consistency of the final tow yarn used in high volume export markets.