Surface Refinement
The chemical treatment of linen textiles with specialized proteins targets and removes protruding micro-fibrils from the yarn surface. Conducting enzymatic cellulase biopolishing during the finishing stage yields a cleaner fabric face with reduced hairiness. This process hydrolyzes the weakened surface fibers without damaging the main yarn body.
The resulting fabric exhibits a softer handle and improved drape.
Reaction Control
Controlling the temperature, acidity, and duration of the bath is necessary to prevent excessive fiber degradation. If the enzymatic cellulase biopolishing treatment runs too long or at an incorrect pH level, the enzymes will attack the cellulose in the primary cell walls of the flax. This over-processing severely weakens the yarn structure.
Technicians must terminate the reaction by raising the temperature or adding alkaline agents to deactivate the enzymes.
Tensile Evaluation
Quality control teams measure the loss in fabric weight and tensile strength after the treatment to confirm that the reaction remained within safe parameters. They record these results in the wet finishing log, comparing them against the buyer’s acceptance criteria. A strength loss exceeding ten percent typically triggers a rejection of the batch, as the linen would become prone to tearing during garment manufacturing.
By balancing the cosmetic improvement against the strength loss, the mill produces a high-quality finished linen that meets commercial durability standards. This careful titration maintains the commercial value of the finished cloth.
