Determining Flax Fibre Fineness and Area Distribution Parameters
Flax fibre fineness and area distribution parameters govern wet-spinning limits, bundle drafting cohesion, hackling yield, and yarn tenacity.
Fiber Beard Comb Sorting
Measurement Method
Mechanical alignment of flax fibers from a clamped sample fringe yields precise numerical length distributions. Technicians execute fiber beard comb sorting by drawing pin combs through a clamped fiber tuft to eliminate short fragments and measure length groups. This physical test isolates distinct length fractions required for fine wet spinning.
The boundary of application stops at raw unhackled straw that has not undergone initial scutching.
Comb Operation
Initial preparation requires clamping a uniform fiber fringe inside a dual-jaw test fixture. Fine steel combs with standardized pin spacings pass through the projecting fiber beard at regulated speed and controlled depth. Loose fibers drop away into collection containers while bent filaments straighten under mechanical comb action.
Precision analytical balances weigh each length increment collected from successive comb passes to construct a cumulative mass-length distribution curve. Laboratory operators adjust comb row spacing when testing coarse scutched flax to avoid breaking long technical fiber bundles during the sorting cycle. Automated comb sorters record digital profile images that eliminate operator bias in fringe boundary detection.
Yarn Correlation
Fibre length uniformity directly governs the draft ratio achievable on wet spinning frames. Short fiber percentages measured during sorting signal potential yarn hairiness and reduced tensile strength in spun flax counts. Spinning mills record comb sorting results on fiber quality certificates accompanying imported flax bales.
Process engineers utilize the length histogram to calibrate hackling machine pin density and drawing frame settings. High fiber length uniformity allows spinners to produce fine 60s lea linen yarns without encountering draft waves or slub defects.