Fibre Resistance
Breaking load represents the maximum force a single flax strand withstands before separation during the final spinning preparation stage. Analysts express this value in centinewtons per tex to quantify the load bearing capacity relative to linear density. Mills identify this metric on the quality control report issued after the drawing process to confirm mechanical integrity.
Weakness in the internal structure indicates poor retting control or excessive chemical degradation in the previous soaking phase.
Testing Protocols
Technicians perform this evaluation using a constant rate of extension apparatus to secure repeatable results across batches. Each sample undergoes tension until failure occurs at the weakest link within the gauge length. Operators record the mean force from fifty individual pulls to establish the grade profile for a bale.
Variations between samples reveal inconsistency in the mechanical extraction process or uneven biological decay within the stem.
Procurement Boundaries
Acceptance criteria dictate the minimum force threshold required for yarns intended for high velocity air jet looms. Buyers verify these figures against the mill documentation provided at the point of delivery to ensure suitability for automated manufacturing equipment. Discrepancies between the laboratory data and the performance on the loom reveal deficiencies in the initial classification of the raw crop.
Stability in these physical properties dictates the efficiency of production cycles.
