Dew-Retted Heilongjiang Flax against Imported Water-Retted Bales
Dew-retted Heilongjiang flax provides cost savings for medium counts, while imported water-retted bales deliver the fineness needed for yarn counts above Nm 50.
ISO 1973 Linear Density
Mass Measure
Determination of the mass per unit length of textile fibres provides a standardised metric for assessing fineness using the gravimetric method. The iso 1973 linear density measurement uses a known length of fibre, often cut to a specific size, and weighs it on a precision balance to calculate the value in decitex or denier. Laboratory data for this value functions as a primary indicator of the potential yarn count that a batch of flax can achieve.
Calculation Procedure
Laboratory technicians carefully align a bundle of parallel fibres before cutting them to a length such as 10 or 20 millimetres. By weighing these cut segments, the iso 1973 linear density is calculated as the total mass divided by the total length of all individual fibres. Fine flax fibres yield lower numerical values in decitex, which translates to a softer hand and higher value in the apparel market.
Chinese spinning mills use this data to adjust their drawing frames, as thinner fibres require different roller settings to prevent uneven drafting.
Application Range
The method applies specifically to individual fibres or small bundles rather than finished threads. It provides the baseline for predicting the uniformity and strength of the resulting linen yarn.