Moisture Standard
Standardized oven-drying protocols determine the commercial mass and moisture regain of raw flax and finished yarns by measuring mass loss upon complete desiccation. Compliance with ISO 6741 regain testing establishes an undisputed baseline for commercial weight calculations in international fiber trading. Ventilated drying ovens maintain specimen temperature at one hundred five degrees Celsius until constant mass is achieved.
Official regain percentages add to oven-dry mass to calculate invoice weights.
Desiccation Procedure
Flax fibers absorb atmospheric moisture readily due to abundant hydroxyl groups on cellulose and hemicellulose polymers, causing weight fluctuations during storage and transit. Testing laboratories draw representative samples from fiber bales and weigh them immediately before oven placement. Performing ISO 6741 regain testing involves drying samples to absolute zero moisture content and recording mass changes at fixed time intervals.
Subtracting oven-dry mass from initial weight establishes actual moisture content, which is compared against standard commercial regain allowances for flax. Correcting commercial mass prevents buyers from paying for excess ambient water present in delivered lots.
Commercial Settlement
Trade contracts in Europe and Asia mandate official testing certificates before releasing final invoice payments for bulk fiber shipments. Discrepancies between billed weight and standard commercial weight trigger financial adjustments on delivery invoices. Certified test reports serve as binding legal evidence during trade arbitration.
