Fiber Examination
The microscopic examination of sliced fiber samples reveals the internal geometry and maturity of individual flax filaments. Utilizing microtome cross-section analysis allows mills to evaluate the cellular structure of raw flax consignments. This structural insight helps spinners predict how the fiber will behave during wet spinning.
The results are stored in the raw material quality database.
Sample Preparation
Technicians embed a bundle of flax fibers in a hard resin matrix before slicing it into extremely thin layers with a sharp steel blade. These ultra-thin sections are then mounted on a glass slide and viewed under a polarizing microscope. This preparation technique ensures that the cell walls remain intact and undistorted by the cutting action.
The clear images allow for precise measurements of fiber diameter and lumen area.
Diagnostic Value
The structural data collected from this test provides the mill with a clear assessment of fiber maturity and fineness. This is recorded in the fiber analysis certificate, which is used to negotiate purchase prices and determine spinning parameters. Since mature fibers have thicker cell walls, they produce stronger yarns that are less likely to break on the loom.
By running microtome cross-section analysis on incoming batches, the spinning mill can blend different flax lots to achieve a highly consistent yarn strength. This prevents costly machine downtime and maintains a high yield of first-quality yarn.
