Composition Measurement
Laboratory testing of blended textiles determines the exact percentage by weight of each constituent fibre type. In the linen industry, quantitative fibre analysis is used to verify the purity of flax blends and detect adulteration with cheaper materials. This test typically involves chemical dissolution where one fibre is dissolved while the other remains intact.
The remaining residue is then dried and weighed. This procedure is standardized under ISO guidelines to ensure consistency across different commercial testing laboratories. The results are used to generate official analysis reports that confirm the compliance of the linen products with global trade regulations.
Chemical Method
Selective dissolution uses specific chemical solvents to isolate the different fibres in a blended fabric sample. For a flax and cotton blend, standard test methods dictate the use of sulfuric acid or cupriethylenediamine to dissolve the cotton. The insoluble flax portion is then washed and dried in an oven.
This chemical process must be performed carefully to avoid degrading the remaining flax fibres.
Compliance Certification
Accurate laboratory reports are required to satisfy international textile labeling laws and buyer specifications. If the tested blend ratio deviates from the declared value by more than the allowed tolerance, the shipment may be rejected. Chinese mills provide these test certificates with every batch of linen yarn or fabric exported.
This verification process ensures transparency in the global supply chain.
