Optimizing Warp Sizing Regain and Loom Shed Humidity Balance
Optimizing warp sizing regain and loom shed humidity prevents brittle size film fracture, suppresses friction dusting, and maximizes high-speed weaving efficiency.
Size Film Ductility
Material Flexibility
Coating elasticity describes the ability of a dried sizing agent to stretch without cracking or peeling away from the yarn. High size film ductility is necessary for warp yarns that undergo significant bending and tension during the weaving process. A brittle film will shatter under the stress of the loom, leaving the flax fibres exposed to abrasion.
This property is determined by the specific blend of starches and plasticizers used in the sizing kitchen.
Mechanical Protection
As the loom operates, the warp yarns are pulled tight and then relaxed hundreds of times per minute. The coating on the yarn must be able to follow these movements without losing its integrity. Good size film ductility ensures that the protective layer remains intact from the back beam to the cloth roller.
If the film is too stiff, it will flake off as size dust, which can clog the loom’s components and cause yarn breaks. Lab tests on cast films of the size mix allow the mill to predict how the coating will behave on the loom. Adding fats or oils to the mixture can improve the ductility and the lubricity of the yarn.
Weave Stability
Uniform protection of the warp ends leads to fewer machine stops and a more consistent fabric surface. This quality is a prerequisite for the production of high-density linen fabrics.