Finishing Composition
Liquid mixtures of hydrolyzed starches and supplementary binding agents coat yarn strands during the weaving preparation stage to provide mechanical stability. Starch size effectively masks surface hairiness on flax fibres by embedding protruding fibrils into a protective film layer. This application reduces friction between individual yarns and prevents breakage against the loom reed or heddles during the high speed mechanical process of shedding and picking.
Accurate application maintains consistent warp tension across the width of the fabric regardless of humidity fluctuations on the mill floor.
Performance Expectation
Mills measure the concentration of these adhesive formulations in grams per litre to verify that the pickup rate meets the requirements of the subsequent weaving schedule. Excess deposition leads to brittle yarns that snap under mechanical stress while insufficient coverage fails to protect the material from abrasion against metal machine parts. Quality control technicians verify the solids content of the sizing bath through refractometry before the slurry enters the troughs.
Data regarding these viscosity and concentration levels appear in the daily production logs that accompany every batch of warp beams throughout the factory.
Verification Protocol
Chemical adherence testing establishes the effectiveness of the protective layer applied to linen warp ends before the yarn enters the loom. Standard laboratory procedures quantify the removal rate of the film after scouring to ensure that no residues interfere with dyeing or finishing treatments. These test results serve as the primary evidence for the physical condition of the fibre when the material moves toward the final finishing stages.
A uniform film thickness across the yarn surface remains the absolute requirement for maintaining structural integrity during the conversion from raw yarn to finished cloth.
