Physical Measurement
Tex measurements of long flax strands quantify the mass per unit length of the extracted fiber bundles. The calculation of technical bundle linear density is used to determine the spin limit and potential fineness of the yarn that can be produced. This physical characteristic is a primary grading criterion in scutching mills.
Measurement Technique
Laboratory testing uses a standard length of one meter to evaluate the weight of thirty parallel flax bundles. Technicians cut each bundle to the precise length and weigh them collectively on a high-precision digital balance. In accordance with testing protocols, dividing the total weight by the total length gives the technical bundle linear density expressed in millitex.
The resulting value is logged on the raw flax lot certificate, which accompanies each shipment to the spinning mill. High density values indicate coarse bundles that cannot be drawn into fine warp yarn.
Spinning Adaptation
Drafting settings on the spinning frame are adjusted according to the density of the incoming roving. Coarser fibre bundles require more intensive drafting and higher water temperatures to slide effectively during wet spinning. The mill’s process engineer uses the density logs to configure the roller gaps and pressure settings on the production line.
