Fiber Protection
Chemical coating processes apply protective film-forming agents to single warp yarns to increase abrasion resistance and tensile strength during manufacturing. Textile technicians execute warp sizing before loading flax warp beams onto high-speed rapier machinery. The process bonds surface fibers down to yarn cores using starch or synthetic polymer solutions.
It stops applying when protective sizing agents are washed out during wet fabric desizing.
Protective Coating
Applying protective film coatings to spun flax yarns prevents fiber chafing and reduces yarn shedding under friction. Success in warp sizing depends on precise control of sizing box temperature, squeeze roller pressure and drying cylinder heat. Flax fibers are inherently stiff and hairy, requiring tailored sizing formulations containing modified starches and lubricants to impart flexibility without embrittling yarns.
Impregnated sizing paste increases warp end tensile strength while reducing hairiness, allowing yarns to slide past drop wires and heddles smoothly. Excessively high size pick-up makes yarn brittle, while low size pick-up results in severe fiber chafing and warp breaks during manufacturing. Sized warp beams undergo moisture content testing to ensure target regain levels before transfer to drawing-in departments.
Material Preparation
Quality control checks monitor size pick-up percentage and yarn elongation retention across sample warp ends. Improperly sized warp beams that exceed hardness limits undergo re-conditioning before machine mounting. Preparation concludes when sized beams pass quality release protocols.