Environmental Control
Atmospheric moisture levels within the production hall influence the physical properties and processing efficiency of flax yarns during the weaving stage. In the weaving shed humidity must be maintained at a high level to prevent the linen from becoming brittle and breaking under tension, as flax is a hygroscopic fiber that gains strength as its moisture content increases.
Moisture Effect
Maintaining a consistent environment reduces the build-up of static electricity and prevents the fibers from fraying. When the air becomes too dry the yarn loses its elasticity and the number of loom stops increases. This leads to a higher frequency of defects and a lower overall efficiency for the weaving machines.
Conversely, excessive moisture can lead to the growth of mold or mildew if the fabric is not dried quickly after production. The relationship between the air temperature and the moisture content is recorded in the daily mill logs.
Efficiency Metric
Production managers track the correlation between moisture levels and the hourly output of the looms. High stability in the weaving shed humidity ensures that the fabric dimensions remain constant as the cloth is rolled onto the beam. This control is vital for producing linen that meets the strict width requirements of international buyers.
