Linear Density
Measurement defines the weight per unit length of a continuous strand within textile manufacturing. Yarn tex specifies the mass in grams for one thousand meters of a single or plied strand. Technicians use this numerical designation during the spinning phase to determine the thickness of flax roving before it enters the drawing frames.
Quality control laboratories record this metric on internal production dockets to ensure consistency across separate batches of linen output. A lower value indicates a finer diameter while a higher value denotes a heavier and coarser strand.
Testing Protocol
Laboratory technicians verify this value by reeling exactly one hundred meters of product from a bobbin onto a standardized swift. Weighing this specimen on a calibrated analytical balance produces the base data for the calculation. Multiplying the result by ten converts the hundred meter weight into the required grams per kilometer format.
This method avoids the variations inherent in manual measurement of diameter because mass provides a more stable constant for processing. Industrial standards mandate these tests occur under strictly controlled humidity to prevent atmospheric moisture from skewing the final mass report.
Commercial Application
Export agreements rely upon this classification to define the specific grade of linen shipped from the mill to international buyers. Documentation attached to shipping containers lists the tex value alongside the staple length and fibre purity to verify the contents against the purchase contract. Buyers compare the stated number against their own incoming inspection results to confirm the mill delivered the agreed grade.
Differences between the recorded mill standard and the actual receipt weight indicate a drift in machine calibration or a failure in the raw material supply chain. Precise numeric verification keeps the commercial exchange honest by removing subjectivity from the assessment of final product quality.
