Description
A fabric woven from the bast fibers of the flax plant, especially from the Linen usitatissimum plant native to the Mediterranean region and the Atlantic coast of Europe. Flax has been cultivated for its fibers since before 8000 BCE in Syria and Iran (Khartasia 2012). To obtain the fibers, the flax plants are harvested, dried, retted, crushed, then washed and cleaned. Flax fibers are yellowish to gray in color. They are thinner and longer than cotton, but the fiber tube has thicker walls resulting in a stronger thread. Microscopically, linen fibers have knots and joints that are not seen on cotton. Flax is used to make linen cloth as well as for shoe thread, bookbinding thread, fish line, twine, and paper. Linen cloth has long been preferred as canvases for easel painting because it is durable, lightweight, and accepts paint well.
Synonyms and Related Terms
flax (Linen usitatissimum); lin (Fr.); Leinen (Deut.); linnen (Ned.); linne (Sven.); lino (Esp.)
Other Properties
Resistant to alkali, dilute acid, most organic solvents. Degrades in strong acids. Elongation = 1.8% (dry); 2.2% (wet); Moisture regain = 12%; Fiber length = 6-65 mm; Fiber width = 8-32 microns; Chlorine test stains linen fibers a bright red. Nodes are distributed randomly along the fiber length with some crossing to form x or v shapes.
Linen burns but is difficult to ignite; the flame is readily extinguish by blowing. Heated fabric adjacent to the burnt area is very brittle. Ash is readily crumbled.
Hazards and Safety
Degrades slowly in sunlight and temperatures above 120C. Combustible. Resistant to mildew, insects and pests. Silverfish will eat starched flax.
Additional Information
° Khartasia Database of Asian Paper Materials by CRCC: Linum-usitatissimum (L.)
(accessed Oct. 2012)
° G.Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:I Natural Fibres, 5th edition, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England, 1984.
° T.Collings, D.Miller, 'The Identification of Oriental Paper Fibers' The Paper Conservator vol. 3, 1978.
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Last updated on: 10/15/2012 5:22:49 PM
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