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2024.11.12
Flax: Natural Fiber Derived from the Annual Herbaceous Plant Flax
Flax: Natural Fiber Derived from the Annual Herbaceous Plant Flax
Flax is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Linum within the family Linaceae. It features upright stems with branches at the upper part, reaching a height of approximately one meter. The leaves of flax are linear or lanceolate, with a glossy surface and smooth edges. The flowers, which are blue or white and sometimes tinged with yellow or red, are arranged in dense and orderly cone-like inflorescences.
The stem bark of flax produces long and resilient fibers, making it an excellent textile material. Flax fabric is highly breathable and suitable for summer wear. The seeds of flax, which are flat and oval-shaped, contain 30%-40% oil, and the hulls contain 15%-20% oil, rendering flax an important oilseed crop.
Growth Habits: Flax prefers cool and moist climates, is cold-tolerant but intolerant of high temperatures. The minimum temperature for seed germination is 13°C, with an optimal temperature range for germination being 20-25°C, and an optimal temperature range for vegetative growth being 11-18°C. The plant grows best when soil moisture reaches 70%-80% of field capacity.
Basic Characteristics: Moisture Absorption and Breathability: Flax material exhibits exceptional moisture absorption and breathability, capable of absorbing water equivalent to 20 times its own weight and dissipating heat rapidly. This allows flax fabrics to produce a capillary phenomenon when in contact with skin, assisting in rapid sweat evaporation and maintaining dryness.
Temperature Regulation: Flax material possesses a unique fusiform structure and pectin oblique-edged structure, enabling it to promptly adjust the ecological temperature environment on the skin's surface in response to environmental changes. Consequently, flax fiber fabrics are often used in car seat cushions, short-sleeved T-shirts, etc., and are known as "natural air conditioners."
Antibacterial and Antistatic Properties: Flax material contains a certain amount of natural preservative silicon dioxide, exhibiting good antibacterial properties. Additionally, flax fibers carry nearly balanced positive and negative charges, resulting in excellent antistatic performance with virtually no static electricity.
Strength and Resilience: Flax fiber is a natural fiber with high strength and resilience but lacks elasticity. Once deformed for an extended period, it cannot recover its original shape, leading to prominent wrinkles.
Dyeability: Flax fibers have high crystallinity and orientation, making it difficult for the fibers to swell, which hinders dye penetration. Furthermore, flax fibers contain substantial impurities such as pectin, resulting in low dye uptake and poor uniformity in dyeing.
Applications: The fibers of flax, primarily sourced from its stems, can be processed into various textiles such as flax cloth and flax thread. Flax fibers are characterized by good moisture absorption, rapid heat dissipation, and strong breathability, making flax products provide a cool and comfortable sensation during summer use. Additionally, flax fibers possess certain antibacterial properties, contributing to maintaining body cleanliness and health.
Beyond fiber applications, flax seeds also hold value. Rich in oil and protein, flaxseeds can be used as food ingredients. They also contain nutrients beneficial to human health, such as linolenic acid and lignans, which play a role in maintaining health.
In cultivation, flax prefers warm and humid climatic conditions and is not stringent in soil requirements but thrives best in deep, loose, fertile, and well-drained soil. During cultivation, attention should be paid to pest and disease control to ensure healthy growth and yield.
In summary, flax is a plant with diverse uses and values, with both its fibers and seeds being fully utilized. In the textile and food industries, flax products are favored for their unique properties and advantages. Meanwhile, as people pursue healthier lifestyles and raise environmental awareness, the market demand for flax, as a natural and eco-friendly fiber material, is continuously increasing.
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