Linen is made from the flax plant, which is harvested after 100 days and its fibers are extracted from the stalk. Linen fibers are strong, absorbent, and durable. The largest producers of linen are Canada, Russia, and Ukraine, while the highest quality linen comes from Western Europe and the Ukraine where it is retted in slow-moving natural water sources.

1. Textiles &
Fashion
MK - 360
Team III - Linen

2. How Flax is made into Linen:
https://youtu.be/HCJQCWDIozk
Cellulosic, Protein, or Petrochemical?
Flax also known as common flax or linseed),with the binomial name
Linum usitatissimum
Linen is a cellulosic fiber to produce this material
fiber is obtained from the inside stalk of the flax
plant.
Flax is an annual plant, which means it only lives
for one growing season.
From the time that the seed is planted, it is ready
to be harvested in about a hundred days. Flax
requires little watering or attention during this
time. It grows to about three or four feet tall, with
glossy bluish-green leaves and pale blue flowers.
When it is harvested the seeds are cultivated for
replanting for the next set of crops.
Other cellulosic fibers include cotton and
bamboo.

3. Basic Characteristics
(B) What are the basic characteristics of the fiber, which is covered in Chapter 4.
● “Linen yarns are classified into two types called tow and line. Tow linen is composed of short fibers and is irregular
and rather coarse in texture. Tow linen is used for coarser types of linen fabrics found in sports jackets and trousers.
Line linen is composed of long fibers averaging about 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) in length. Line linen yarns are
smooth and fine and are used for fabrics such as fine table linens and tissue-weight blouses.” - Page 72
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
● Linen can absorb a fair amount of moisture without feeling unpleasantly damp to the skin, unlike cotton. It is a very
durable, strong fabric, and one of the few that are stronger wet than dry. The fibers do not stretch, and are resistant
to damage from abrasion.

4. Basic Characteristics ~ Physical
PropertiesPhysical Properties of Linen:
1. Tensile Strength: Linen is a strong fiber. It has a tenacity of 5.5 to 6.5 gm/den.
2. Elongation at break: Linen does not stress easily. It has an elongation at break of 2.7 to 3.5%.
3. Color: The color of linen fiber is yellowish to grey.
4. Length: 18 to 30 inches in length.
5. Lustre: It is brighter than cotton fiber and it is slightly silky.
6. Elastic Recovery: Linen fiber does not have elastic recovery properties.
7. Specific Gravity: The specific gravity of linen fiber is 1.50.
8. Moisture Regain (MR %): Standard moisture regain is 10% to 12%.
9. Effect of Heat: Linen has an excellent resistance to degradation by heat. It is less affected than cotton fiber.
10. Effect of Sun Light: Linen fiber is not affected by the sunlight as others fiber are.

5. Basic Characteristics ~ Advantages
● Excellent strength; gains strength when wet
● Hydrophilic: Absorbs water and dries quickly
● Cool in warm weather
● Washable
● Withstands very high temperatures when washing and ironing
● No static, pilling, or lint problems
● Unique texture from the thick-and-thin pattern of the fibers

6. Largest Producing Countries & Annual Production
1. Canada - 368,300 tons
2. Russia - 230,000 tons
3. Ukraine - 51,100 tons
“Russia produces the most, but Belgium
produces the best.”
Countries from http://textilefashionstudy.com/top-flax-growing-
countries-of-the-world-linen-fiber-production/

7. Production Continued
Linen Production in Europe
“The best quality linen is retted in
slow-moving natural water
sources such as streams and
rivers”
Top Quality: Western Europe and
The Ukraine
Bulk: Eastern Europe and China
http://www.decktowel.com/pages/how-
linen-is-made-from-flax-to-fabric

8. Main End Uses
What are the main end uses for this fiber?
Apparel: Suits, jackets, skirts, and dresses.
● Interior: Tablecloths, napkins, and wallpaper.