ARS | Publication request: Assessment of quality parameters in flax fiber

Submitted to: United States-Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 13, 2006
Publication Date: October 21, 2006
Citation: Akin, D.E., Sohn, M., Barton II, F.E. 2006. Assessment of quality parameters in flax fiber. Proceedings of the 35th United States-Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources. pp.IA 11-14.

Interpretive Summary: Opportunities are great for the development of a flax fiber industry to supply a domestic source of high and consistent quality fiber to diverse industries. Research has been conducted for several years by ARS and university collaborators to address methods to assess quality parameters as an aid to establishing a flax fiber industry in the US. This publication reviews specific work using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to measure cleanliness. Information is useful in putting forth a new technology to support this biobased fiber industry and provides for development of similar methods for natural fibers generally.

Technical Abstract: A method was developed to predict shive content, a major contaminant of flax fiber, using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and chemometrics. The model was established using proportions (0 to 100%) of weighed, ground samples of pure fiber or shive, which differ in chemical composition, from a variety of flax sources. The method was accepted as a standard test method by ASTM International in 2005. Similar NIRS methods have been used to assess wax, which is in the cuticle that constitues another contaminant of fiber, fiber content in intact flax stalks, and flax in linen/cotton blended fabrics.