The effect of physical factors on the process of physical-mechanical degumming of flax fibers

This paper presents results of studies on a new physical-mechanical method of degumming of flax fibers in order to determine optimal parameters of the process for obtaining high-quality fiber. The study was carried out on an experimental device where lengthwise and crosswise flow of the liquid through a straw batch was applied and where the following process parameters were controlled: temperature, flow velocity, and time of the process. The pH was maintained at a stable neutral level. The degumming process was evaluated by measurement of the mass loss of the straw during the process, by physical-chemical tests of the process liquid, by metrological and chemical tests of the obtained fiber, and by statistical analysis of the results. The results of the study, compared with the results of traditional warm water retting, indicate that by proper selection of physical factors of the process, it can be intensified resulting in obtaining high-quality fiber, superior to the fiber obtained in the traditional retting technique.