Flax is a stalky plant which is grown for its fibre and seeds. The fiber is processed into fabric, called linen, and the seeds are processed for their oil (linseed oil).

The largest producers are Russia and the eastern European countries (the former republics of the USSR) with other leading producers being Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Northern Ireland and Belgium are leading exporters of linen cloth.

The flax fibre is composed mainly of cellulose and has a fibre length of between 2 and 36 inches. This gives the fibres excellent strength and makes it the strongest of the vegetable fibers. Flax fibres are 10 percent stronger when wet and more hydrophilic (absorbs water easily) than cotton. It absorbs moisture quickly and dries quickly. It is however, is less resistance to abrasion than cotton and therefore less durable.

When made into linen, it shrinks considerably when wet unless shrink resistant finishes are applied.

Flax (?), n. [AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G. flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L. plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. to weave, plait. See Ply.]

1. Bot.

A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the L. usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed.

2.

The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.

Earth flax Min., amianthus. -- Flax brake, a machine for removing the woody portion of flax from the fibrous. -- Flax comb, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle. -- Flax cotton, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in bicarbinate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared for bleaching and spinning like cotton. Knight. -- Flax dresser, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares it for the spinner. -- Flax mill, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen manufactured. -- Flax puller, a machine for pulling flax plants in the field. -- Flax wench. (a) A woman who spins flax. [Obs.] (b) A prostitute. [Obs.] Shak. -- Mountain flax Min., amianthus. -- New Zealand flax Bot. See Flax-plant.

 

© Webster 1913.