ASTM D6798-02

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Designation:D6798–02
Standard Terminology Relating to
Flax and Linen
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6798; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope long-line fibers to improve fineness and remove non-fibrous
materials and short fibers.
1.1 This terminology covers definitions of technical terms
linen, n—a yarn or fabric made solely from flax fibers.
related to flax and linen.
linen blend, n—a yarn or fabric made from a combination of
2. Referenced Documents
flax and other fibers.
long line, n—in flax, flax fiber bundles that have a minimum
2.1 ASTM Standards:
length of 50 cm.
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
over-retting, v—in flax, indicates that decomposition has
3. Terminology
caused excessive deterioration of bast fibers. (See retting and
underretting)
3.1 Definitions:
retting, v—in flax, the process of partial biological or chemical
bast fibers, n—in flax stems, fibers found in the layer of
decomposition of pectins and other components which bind
phloem of the flax stem between the inner xylem tissue and
the fiber, fiber bundles, and the non-fiber structures, thereby
the epidermis tissue.
facilitating removal of bast fibers from stems. (See under-
breaking, v—in flax stems, the crushing of the structure of the
retting and over-retting)
stem; loosening the bond between the fiber bundles and
scutching, v—the mechanical beating and scraping of flax
shives and breaking the shives into short pieces to facilitate
straw subsequent to breaking to separate the shives and tow
its removal.
from the long line flax fiber.
combing, v—in flax, the processing of tow so as to produce
shives, n—the woody parts of the flax plant which are not
tops or silver which have the staple length and width suitable
fibers.
for use in the worsted spinning system.
straw, n—in flax, refers to dried stems and plant parts such as
cottonizing, v—in flax, the processing of flax fiber so as to
roots, leaves, and seed holding structures.
make it suitable for use in the cotton spinning system.
tow, n—in flax fibers, a combination of fiber bundles and
decorticating, v—in flax, the process of mechanically separat-
ultimate fibers that have a maximum length of 50 cm.
ing fiber bundles from straw.
DISCUSSION—Tow can be made during any stage of processing. For
de-seeding, v—in flax, the process of removing seeds and
e
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