Market oriented identification of important properties in developing flax fibres for technical uses

Abstract

Today the technical use of flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) fibres in Sweden is negligible, but there is an industrial interest in the flax fibre. To be able to concentrate further research and technical development on issues of highest importance for the development of technical uses of flax fibres, the most important properties need to be identified. The purpose of this paper was to identify the most important general properties for flax fibres in technical uses by focusing on market opinions in interesting applications and by analyzing the nature of quality criteria or desired properties. The most interesting technical applications of flax fibres in Sweden have been identified in a previous study by interviewing 120 representatives from industry and research institutions. These applications are reviewed, and important properties are discussed. To be able to compare important properties for different applications and identify similarities, the properties were expressed at different levels, going from raw material towards end products. ‘Fundamental properties’ has its basis in valuation of the fibre as environmentally beneficial, being domestic or comprising a positive image of open landscape, culture etc. ‘Fibre properties’ includes the traditional physical and chemical properties of the fibre. ‘Functional properties’ is related to the expected and desired functions of the fibre in the application. ‘Secondary effects’ includes all other effects of using the fibre. ‘Performance’ gives the final answer on overall quality in the individual end products, including functional properties and secondary effects. Thus, by focusing on market opinions in applications considered interesting for flax fibres and by analyzing the nature of quality criteria or desired properties by expressing them at different levels, it has been possible to identify the most important properties for developing flax fibres for technical uses. The main function of interest among the eleven interesting applications is reinforcement, mainly of the end product; but also reinforcement during the processing can be very interesting. The expected secondary effects in using flax fibres are mainly connected with getting a uniform distribution of the fibre in the material. From the desired functional properties and the suspected negative secondary effects, it can be concluded that the critical fibre property to consider in development is length; but strength, chemical composition and diameter are also very important.