Thomas Hegerty

Flax (linen) is prized for strength, handle and sustainability. What’s harder is getting consistent, comparable measurements  of fineness and length. Unlike wool, flax doesn’t have a single, trade-wide true-length standard; instead, labs mix permeametric fineness  (airflow) and image-analysis width  methods, plus microscopy for identification. ( Iteh Standards ) This guide sets out what’s standard today, what’s evolving, and a practical OFDA-based  workflow you can apply now—clearly labelled...

Hemp is back in the spotlight for textiles, nonwovens and composites. Yet labs and mills still face a basic problem: how to measure fineness and length consistently . Unlike wool, bast fibres lack a single, trade-standard method that everyone follows for micron/width and true length distribution. Recent reviews emphasise fragmented methods, challenging sample prep, and inconsistent outputs . ( MDPI ) This guide summarises what’s commonly measured today, where the gaps are, and a practical,...

When fibre measurements drive grading, contracts or genetics, method clarity matters. Two IWTO procedures sit at the centre of reliable results: IWTO-47  — measures the mean and distribution of fibre diameter  using an Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA) . ( member.iwto.org ) IWTO-62  — determines fibre length distribution  (true length) and diameter in wool top & slivers  using the OFDA4000 . ( member.iwto.org ) Below is a plain-English walkthrough of what each covers (and doesn’t), how...