Properties of Linen

Linen is well known for its extraordinary durability and long life. The tensile strength of linen thread is supposed to be double than that of cotton and three times that of wool. Linen fiber is a fiber which is used to make the linen fabric. Linen fabric has a number of properties, that makes it highly useful for various applications, in industry, in home furnishings and apparels. We are discussing in details the linen properties below:

Linen Properties

• Strength: An important property of linen is its strength. Linen is a durable fiber, as is two-three times as strong as cotton. It is second in strength to silk. It gives the same comfort like Cotton fiber.


• Elasticity: Elasticity is the extent to which a fiber can be elongated or stretched and then returned to its normal condition and size. Linen is the least elastic natural fabric.


• Resilience: Resilience refers to the extent to which a fabric can be deformed by crushing or compressing it, and finally returning it to its original condition. Linen is quite stiff and wrinkles easily.


• Absorbency: Absorbency refers to the extent to which moisture can penetrate into a fiber. Another linen property is that the fiber absorbs moisture and dries more quickly. It is excellent for manufacturing towels and handkerchiefs.


• Heat Conductivity: Heat conductivity refers to the extent to which heat can be conveyed through a fiber. Heat conductivity of linen is five times as high as that of wool and 19 times as that of silk. It is most suitable for use in summers, as the fiber allows the heat to escape, leaving a cool effect.Studies have shown that with linen clothes perspiration is 1.5 times less than when dressed in cotton clothes. It is twice less than when dressed in viscose clothes. Meanwhile in cold seasons linen is an ideal warmth-keeper.


• Comfortable: Linen is a comfortable fabric. Being a natural vegetable fibers it has huge amount of Air Porosity hole, which make the linen clothes very comfortable to wear.


• Crisp: The linen fabric has a crisp feel with a distinctive outlook and feel. Linen possesses a natural crispness when ironed damp. Hence it does not require starching, and has a natural lustre.


• Lightweight/Heavyweight: You will find any kind of linen fabric or linen fibers in any weight in the market.


• Good Abrasion Resistant: As the linen fiber is good in strength, it also has good abrasion resistance.


• Resistant to Allergy: No kind of allergic reactions are caused using linen and hence it is helpful in treating a number of allergic disorders.


• Anti inflammatory property: Linen is helpful in dealing with inflammatory conditions, reducing fever, regulating air ventilation, in some neurological ailments.


• No static electricity: Another property of linen is that it does not accumulate static electricity. Since line is made of flax, even a small addition of flax fibers to a cloth is sufficient to reduce or eliminate the static electricity effect.