Fine Structure of Chemically Modified Flax Fibre

Abstract
The changes in fibre structure caused by the realignment of the microfibrils of fibre and yarn samples treated with swelling agents, such as NaOH, LiOH, ZnCl2, and butyltrimethyl ammonium hydroxide (BTMAH), both under tension and slack, were studied by light and electron microscopy. The structural effects of treatment of the microfibrils and the ultimate fibres correlated with the measured variations in fibre tenacity and moisture regain. The results of differential thermogravimetric analysis suggested that structural realignment of the cellulosic crystals had taken place during the treatments.