METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE OF COTTON WOOL FROM FLAX FIBER Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: textile industry. SUBSTANCE: method involves defibrating flax fiber; subjecting defibrated fiber to chemical treatment by whitening; imparting hydrophilic properties and washing with hot water with following washing in cold water; providing final defibration including wet loosening, drying and combing. Whitening and imparting of hydrophilic properties are effected simultaneously by peroxide whitening in alkaline medium in the presence of complexone capable of forming stable complexes in alkaline medium. Washing with hot and cold water is performed in single stage immediately after whitening process. Combing is provided on cotton combing machine. Oakum used as raw flax material has whiteness of at least 55% and capillary attraction of 50-60 mm/hour. Method allows short fiber content in resultant wool to be reduced and may be used for production of medicinal cotton wool. EFFECT: simplified process, reduced labor consumption by reduced number of chemical and mechanical treatment operations, reduced consumption of water, and increased ecology control. 2 tbl