Influence of the absorbed water on the tensile strength of flax fibers

The complex structure of flax fibres involves many chemical biomolecules located in an amorphous matrix in which cellulose micrifibrils are embbeded. The drying of flax fibres influences significantly their tensile strength. This result can be explained by the creation of damages within the fibre and by the modification of the chemical composition of the matrix components. This loss of water involves a modification of the adhesion between the cellulose microfibrils and the matrix. This modification is due to the evolution of the components ensuring the transfer of load between the microfibrils and thus conditioning the strength of the cellular wall.