Improvements in the Treatment of Flax, Hemp, Rhea, or Ramie, and other Fibre Yielding Plants or Parts of Plants, for the Obtainment of Fibres therefrom.

摘要

4869. Blitz, R. Sept. 26. Retting.-In the preparation of fibres from flax, hemp, rhea, ramie, &c., the stalks, either in a broken or flattened or in a natural state, are treated with weak solutions containing fluorides of alkalies and either caustic alkalies or sulphides, with or without alkaline carbonates, and fatty matters, such as olive oil or other vegetable or animal fat or thick mineral oil, which will form soap with the other substances used. The solutions are used at a temperature of 100-212‹ F. for from two to three hours, or longer at a lower temperature. The material used varies according to the substance to be treated, and fluorides should always be used when siliceous compounds are present. The stalks are allowed to cool after treatment, and are then washed in cold water. By this means, the colouring-matter, extracts, and soluble gums are removed, but the natural wax and oil constituents are retained in a mucilaginous form, and are fixed in the fibres by subsequent treatment with a solution of weak sulphuric, oxalic, or citric acid, and an acid salt such as a sulphite, bisulphite, or metabisulphite of alkali or alkaline earth. The stalks, after final washing, are dried either in the open air or in drying-rooms. Extra long steam-heated troughs or tanks may be used for the treatment, and the stalks may be crushed if necessary.