ASTM D2255/D2255M-09(2013)e1

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2255/D2255M − 09 (Reapproved 2013) D2255/D2255M − 09 (Reapproved
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2013)
Standard Test Method for
Grading Spun Yarns for Appearance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2255/D2255M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—References to the adjuncts in 7.1 and 7.2 were updated editorially in December 2015.
INTRODUCTION
Cotton yarn appearance standards were first adopted in 1938 and revised in 1964, with Series III
being revised again in 1975. The 1964 boards had different yarn sizes for the four-grade exhibits on
each board. The 1975 Series III board used the same yarn number for each grade.
The appearance grade of yarn is based on the composite evaluation of several factors, such as
unevenness, fuzziness, and neppiness. The differences in the yarn numbers in the 1964 standards along
with the differences in other factors distort the comparison between grades and makes grading more
difficult.
To overcome this shortcoming, in 1975 the Series III board was revised using the same size yarn
for all four grades. After evaluating the improvements, it was decided to revise all of the series using
a mid-range yarn number for each grade in the series, and narrow the range in the most active series.
This was accomplished by adding a new board, Series VI. A near mid-range yarn number was selected
to represent equal steps between adjacent grades for all the factors considered in yarn appearance
grading. These yarns were produced with current commercial manufacturing equipment and practices.
Finally, to obtain better yarn definition and better reproducibility from set to set, it was decided to
use offset photo printing.
Shortly after these new boards were published in 1979, it became apparent that in the Series II-79
Board the A and B grades were not clearly defined and appeared to be switched. This was corrected
in the 1987 Series II Board.
In 1987 a world wide survey was conducted on how the Yarn Appearance Boards were being used.
From responses it became apparent that the boards are being used for grading yarns other than 100 %
cotton combed or carded yarns. Respondents were using the boards to grade yarn blends, ring spun
yarns, open-end spun yarns and other spinning systems. The boards are used both for process quality
control and customer acceptance.
In view of the above findings, it was decided to revise the method to include grading of all single
spun yarns.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the grading of singles spun yarns for appearance.
1.2 This test method does not apply to plied yarns.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values stated in each
system are not exact equivalents, therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two
systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.58 on Yarns and Fibers.
Current edition approved July 1, 2013. Published September 2013. Originally approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D2255 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/D2255_D2255M-09R13.10.1520/D2255_D2255M-09R13E01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D2255/D2255M − 09 (2013)
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of
this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior
to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D2258 Practice for Sampling Yarn for Testing
D2645 Tolerances for Yarns Spun on the Cotton or Worsted Systems
D3888 Terminology for Yarn Spinning Systems
D3990 Terminology Relating to Fabric Defects
D4849 Terminology Related to Yarns and Fibers
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
Spun Yarn Appearance Standards (6 Boards with Photos)
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of textile terms used in this method: bunch, cover, fuzz, nep, slub, thick place, thin place, and yarn
appearance, refer to Terminology D4849. For other textile terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D123, Terminology
D3888, and Terminology D3990.
4. Description of Yarn Grades
4.1 Grade A Yarn—Grade A yarn may have no large neps which are over three times the normal diameter of the yarn and very
few small ones. Grade A yarn must have good uniformity from 25 mm to 25 mm (inch to inch), and good cover without excessive
fuzziness. No foreign matter may be present in Grade A yarn.
4.2 Grade B Yarn—Grade B Yarn may have no large neps, but may have a few small ones. Grade B yarn may have no more
than three small pieces of foreign matter per board or specimen providing they do not form slubs. Grade B yarn may be slightly
more irregular and may have slightly more fuzz than a Grade A yarn.
4.3 Grade C Yarn—Grade C yarn may have more neps, and larger ones as well as more fuzziness and a greater amount of
foreign matter than Grade B yarn. The contrast between the thick and thin places and the normal diameter of the yarn may be
greater than in Grade B yarn resulting in an over-all rougher appearance.
4.4 Grade D Yarn—Grade D yarn may have some slubs that are more than three times the average diameter of the yarn. Grade
D yarn may have more neps, neps of a larger size, more thick and thin places, more fuzz and more foreign matter than Grade C
yarn. When slubs or large neps are present, Grade D yarn may have fewer neps than Grade C yarn. Grade D yarn may have an
over-all rougher appearance than Grade C yarn.
4.5 Yarn Below Grade D—Yarn below Grade D may have more defects and an overall rougher appearance than Grade D yarn.
NOTE 1—The permitted number of defects for any grade should always be determined by comparison with the official “ASTM Spun Yarn Appearance
Standards” photographs.
The requirements for the appearance of cotton yarns are covered in Tolerances D2645, Roller-Drafted Yarns.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from the ASTM International Headquarters. Request adjunct No. as follows:
ADJD225501 (Series 1-79) ADJD225504 (Series 4-79)
ADJD225502 (Series 2-79) ADJD225505 (Series 5-79)
ADJD225503 (Series 3-79) ADJD225506 (Series 6-79)
ADJD2255ALL
TABLE 1 Requirements for Preparations of Specimens
B
Range of Yarn Numbers Wraps
A
Series Count
Single Cot-
Tex per in. per cm
ton Count
1 1 to 12 590 to 50 8 20 8
2 12 to 24 50 to 25 18 22 9
3 24 to 36 25 to 16 30 26 10
4 36 to 50 16 to 12 42 32 13
5 50 to 75 12 to 8 60 38 15
6 75 to 135 8 to 4 100 48 19
A
Actual single yarn count used on boards.
B
The specified number of wraps is subject to a tolerance of ± 10 %.
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D2255/D2255M − 09 (2013)
5. Summary of Test Method
5.1 Yarn specimens, wound on black boards, are compared with photographs of specimens representing the appearance grades.
The grade is based on fuzziness, neppiness, unevenness, and visible foreign matter.
6. Significance and Use
6.1 This method is considered satisfactory for acceptance grading of commercial shipments because it has been used extensively
in the trade for this purpose.
6.1.1 If there are differences of practical significance between reported test results for two laboratories (or more), comparative
tests should be performed to determine if there is a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assistance. As a
minimum, use the samples for such a comparative tests that are as homogeneous as possible, drawn from the same lot of material
as the samples that resulted in disparate results during initial testing and randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory.
The test results from the laboratories involved should be compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, a probability level
chosen prior to the testing series. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or future test results for that
material must be adjusted in consideration of the known bias.
6.2 The appearance of a woven or knitted fabric depends to a large extent on the smoothness, cleanliness, and general
appearance of the yarns from which the fabric is manufactured. Instruments are available for the measurement of unevenness and
for counting neps and other imperfections in yarn, but the values obtained from such tests are not easily integrated into an over-all
expression for actual fabric appearance. Yarn appearance grading affords additional information which the manufacturer of woven
or knitted goods may, through experience, correlate with the appearance to be expected in fabrics made from the yarns.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Spun Yarn Appearance Standards —A series of photographic standards representing Grades A, B, C, and D in six ranges
of yarn numbers. Grade A is the highest and the others are progressively lower. The range of yarn numbers to be graded by each
series is listed in Table 1. The standards are illustrated in Fig. 1. See also ADJD2255ADJD2255ALL.
7.2 Yarn Grading Cabinet —A cabinet with storage space for the appearance standards, a shelf or rack on
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