ASTM D2255/D2255M-09(2013)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D2255/D2255M − 09(Reapproved 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.
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,andneppiness.Thedifferencesintheyarnnumbersinthe1964standardsalong
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, SeriesVI.Anear 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 theYarnAppearance 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 1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety
concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the
1.1 This test method covers the grading of singles spun
user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
yarns for appearance.
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
1.2 This test method does not apply to plied yarns.
tions prior to use.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to
2. Referenced Documents
be regarded separately as the standard. The values stated in
each system are not exact equivalents, therefore, each system
2.1 ASTM Standards:
must be used independently of the other. Combining values D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the
D2258 Practice for Sampling Yarn for Testing
standard.
The requirements for the appearance of cotton yarns are covered in Tolerances
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D13 on Textiles D2645, Roller-Drafted Yarns.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.58 on Yarns and Fibers. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2013. Published September 2013. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D2255 – 09. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2255_D2255M-09R13. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2255/D2255M − 09 (2013)
TABLE 1 Requirements for Preparations of Specimens
D2645 Tolerances for Yarns Spun on the Cotton or Worsted
B
Systems Range of Yarn Numbers Wraps
A
Series Count
D3888 Terminology for Yarn Spinning Systems Single Cot-
Tex per in. per cm
ton Count
D3990 Terminology Relating to Fabric Defects
1 1 to 12 590 to 50 8 20 8
D4849 Terminology Related to Yarns and Fibers
2 12 to24 50to25 18 22 9
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3 24 to36 25to16 30 26 10
4 36 to50 16to12 42 32 13
Spun Yarn Appearance Standards (6 Boards with Photos)
5 50 to 75 12 to 8 60 38 15
6 75 to 135 8 to 4 100 48 19
3. Terminology
A
Actual single yarn count used on boards.
B
3.1 For definitions of textile terms used in this method: The specified number of wraps is subject to a tolerance of ± 10 %.
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,
grades. The grade is based on fuzziness, neppiness,
Terminology D3888, and Terminology D3990.
unevenness, and visible foreign matter.
4. Description of Yarn Grades
6. Significance and Use
4.1 Grade A Yarn—Grade A yarn may have no large neps
6.1 This method is considered satisfactory for acceptance
which are over three times the normal diameter of the yarn and
grading of commercial shipments because it has been used
very few small ones. GradeAyarn must have good uniformity
extensively in the trade for this purpose.
from 25 mm to 25 mm (inch to inch), and good cover without
6.1.1 If there are differences of practical significance be-
excessive fuzziness. No foreign matter may be present in
tween reported test results for two laboratories (or more),
Grade A yarn.
comparative tests should be performed to determine if there is
a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical
4.2 Grade B Yarn—Grade B Yarn may have no large neps,
assistance. As a minimum, use the samples for such a com-
but may have a few small ones. Grade B yarn may have no
parative tests that are as homogeneous as possible, drawn from
more than three small pieces of foreign matter per board or
thesamelotofmaterialasthesamplesthatresultedindisparate
specimen providing they do not form slubs. Grade B yarn may
results during initial testing and randomly assigned in equal
beslightlymoreirregularandmayhaveslightlymorefuzzthan
numbers to each laboratory. The test results from the labora-
a Grade A yarn.
tories involved should be compared using a statistical test for
4.3 Grade C Yarn—Grade C yarn may have more neps, and
unpaired data, a probability level chosen prior to the testing
larger ones as well as more fuzziness and a greater amount of
series. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and
foreign matter than Grade B yarn. The contrast between the
corrected, or future test results for that material must be
thick and thin places and the normal diameter of the yarn may
adjusted in consideration of the known bias.
be greater than in Grade B yarn resulting in an over-all rougher
6.2 The appearance of a woven or knitted fabric depends to
appearance.
a large extent on the smoothness, cleanliness, and general
4.4 GradeDYarn—Grade D yarn may have some slubs that
appearanceoftheyarnsfromwhichthefabricismanufactured.
are more than three times the average diameter of the yarn.
Instruments are available for the measurement of unevenness
Grade D yarn may have more neps, neps of a larger size, more
and for counting neps and other imperfections in yarn, but the
thick and thin places, more fuzz and more foreign matter than
valuesobtainedfromsuchtestsarenoteasilyintegratedintoan
Grade C yarn. When slubs or large neps are present, Grade D
over-all expression for actual fabric appearance. Yarn appear-
yarn may have fewer neps than Grade C yarn. Grade D yarn
ance grading affords additional information which the manu-
may have an over-all rougher appearance than Grade C yarn.
facturer of woven or knitted goods may, through experience,
4.5 Yarn Below Grade D—Yarn below Grade D may have
correlate with the appearance to be expected in fabrics made
more defects and an overall rougher appearance than Grade D
from the yarns.
yarn.
7. Apparatus
NOTE 1—The permitted number of defects for any grade should always
be determined by comparison with the official “ASTM Spun Yarn
7.1 Spun Yarn Appearance Standards —A series of photo-
Appearance Standards” photographs.
graphic standards representing Grades A, B, C, and D in six
ranges of yarn numbers. Grade A is the highest and the others
5. Summary of Test Method
are progressively lower. The range of yarn numbers to be
5.1 Yarn specimens, wound on black boards, are compared
graded by each series is listed in Table 1. The standards are
with photographs of specimens representing the appearance
illustrated in Fig. 1. See also ADJD2255.
7.2 Yarn Grading Cabinet —A cabinet with storage space
for the appearance standards, a shelf or rack on which one
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) Prints of detailed drawings of a suitable cabinet are available from ASTM
ADJD225503 (Series 3-79) ADJD225506 (Series 6-79) International Headquarters. Request Adjunct No. ADJD2255.
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