ISO 2959:2011

Overview

ISO 2959:2011, titled Textiles – Woven fabric descriptions, is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This standard specifies a systematic approach for characterizing woven fabrics, focusing on essential parameters that define fabric properties throughout manufacturing and processing stages. It applies broadly to all woven textiles except textile floor coverings, providing a standardized framework for fabric description to ensure clarity and consistency in the textile industry.

The document is a key resource for manufacturers, quality controllers, and researchers involved in textile production, enabling precise communication of fabric characteristics such as composition, weave, and processing details.

Key Topics

ISO 2959:2011 outlines important parameters for woven fabric descriptions including:

• State of Fabric: Describes the condition of the fabric, such as loomstate, bleached, dyed, or printed.
• Composition: Specifies the generic fiber names (based on ISO 2076) and their percentages by mass, including detailed identification when warp and weft use different fibers. The composition must be expressed in order of predominance.
• Yarn Designation: Yarn details must comply with ISO 1139 guidelines, providing standardized yarn identification.
• Threads per Unit Length: Quantifies thread density in both warp and weft directions, an essential parameter for fabric quality and performance.
• Weave: Defined according to ISO 3572, describing the type and structure of fabric weaves.
• Warp and Weft Arrangement: Specifies configuration details if applicable.
• Fabric Width: Outlines overall and usable widths relevant for application and production.
• Mass per Unit Area: Indicates fabric weight, a critical factor for technical and commercial evaluation.
• Processing Particulars: Covers additional treatments such as dyeing, printing, shrinking, or heat setting that affect fabric properties.

An example description from the standard includes a dyed polyester/cotton poplin with detailed parameters like composition (67% polyester, 33% cotton), yarn specifications, thread counts per centimeter, plain weave, width, mass, and finishing treatments.

Applications

ISO 2959:2011 is invaluable in various practical contexts within the textile sector:

• Textile Manufacturing: Assists manufacturers in accurately specifying raw fabrics to meet product requirements and facilitate quality control.
• Quality Assurance: Provides a uniform language for fabric testing and inspection, ensuring that fabrics meet designated standards.
• Product Development: Supports designers and technologists in selecting fabrics with precise characteristics suited for garments, upholstery, or industrial uses.
• Trade and Compliance: Offers a transparent basis for commercial transactions, enabling clear communication between suppliers and buyers.
• Research and Education: Serves as an authoritative reference for textile science studies and training programs.

By adopting this standard, companies improve consistency in fabric identification, streamline documentation, and reduce ambiguities in specifications, which enhances supply chain efficiency.

Related Standards

ISO 2959:2011 aligns with several complementary ISO standards to provide a comprehensive textile framework:

• ISO 2076 – Man-made fibres: Generic names for standardized fiber identification.
• ISO 1139 – Designation of yarns: Guidelines for consistent yarn description.
• ISO 3572 – Weaves: Definitions and classification of basic weave types.
• ISO 1833 (all parts) – Quantitative chemical analysis: Methods for determining fiber composition within fabrics.

These related standards work together to harmonize textile terminology and testing methods, facilitating international trade and technical collaboration across the textile industry.

By integrating ISO 2959:2011, textile professionals gain a robust, standardized vocabulary and characterization system for woven fabrics, enhancing communication, product quality, and market competitiveness worldwide.