SIST EN 1773:1999

Overview

SIST EN 1773:1999 is a European standard established by CEN that defines a precise method for determining the width and length of textile fabrics. Specifically, it applies to fabrics that have reached a state of relaxation-meaning the fabrics are free from any applied tension and acclimatized to the standard atmosphere for textiles. This standard is essential for quality control and dimensional assessment in the textile industry, ensuring consistency and accuracy in fabric measurement.

SIST EN 1773:1999 covers textile fabrics in various forms, including:

• Full-width fabrics
• Fabrics folded vertically down the middle
• Tubular fabrics
  The maximum fabric length allowed for testing under this standard is 100 meters.

This method does not address the detection or description of construction defects or other types of fabric faults. Its focus remains strictly on dimensional accuracy of textile width and length.

Key Topics

• Fabric Relaxation: The standard emphasizes that measurements must be taken when the textile is fully relaxed and not under tension, reflecting true dimensions.
• Applicable Forms: It covers multiple fabric configurations such as flat fabric, folded fabric, and tubular fabric, providing versatility for measuring different textile products.
• Length Limitation: The method applies to fabric pieces not exceeding 100 meters, which is practical for factory sampling and quality checks.
• Standard Atmosphere: Conditioning of fabrics in standardized environmental conditions before measurement is mandatory to ensure reproducible results.
• Exclusion of Defect Analysis: SIST EN 1773:1999 is solely concerned with dimensional determination and excludes defect detection or fabric construction descriptions.

Applications

SIST EN 1773:1999 serves a critical role across various sectors in the textile industry, including:

• Manufacturing Quality Control: Accurate width and length measurements are vital for cutting, sewing, and finishing processes, minimizing material waste and ensuring product quality.
• Textile Trade and Inspection: Buyers, sellers, and inspectors rely on standardized measurement methods to verify fabric dimensions for contractual compliance.
• Research and Development: Textile engineers and technicians use this method to evaluate fabric dimensional stability and to develop materials that maintain consistent dimensions.
• Textile Testing Laboratories: Accredited labs use this standardized approach to provide reliable test reports that support product certification and international trade.

By implementing SIST EN 1773:1999, companies can streamline production workflows and enhance confidence in material specifications.

Related Standards

• EN ISO 139:2015 - Textiles - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing, which complements EN 1773 by defining the environmental conditions for fabric relaxation.
• EN 1474 - Test methods for textile fabrics, covering other physical and mechanical properties that may be checked alongside dimensional measurements.
• ISO 6300 - Textile fabrics - Preparation, conditioning, and testing of textiles, guiding textile sample handling procedures.
• EN 460:1994 - Textiles - Evaluation of defects in woven fabrics, useful for separate assessments of fabric quality beyond dimension.

Adopting SIST EN 1773:1999 ensures consistent, reproducible measurement of fabric width and length, providing essential data to all stakeholders in the textile supply chain. This standard underpins accurate fabric specification, ultimately supporting higher-quality textile products and efficient manufacturing operations.