Overview
ISO 16322-2:2021 - Textiles - Determination of spirality after laundering - Part 2: Woven and knitted fabrics - specifies standardised test methods to measure fabric spirality (torque) after domestic laundering. The document defines three marking and assessment procedures (diagonal marking, inverted‑T marking and mock‑garment marking) and describes specimen preparation, laundering, conditioning and calculation of results. This standard applies to woven and knitted fabrics and is focused on spirality after laundering, not spirality introduced during manufacture (e.g., denim finishing or circular‑knit wale alignment).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Measurement of post‑wash spirality for woven and knitted fabrics; results from different procedures may not be directly comparable.
- Specimen preparation & marking: Three defined procedures:
- Procedure A - Diagonal marking (380×380 mm template; draw and label square A–B–C–D).
- Procedure B - Inverted‑T marking (suitable for narrow fabrics; 680×380 mm template).
- Procedure C - Mock‑garment marking (580×510 mm template; sewn bag/panel to simulate garment behavior).
- Laundering and conditioning: Follow ISO 6330 domestic washing/drying procedures and ISO 139 standard atmospheres for conditioning before and after test. Number and type of cycles are agreed between parties.
- Apparatus: Automatic washing/drying machines (per ISO 6330), calibrated ruler (≥500 mm, 1 mm graduations), T‑square, marking templates, sewing machine, conditioning rack.
- Assessment & calculation: Spirality reported as percentage spirality or spirality distance (mm). The standard gives formulas to compute percentage spirality from measured diagonals or offsets and allows an alternative assessment option for Procedure A. Report the mean for tested specimens.
- Test report content: Must reference ISO 16322-2:2021 and include sample details, mean spirality, marking procedure used (A/B/C), laundering procedure and washer type, number of cycles, test date and any deviations.
Applications and users
ISO 16322-2:2021 is used by:
- Textile and garment quality control laboratories assessing post‑wash fit and appearance issues related to spirality
- Fabric mills and knitters evaluating dimensional stability and torque after laundering
- Apparel manufacturers and product development teams testing fabric behavior in wash cycles
- Certification and compliance testing organizations and R&D departments studying shrinkage and distortion
Practical uses include troubleshooting garment twisting, verifying care label instructions, and comparative performance testing of fabric constructions.
Related standards
- ISO 6330 - Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing (used to define laundering conditions)
- ISO 139 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
- Other parts of the ISO 16322 series (see ISO catalogue)
Keywords: ISO 16322-2:2021, spirality, textiles, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, spirality measurement, laundering test, diagonal marking, inverted‑T marking, mock‑garment marking.