Overview
ISO 2797:2017 - "Textile glass - Rovings - Basis for a specification" provides a structured framework for writing technical specifications for textile glass rovings, covering both direct and assembled rovings. Intended as a guide for producers, suppliers, purchasers and standards bodies, this third edition (2017) enumerates the points to be addressed when defining material, testing and delivery requirements for rovings used in composite manufacturing.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard defines the scope of a roving specification and references established test methods. Key topics include:
- Designation: Use ISO 2078 rules to indicate glass type, filament reference diameter and roving linear density; supplier codes may include strand linear density for chop-type rovings.
- Sampling and batch acceptance: Apply ISO 2859-1 and ISO 3951-1 sampling procedures; the specification must state sampling conditions and specimen quantities.
- Conditioning: Refer to ISO 291 and ISO 139 for standard atmospheres and conditioning before testing.
- Properties and methods of test:
- Filament diameter - ISO 1888
- Linear density (tex) - ISO 1889
- Moisture content - ISO 3344
- Size and size content - supplier to indicate size type and determine content per ISO 1887
- Stiffness - ISO 3375
- Mechanical properties - flexural and compressive tests on rods (ISO 3597-2, ISO 3597-3), flexural of sheets (ISO 178), shear (ISO 14130), tensile of impregnated rovings (ISO 9163)
- Visual properties, catenary, abrasion resistance, strand integrity - where no standardized method exists, purchaser and supplier must agree on criteria and append test methods.
- Delivery, packaging and labelling: Specify winding, packaging systems and mandatory label information (supplier, roving designation, winding/packaging codes, net mass, manufacture date).
- Storage: Include storage conditions relevant to preserving roving quality.
Practical applications and users
ISO 2797 is practical for:
- Manufacturers and converters of textile glass rovings defining product specifications
- Composite fabricators (winding, weaving, pultrusion, spray-up, SMC) selecting appropriate rovings
- Quality and procurement engineers establishing acceptance criteria and testing regimes
- Standards committees and regulatory bodies referencing harmonized roving requirements
This standard helps ensure consistent material quality and compatibility of rovings with downstream processes (chopping vs. continuous use), improving reliability in reinforced plastics and composite applications.
Related standards (selection)
ISO 2078, ISO 1888, ISO 1889, ISO 1887, ISO 291, ISO 139, ISO 3344, ISO 3375, ISO 3597-2, ISO 3597-3, ISO 9163, ISO 14130, ISO 2859-1, ISO 3951-1.
Keywords: ISO 2797:2017, textile glass rovings, rovings specification, filament diameter, linear density, size content, sampling and batch acceptance, conditioning and testing, packaging and labelling.