ISO standards to measure tensile strength of silk fibers
The tensile strength of silk fiber is typically measured using standardized test methods set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The relevant ISO standards include:
ISO 2062: Textiles—Yarns from packages—Determination of single-end breaking force and elongation at break using constant rate of extension (CRE) tester:
This is highly relevant when testing the tensile properties of silk yarns, this standard provides a method to detemine the breaking force and elongation of single yarns. It’s an important standard as before being woven into a fabric silk is in the yarn form.
ISO 13934: Textiles—Tensile properties of fabrics:
Applicable when testing the tensile strength of silk fabrics, this standard consists of two parts:
ISO 13934-1: Part 1: Determination of maximum force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method: This method is used to measure the tensile properties of fabric strips.
ISO 13934-2: Part 2: Determination of maximum force using the grab method: This method is another way to determine the tensile properties of fabrics.
ISO 5079:2020 – Textile fibers — Determination of breaking force and elongation at break of individual fibers: This test method is used to determine the tensile strength of single silk fibers.
ISO 6939:1988 – Textiles — Yarns from packages — Method of test for breaking strength of silk yarn: This standard is specifically used to test the strength of the silk yarn.
General materials testing standards
Additionally, general ISO standards related to materials testing may also apply to the equipment and procedures used in tensile strength testing.
Important considerations
- The specific ISO standard used will depend on whether you are testing silk fibers, yarns, or fabrics.
- Testing conditions, such as temperature and humidity, are also important factors that are often specified in ISO standards.
- Highly specialized equipment is required while testing individual silk fibers, and research based testing may often deviate from standard testing proceedures.
While there may not be an ISO standard solely dedicated to individual silk fibers, ISO 2062 and ISO 13934 provide valuable guidelines for measuring the tensile strength of silk yarns and fabrics, respectively.