Overview
ISO 8159:2025 - Textiles - Morphology of fibres and yarns - Vocabulary is the second edition of an ISO vocabulary standard that defines principal terms used to describe how textile fibres are assembled up to and including cabled yarns. The document standardizes general-purpose terminology for fibres and yarns (e.g., staple fibre, filament, sliver, roving, yarn types) and includes an informative morphological scheme (Annex A) that illustrates relationships among forms from a production point of view. It explicitly excludes fibre-specific terms (hemp, silk, glass, carbon, metal, etc.), manufacturing/process terminology and property-quantifying terms.
Key topics
- Core definitions: textile fibre, staple fibre, filament, textile film, tow, staple in bulk, card web, sliver/top, flock.
- Yarn taxonomy: general definition of yarn and subtypes such as roving, spun yarn, bulked spun yarn, filament yarn, textured filament yarn, tape yarn, fibrillated tape yarn.
- Constructive forms: single yarn, multiple wound yarn, folded/plied yarn, cabled yarn.
- Composite and novelty yarns: core-spun yarn, wrapped/fasciated yarn, and fancy/novelty yarns, with standardized subterms and examples for:
- slub (bunchy) yarn
- knot yarn
- caterpillar yarn
- chenille yarn
- loop yarn
- boucle (and gimp) yarn
- braid (snarl) yarn
- spiral yarn
- Informative morphology: Annex A’s morphological scheme maps production routes and relationships among terms (note: not all terms or production routes are shown).
- Document scope and limits: no normative references; excludes fibre‑specific vocabularies and process/property measurement terminology.
Applications and users
ISO 8159:2025 is useful for:
- Textile engineers and product developers standardizing design briefs and specifications.
- Quality managers and procurement teams ensuring consistent terminology in contracts and supplier communications.
- Laboratories and testing bodies that reference consistent vocabulary in reports.
- Technical writers, educators, and trainers preparing curricula, manuals, and training materials.
- Standards committees and regulatory bodies aligning national or industry vocabularies.
Practical uses include product specification, technical documentation, labeling, R&D communication, and cross‑border trade where consistent textile terminology avoids misunderstandings.
Related standards
- ISO 8160:1987 - Textiles - Textured filament yarns - Vocabulary (referenced historically)
- ISO/IEC Directives (for editorial and development context)
For official text and updates, consult the ISO Online Browsing Platform (OBP) and your national standards body.
