#Research & Development

2020-11-19

New series of DIN standards enables comparability of spacer fabrics

Until now, spacer fabrics have not been tested according to separate test procedures. This meant that important characteristics were not taken into account in the tests.

The first national test standard for spacer fabrics has now been developed under the direction of the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University, short ITA, in the joint project NormATex (Standardization for Spacer Fabrics), which is publicly funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, short BMWi, within the WIPANO guideline.

Spacer fabrics are textile structures consisting of two textile cover surfaces and at least one spacer thread system. The cover surfaces are kept apart at a certain distance by the spacer thread. This structure gives spacer fabrics special properties that make them a substitute material for other, non-textile materials. As a result of their special properties, spacer fabrics differ from conventional, flat fabrics.

Up to now, spacer fabrics have been tested according to standards for flat fabrics or other, non-textile materials. However, these standards do not take into account the special requirements for testing spacer fabrics. Therefore, objective comparisons between spacer fabrics and each other or with conventional flat fabrics or non-textile materials cannot be made in all areas of application.

In the documents of this series of standards the special properties of spacer fabrics are given special consideration. This ensures the standardized testing of these properties and thus objective comparisons between

1. spacer textiles among themselves,

2. spacer fabrics and flat 2D-textiles and

3. spacer fabrics and non-textile materials

will be enabled.

The developed standardization document DIN 60022-1, Spacer textiles - Terms and definition, sample preparation, is the first standard of the new series of standards and contains specifications for the consistent marking and sample preparation of spacer fabrics. The document was prepared by the working committee NA 106 02 11 AA "Test equipment and test methods for spacer textiles" in the DIN Textile and Textile Machinery Standards Committee under the chairmanship of ITA employee Christoph Peiner.

Besides, documents on further standardized test methods for air permeability and thickness of spacer fabrics are planned. In addition, a publicly funded follow-up project focusing on further test procedures is planned. Please contact Christoph Peiner, e-mail christoph.peiner@ita.rwth-aachen.de, if you are interested in testing spacer fabrics and the standardised test procedures.

Acknowledgement : this project was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, short BMWi

Further information about the DIN working committee and the partners involved can be found here:

• DIN Standards Committee Textiles and Textile Machinery

NA 106-02-11 Test methods and test devices for spacer textiles:

https://www.din.de/en/getting-involved/standards-committees/textilnorm/national-committees/wdc-grem:din21:296431533?destinationLanguage=&sourceLanguage=

• Müller Textil GmbH:

https://www.mullertextiles.com/

• Essedea GmbH & Co. KG:

https://www.essedea.de/en/

• Imat-uve:

https://www.imat-uve.de/en/home.html

• Frank PTI:

https://www.frankpti.com/startseite-cat225.html

• HK-Konstruktion

http://www.hk-konstruktion.de/

• t+h ingema ingenieurgesellschaft mbh:

http://www.ingema.de/en/

Small tolerances, big impact and a recyclable alternative to elastane

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

Aachen Summer School: Strengthening German-Korean cooperation in 4D and robotics

The Aachen Summer School has established itself as an important platform for promoting cooperation between RWTH Aachen University and Seoul National University. The focus is on practice-oriented research projects in the field of 4D and robotics technologies, which have been successfully implemented for years at the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University.

Innovation center for textile circular economy inaugurated

Just over eight months after the foundation stone was laid, the new Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy was officially inaugurated today at TITK Rudolstadt. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt, TITK Director Benjamin Redlingshöfer, and other guests of honor cut the ribbon to the modern building complex and viewed the premises, which are now ready for occupancy. The “DICE – Demonstration and Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy” is TITK's largest single investment to date. The Free State of Thuringia supported the total cost of €11.5 million with €8 million in GRW and FTI funding.

Sustainable design of Geosynthetics and roof underlayments made from recyclates

Is it possible to recover plastic recyclates from previously unused waste streams in order to produce high-quality fibers and films? How can bio-based polymer fibers be manufactured so as to allow adjustable biodegradability? These are the questions being addressed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in the Zirk-Tex project.

More safety and comfort for protective clothing thanks to auxetic fabrics

When everyday materials are pulled, they stretch or elongate in the direction of the pull and become narrower in cross-section. We can also observe this property in two-dimensional textiles. Auxetic structures behave differently here. They have the striking property of not changing under tensile stress or even increasing their width or thickness. These properties are advantageous, for example, in protective textiles or textile filter media. The DITF are researching auxetic fabrics for various applications.

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

Waste2Fashion: FTTH Committed to advancing Circular Fashion in the Mediterranean

As an official partner of the Waste2Fashion project, the Tunisian Federation of Textile and Apparel (FTTH) participated in the Kick-off Meeting held on 10–11 December in Spain. The event brought together project partners from across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, to align on a shared vision and initiate the first implementation steps.

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

Yanpai expands nonwovens capacity with two new ANDRITZ needlepunch lines

Zhejiang Yanpai Filter Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Yanpai”) has placed an order with international technology group ANDRITZ for two high-performance needlepunch lines. The equipment will be installed at Yanpai’s headquarters facility in Tiantai County, China. Commissioning is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.