Dimensional Change
Percentage of dimensional change remaining in a fabric after all industrial finishing processes are complete. Even after mechanical pre-shrinking, residual shrinkage indicates the potential for a linen garment to contract further during domestic laundering. This value is measured in both the warp and the weft directions to predict the final behavior of the cloth.
Testing Method
Laboratory technicians wash a fabric sample at a specific temperature and dry it according to a standardized cycle. The dimensions are measured before and after the wash to calculate the percentage of loss. If the shrinkage exceeds the agreed threshold, the fabric may need further processing or be rejected for use in high-end apparel.
This measurement is critical for linen because the fibres are prone to swelling when wet. Measuring the change after multiple wash cycles provides a more accurate picture of the long-term performance of the textile.
Product Stability
Low levels of remaining contraction ensure that the finished product maintains its size and shape over its lifetime. Designers use these figures to adjust their patterns to account for the expected change in the material. Controlled shrinkage is a primary indicator of the quality and reliability of a woven linen textile.
