DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 948-1 
Second  Edition  
2019-mm-dd 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 948-1: 2019 
© UNBS 2019  
  
Textiles — Sewing threads — Part 1: Sewing threads made 
wholly or partly from synthetic fibres — Specification  
 DUS 948-1: 2019 
ii © UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all nec essary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 20 19 
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,  including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: + 256 417 333 2 50 
Fax: + 256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 948-1:2019 
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
4.1 General  requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  2 
4.2 Specific  requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
5 Package  formation,  wrapping  and packing  ................................ ................................ .........................  7 
5.1 Package  formation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 7 
5.2 Wrapping  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  7 
5.3 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
6 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  7 
6.1 Unit package  (carton)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  7 
6.2 Cones  (cheeses)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 7 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  8 
 DUS 948-1: 2019 
iv © UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Tourism,  Trade and 
Industry established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda.  UNBS is mandated to co -ordinate the 
elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimenta rius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agreements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deli berate on standards in a given field or area and consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academicians, manufacturers, government and other stakeholders.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakehold ers and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical  Committee UNBS/TC 7 , Textiles, Leather, Paper 
and related products , Subcommittee SC 1, Textiles and related products . 
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (US 948 -1:2011), which has been technically revised.  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 948-1: 2019 
 
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  1 
 Textiles — Sewing threa ds —Part 1: Sewing threads made 
wholly or partly from synthetic fibres — Specification  
1 Scope  
This draft Uganda  Standard  specifies  requirements  for sewing  threads  made  wholly  or partly  from synthetic  
fibres.  This Part 1 applies to sewing threads made from  the following fibres and combinations thereof:  
a) continuous  filament polyester;  
b) staple fibre polyester;  
c) air-jet (Loop)  textured  polyester;  
d) false twist (Crimp)  textured  polyester;  
e) continuous filament nylon 6.6; 
f) polyester and cotton core spun (continuous  filam ent polyester core,  cotton sheath);  
g) polyester and polyester core spun  (continuous  filament polyester core, polyester  sheath); and  
h) polyester and  cotton  component  plied.  
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in suc h a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 105-B03, Textiles  —Tests  for colour  fastness  — Part B03: Colour  fastness  to weathering:  Outdoor  
exposure  
ISO 6741 -1, Textiles  — Fibres  and yarns  — Determination  of commercial  mass  of consignments  — Part 1: 
Mass determination and calculations  
ISO 6939,  Textiles  —Yarns from packages  — Method  of test for breaking  strength  of yarn by the skein  
method  
US EAS 247 Method for determination of colour fastness of textiles to peroxide washing (sodium perborate)  
US ISO  105-B02, Textiles  — Colour  fastness,  Part B02: Determinat ion of colour  fastness  to artificial  light:  
Xenon  arc fading  lamp  test 
US ISO  105-C10, Textiles  — Colour  fastness  Part C10: Colour  fastness  to washing  with soap  or soap  with 
soda  
US ISO 105 -D01, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part D01: Colour fastn ess to dry  cleaning using 
perchloroethylene solvent   
2 © UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 US ISO  105- E04, Textiles  — Tests  for colour fastness — Part: E04 Colour  fastness  to perspiration  
US ISO 1833 (all parts) , Textiles — Binary  fibre mixtures — Quantitative chemical analysis  
US ISO 2060 , Textiles — Yarn from packages — Determination of linear density (mass per unit length) by the 
skein method  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the followi ng terms and definitions apply.  
3.1 
sewing thread  
structure of fibres or filament s produced by any of a variety of techniques such that the cohesive whole can 
withstand the mechanical operation of sewing  
3.2 
air- jet (loop) textured  
threads made from consolidation of continuous filament component yarns produced by controlled overfeedin g 
in a turbulent air stream by texturing process  
3.3 
false twist (crimp) textured  
thread made from continuous filament yarns which have been subjected to a texturing process by highly 
twisting, heat setting in the twisted state and then untwisting  
3.4 
polyester and cotton core spun  
threads made from two or more single core yarns (that is, yarns produced at the spinning frame by feeding a 
filament yarn through the delivery rollers simultaneously with the spinning of the staple material)  
3.5 
polyester and cot ton component plied  
threads made from combination yarns in which a continuous filament polyester yarn is folded with a cotton 
yarn 
3.6 
core spun  
threads made from yarns produced at the spinning frame by feeding a filament yarn through the delivery 
rollers simultaneously with the spinning of staple materials  
3.7 
breaking  strength or tensile strength  
maximum tensile force recorded when a test piece is extended to breaking point  
NOTE : Processes  such  as spinning, twisting,  braiding,  bounding,  false  twist or air-jet texturing  etc, (use either  
individually  or in combination)  are employed  to attain  the necessary  consolidation  of fibres  or filaments  required  in sewing  
thread.  An appropriate finish  or lubricant may be added to facilitate sewing.  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General  requirements  
4.1.1  The thread shall be reasonably free from knots and  other defects.  DUS 948-1: 2019 
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  3 
 4.1.2  The thread shall  have the uniformity of  thickness, construction and other component  ply tension  that is 
required for use on the appropriate types  of sewing mac hines.  
4.1.3  Different  finishes,  such  as soft and glance  core spun,  unbounded  or bounded  continuous  filament  
nylon,  may also be available for specific uses.  
4.1.4  When  visually  examined,  sewing  thread  shall have  a uniform  shade(s)  or whiteness  and shall be 
devoid of singeing defects and stains, where applicable.  
4.2 Specific  requirements  
4.2.1  The resultant  linear  density  of the thread  in tex shall be as declared  subject  to tolerance  of ± 2% 
for continuous  filament  threads  and ± 4 % for spun  and plied  threa ds. This shall be determined  in 
accordance  with US ISO 2060.  
4.2.2  The minimum  breaking  strength  shall comply  with the tables  1 to 3. This shall be determined  in 
accordance  with ISO 6939.  
4.2.3  The type of sewing  thread  shall be as declared.  In case  of blends, the blend  composition  shall be 
declared subject to a tolerance of ± 5. This shall be determined in accordance  with US ISO 1833.  
4.2.4  The net mass  of a package  of a sewing  thread  shall be as declared  subject  to a tolerance  of – 2 %. 
This shall be dete rmined in accordance  with ISO 6741 -1. 
4.2.5  The length  of the sewing  thread  contained  in a package  shall be as declared  subject  to a tolerance  of 
- 2 %. 
4.2.6  The colourfastness  of the dyed thread  shall be not lower than those  specified in Table 4.  
4.2.7  The number  of knots permissible in a package of sewing thread shall be as specified in Table  5 
 
Table 1 — Requirement for polyester threads  
Thread  type Approximate  resultant  linear  density,  
Tex Breaking  strength  for single strand , 
N, min. 
Continuous filame nt 13 6 
15 7.8 
17 8 
25 11 
30 14 
39 18 
46 20 
50 23 
65 30 
75 36 
95 45 
125 59 
150 66  
4 © UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 190 88 
215 102 
285 135 
300 150 
375 180 
500 220 
600 265 
800 330 
1000  390 
1170  430 
Staple filament  22 5.5 
29 8 
33 9.5 
45 11 
 45 13 
65 19 
105 32 
280 85 
Air-jet textured  22 4.9 
32 8 
40 12 
44 13 
57 17 
 66 20 
99 30 
150 43 
False  twist textured  20 4.9 
39 9.8 
80 19 
 
 
 
Table  2 — Requirement for nylon 6.6 and aramid threads  
Thread  type Approximate  resultant  linear density  
Tex Breaking  strength  for single strand , 
N, min. 
Continuous filament  18 8.8 
27 13.5 
40 20 DUS 948-1: 2019 
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  5 
 55 27 
83 40 
107 54 
170 80 
230 110 
250 120 
340 160 
 420 200 
520 240 
700 335 
780 350 
False  twist textured  17 4.9 
34 9.8 
68 19 
Meta -aramid  45 13.5 
48 14.5 
75 22 
155 45 
Para -aramid  40 45 
62 68 
80 90 
 
Table  3 — Requirement for polyester and cotton core spun threads (continuous filament polyester  
core, cotton  sheath) and polyester/polyester core spun threads (continuous filament polyester  core,  
staple polyester fibre sheath)  
Thread  type Approximate  resultant  linear  density  
Tex Breaking  strength  for single strand , 
N, min.  
Polyester / cotton  22 6.5 
 26 8.8 
 34 11 
 40 13 
 43 16 
 68 25 
 80 29 
 100 35 
 120 44 
 160 59 
 255 88 
 385 130 
 475 175  
6 © UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  
  600 210 
 710 260 
Polyester/polyester  22 7.5 
 24 8.1 
 27 9.6 
 34 12 
 45 16.6 
 66 26.5 
 78 34 
 118 53 
 156 70 
 
Table  4 — Minimum colourfastness for dyed threads  
Agency  Numerical  Rating  Test Methods  
Change  in colou r Colour  staining  
Artificial light  4-5 - US ISO 105-B02 
Washing  3-4 4 US ISO 105 -C10 
Dry cleaning  3-4 4 US ISO 105-D01 
Perspiration  3-4 4 US ISO 105-E04 
Peroxide  washing  3-4 4 US EAS 247 
Weathering (outdoor exposure)  4-5 - ISO 105-B03 
 
Table 5 — Number of permissible  knots in a package of sewing  thread  
Package  length,  
m  
Permissible  knots  
Up to 1000  Not more  than 1 
More than 1 000 but not exceeding  2 500 Not more  than 2 
More than 2 500  but not exceeding  4 000 Not more  than 3 
More than 4 000 but not exceeding  5 500 Not more  than 4 
More than 5 500 but not exceeding  7 000 Not more  than 5 
More than 7 000 but not exceeding  8 500 Not more  than 6 
More than 8 500 Not more  than 7 
 DUS 948-1: 2019 
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  7 
 5 Package  formation,  wrapping  and packing  
5.1 Package  formation  
Sewing  threads  shall be compactly  and uniformly  wound  into cones , cheeses , spools, tubes, hanks or 
skeins . The free end of the thread  shall be securely fastened to prevent unravelling.  
5.2 Wrapping  
Each  package  shall be neatly  and securely  wrapped  in wrappers  to prevent  it from damage  or 
contamination with dust, moisture  or fumes.  
5.3 Pack aging 
The neatly  and securely  wrapped  packages  shall be packed  in boxes  (cartons)  in the agreed  quantities  
(preferably in dozens or grosses).  
6 Labelling  
6.1 Unit package  (carto n) 
Each unit package (carton) shall have a label be aring the following information with legible  and indelible  
marking in English and  any other additional language for example, Kiswahili, may be  agreed upon as the 
contract or order may direct  
a) manufacturer’s  name and  address;  
b) type of sewing thread;  
c) number of pieces in a carton;  
d) lot or batch number;  
e) net mass;  
f) country of origin; and  
g) year of manufacture  
6.2 Cones  (cheeses)  
The individual cones (cheeses) have the  following  information:  
a) type of thread;  
b) length of t hread; and  
c) nominal  resultant linear density/nominal count   
8 © UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
US 948 -1:2011 , Textiles  — Sewing threads — Part 1: Sewing thread s made wholly or partly from synthetic 
fibres — Specification  
 DUS 948-1: 2019 
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  9 
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda st andards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by  those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformit y to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 948-1: 2019   
 
ICS 59.080.20  
Price based on nn pages  
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved