KENYA STANDARD  DKS 1113 -1:2022 
ICS 59.080.20  
Second  Edition  
 
 © KEBS 2022   
 Specification  for staple spun yarns  
Part 1 : Cotton  yarns  
 
 KS 1113 -1:2022 
ii © KEBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
Agriculture and Food Authority — Fibre Crops Directorate (AFA -FCD)  
Intertek International Ltd . 
Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)  
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)  
Ministry of State Defence — Research and Development  Department  
Moi University  
Spin Knit Ltd . 
Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development — State Department for Industrialization — 
Direct orate of Agro -Industries  
Technical University of Kenya — Department of Fashion, Clothing and Textiles  
Texfab B.S  
East Africa Fine Spinners Ltd.  
Synthetic Fibres (K) Ltd.  
Spinners & Spinners Ltd.  
Kenya Threads Industry Ltd.  
Kenya Taitex Mills Ltd.  
Ministry of Public Works — Materials Department  
Nakuru Industries Ltd.  
Rift Valley Textiles Ltd.  
Blanket Industries Ltd.  
Raymond Woollen Mills (K) Ltd.  
Kicomi (1983) Ltd.  
Cotton Board of Kenya  
Ken-Knit (K) Ltd.  
Kenya Prisons — Tailoring Division  
Bonar (E.A.) Ltd.  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
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improvements to  published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome.  
© Kenya Bureau of Standards  2022  
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of 2001 of  the Laws of Kenya, copyr ight subsists 
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Managing Director.  
  KENYA STANDARD  KS 1113 -1:2022 
ICS 59.080.20  
Second  Edition  
 
© KEBS 202 2 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Specification for s taple spun yarns  
Part 1 : Cotton  yarns  
  Kenya Bureau of Standards, Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road,  
P.O. Box 54974 - 00200,  Nairobi, Kenya  
 +254 020 6948000, + 254 722202137, + 254 734600471  
 info@kebs.org  
 @KEBS_ke  
 kenya bureau of standards (kebs)  
KS 1113 -1:2022 
iv © KEBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
This Part 1 of this Kenya Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on  Yarns and Fibre  under 
guidance of the Standards  Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Ke nya Bureau 
of Standards.  
Yarn quality affects not only the efficiency of fabric production but also the fabric quality. Yarn quality 
specification will therefore be of utmost importa nce and interest to the spinner, weaver, knitter and yarn 
merchant.  
This Part 1 of this Kenya Standard has been developed with these interests in mind.  
Yarns are produced in a wide range of counts (linear densities) or varying fibre blend compositions and 
proportions for various end -users. This Kenya Standard takes into consideration all the variations and specifies 
only the minimum requirements for essential quality characteristics of yarns.  
This Second edition cancels and replaces the First edition (KS 11 13-1:1993 ) which has been technically 
revised. The changes are as follows;  
               -Test methods in clauses 4 , 5.1, 5.3,  5.5, 5.6  and 5.8 have been updated  
               -Formular for coefficient of variation of linear density has been corrected  
              -Requirement on fibre composition (clause 5.10) has been added  
               -Clause 7 on sampling have been added  
               -Method of determination of moisture regain  have been added in annex A  
 
During the preparation of this standard , reference was made to the following document:  
KS 1113 -1:1993 Specification for staple spun yarns Part 1. Cotton yarns  
Acknowledgment is hereby made for assistance received from these sources.  KS 1113 -1:2022   
 
© KEBS 2022 – All rights reserved   
 Specification for staple spun yarns  — Part 1. Cotton  yarns  
1 Scope  
This Part 1 of this Kenya Standard specifies the requirements , test methods and sampling method  for 100 per 
cent cotton spun yarns.  
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such 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 th e referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ASTM D2255 , Standard Test Method for Grading Spun Yarns for Appearance  
KS ISO 139,  Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing  
KS ISO 1139, Textiles — Designation of yarns  
KS ISO 1 144, Textiles — Universal system for designating linear density (Tex System)  
KS ISO 2060, Textiles — Yarn from packages — Determination of linear density (mass per unit length) by the 
skein method  
KS ISO 2061, Textiles — Determination of twist in yarns — Direct counting method  
KS ISO 6741 -1, Textiles — Fibres and yarns — Determination of commercial mass of consignments — Part 1: 
Mass determination and calculations.  
 
KS ISO 2062, Textiles — Yarns from packages — Determination of single -end breaking force an d elongation 
at break using constant rate of extension (CRE) tester  
KS ISO 16549, Textiles — Unevenness of textile strands — Capacitance method  
 
3. Application  
This Part 1 of this Kenya Standard applies to single -spun grey cotton yarns, except single -spun cotton slub 
yarns  
4 Terms and definitions  
For the purpose of this Part 1 of this Kenya Standard, the following definitions together with those  given in 
KS ISO 11 39 and KS ISO 11 44   shall apply:  
4.1 linear density  — The mass per unit length of a yarn.  It is expressed in tex or multiples or submultiples 
 thereof.  
4.2 tex — Number of grams per kilometre of yarn.   
© KEBS 202 2 – All rights reserved  iii 
 4.3 breaking force  — The maximum force applied to a specimen in a tensile test carried to rupture. It is 
expressed in Newtons, centiNewtons or milliNewtons.  
4.4 tenacity  — The ratio of the tension to the linear density of an unstrained specimen. It is expressed in 
 Newtons per tex or centiNewtons per tex.  
4.5 breaking tenacity  — The tenacity corresponding to the breaking force.  
NOTE:  The breaking  tenacity is  calculated from  the breaking  force and  the  linear density  of  the unstrained specimen, or, fo r specimens 
of kn own linear density, obtained directly from tensile testing machines, which can be suitably adjusted to indicate tenacity inst ead of 
breaking force.  
4.6 twist  — The number of turns about the axis of a length of specimen equal to the nominal gauge length 
before  untwisting. Twist shall preferably be expressed in turns per metre (t.p.m.) but may also be expressed 
in turns per centimetre (t.p.cm.).  
4.7 elongation per cent  — The increase in length of a specimen expressed as a percentage of the original 
length; e xtension per cent.  
NOTE:  In a tensile test, the elongation per cent, or extension per cent, is calculated on the basis of   
 the nominal gauge length of a pre -tensioned specimen.  
4.8 elongation at the breaking force  — The elongation produced by the breakin g force, i.e. the maximum 
force.  
4.9 grey cotton yarn  — Yarn as it leaves the spinning frame or winding frame without any bleaching, dyeing 
or any finishing  treatment, and in the case of open -end yarn with or without waxing.  
4.10 yarn packages  — A length or lengths of yarn in a form suitable for use, handling, storing or shipping.  
Packages may be unsupported, such as balls, skeins or cakes or supported, such as bobbins, cops, cones, 
pirns, spools, tubes, or beams.  
4.11 moisture regain  — The mass of moistu re present in a textile material expressed as a percentage of the 
oven -dry mass.  
 
5 Requirements  
5.1 Linear Density  — The nominal linear density of the yarn shall be as declared, subject to a tolerance of ± 3 
per cent.  This shall be determined in accordan ce with KS ISO 2060  
5.2 Coefficient of Variation of Linear Density  — The coefficient of variation of the linear density of the     yarn 
shall not exceed 3.5 per cent for carded yarns and 2.5 per cent for combed yarns.  The coefficient of variation 
(C.V.) of the yarns shall be determined from the following formula:  
    
CV= 
%100 X 
x  
 
where,   

12


nxx
   
iv © KEBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
  
 where,   
  x = the linear density in tex of any yarn sample;  
x
 = the mean linear density in tex of all the yarn samples;  
n
 = the total number of samples; an d 
 
 = the standard deviation in tex.  
5.3 Yarn Twist  — The turns per metre (or centimetre) in the yarn shall be as declared subject to a tolerance 
of ± 5 per cent. This shall be determined in accordance with KS ISO 2061  
5.4 Elongation  at the Breaking Force  — The minimum elongation at the breaking force of the yarn shall be 
4.5 per cent.  This shall be determined in accordance with KS ISO 2062.  
5.5 Breaking Tenacity  — The minimum breaking tenacity of the yarn shall be as specified in Tab le 1. The 
breaking tenacity of the yarn shall be determined in accordance with KS  ISO 2062  
5.6 Yarn Unevenness (Irregularity)  — The yarn unevenness in terms of coefficient variation (% C.V.)   shall 
be determined in accordance with KS ISO 16549  
5.6.1 Unevenness of Carded Ring Spun Yarns  — The coefficient of variation (irregularity) of the carded 
ring spun yarns shall not exceed those specified in Table 2.  
5.6.2 Unevenness of Combed Ring Spun Yarns  — The coefficient of variation (irregularity) of the combe d 
ring  spun yarns shall not exceed those specified in Table 3.  
5.6.3 Unevenness of Carded Rotor Spun Yarns  — The coefficient of variations (irregularity) of the carded 
rotor  spun yarns shall not exceed those specified in Table 4.  
5.7 Moisture Regain  — The moisture regain of the yarn shall not exceed 8.5 per cent. This shall be determined 
in accordance with Annex A.   
5.8 Yarn Appearance  — The appearance of the yarn when tested in accordance with ASTM D2255  shall be 
of a grade not lower than that specified in Table 5.  
5.9 Package Mass  — The mass of the package , conditioned as per KS ISO 139 shall be as declared subject 
to a tolerance of – 2 per cent.  
  5.10 The fibre composition and proportion of the yarn shall be 100% Cotton .  This shall be determined in 
accordance with KS ISO 1833 -11. 
                    Table 1 — Requirement for Breaking Tenacity  
SL NO        YARN TYPE  MINIMUM 
BREAKING 
TENACITY: CN/Tex  TEST METHOD  
(i) Combed ring spun for 
weaving             15.0 KS ISO 2062   
© KEBS 202 2 – All rights reserved  v 
                              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                      Table 2 — Requirements for Unevenness for Carded Ring Spun Yarns  
S/N LINEAR DENSITY, Tex  C.V. % Max.  Test method  
i.  Coarser than 60  15.5 KS ISO 16549  
ii.  60-35 12.5 
iii.  33-25 13.5 
iv.  24-20 14.5 
v.  19-16 15.0 
vi.  15-13 15.5 
vii.  Finer than 13  15.8 
 
                Table 3 — Requirements for Unevenness for Combed Ring Spun Yarns  
S/N  
LINEAR DENSITY, Tex   
C.V. % Max.   
Test Method  
i.  24-20 10.5 KS ISO 16549  
ii.  19-16 11.0 
iii.  15-13 12.5 
iv.  12-11 13.0 
v.  10-9 13.5 
vi.  8-7.6 14.0 
vii.  7-6.4 14.5 (ii) Combed ring spun for 
knitting             14.0 
(iii) Carded ring spun for 
weaving             13.5 
(iv) Carded ring spun for 
knitting             13.0 
(v) Carded rotor spun for 
weaving             10.5 
(vi) Carded rotor spun for 
knitting              9.0  
vi © KEBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 viii.  Finer than 6.4  15.0 
 
 
              Table 4 — Requirements for Unevenness for Carded Rotor Spun Yarns  
 
S/N  
LINEAR DENSITY, Tex   
C.V. % Max.   
Test method  
i.  Coarser than 60  11.0 KS ISO 16549  
ii.  60-35 12.5 
iii.  33-25 13.5 
iv.  24-20 14.5 
v.  19-16 15.5 
vi.  15-13 16.0 
 
 
                      Table 5 — Requirements for Yarn Appearance  
S/N  
YARN TYPE AND COUNT (Tex)   
GRADE  
i.  Combed ring spun, all counts  B 
ii.  Carded ring spun, counts coarser than 60  D 
iii.  Carded ring spun, counts finer than 60  C 
iv.  Carded rotor spun, all counts  C 
 
 
6 Wrapping and packing  
Yarn package(s) shall be wrapped in suitable wrappers or packed in suitable containers to protect them from 
damage while being handled or while on transit or in storage.  
6 Marking  
6.1  Unit packages  
Each unit package shall have a label bearing the following information:   
© KEBS 202 2 – All rights reserved  vii 
 a) manufacturer’s name and address or registered trade mark;  
b) linear density in tex;  
c) spinning method used, e.g. ring spun or rotor spun;  
d) Whether carded or combed  
e) name of material, i .e. 100 % cotton  yarn;  
f) package mass;  
g) yarn twist in t.p.m or t.p.cm;  
h) lot/batch number . 
i) Whether waxed or not waxed (rotor spun yarns).  
j) country of origin  
k) Recommended end -use. 
 
6.2 Bulk c ontainers  
Each bulk container shall have a label bearing the following information:  
a) manufacture’s name and address or registered trade mark;  
b) name of material, i .e. 100 % cotton  yarn;  
c) linear density in tex;  
d) quantity of pieces;  
e) Whether carded or combed  
f) spinning method used, e.g. ring spun or r otor spun;  
g) gross mass of the container;  
h) lot/batch number; and  
i) country of origin  
 
 
7 Sampling  
7.1 Lot  
 
7.1.1 The quantity of cotton spun yarns  of the same variety delivered to a buyer against a despatch note shall 
constitute the lot.  
7.1.2 The conformity of  the lot to the requirements of this standard shall be determined based on the tests 
carried out on the samples selected from the lot.  
7.1.3 Unless otherwise agreed to between the buyer and the seller, the number of packs to be selected at 
random from a lo t shall be as follows:  
SN Number of Packs in the Lot  Number of Packs to be Selected  
i.  Upto 15  5 
ii.  16-30 7  
viii © KEBS 2022 – All rights reserved  
 iii.  31-50 10 
iv.  51-100 15 
v.  101-300 25 
vi.  301 and above  30 
 
7.1.4  Acceptance criteria - Acceptance shall be based on conformity of the lot to the requirements of this 
standard.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
© KEBS 202 2 – All rights reserved  ix 
 ANNEX A 
(Normative)  
Determination of Moisture Regain  
A.1 Principe  
A known mass of yarns is dried and then the loss in mass expressed as  a ratio of the dry mass.  
 
A.2 Apparatus  
 A.2.1 Weighing balance , Capable of weighing to an accuracy of 0.001 g.  
A.2.2 Drying Oven , well ventilated with a temperature of 102 °C to 105 °C  
A.2.3 Desiccator , waterproof when sealed, will be used for transfer of analysed material and during weighing.  
 
 A.3 Procedure  
A.3.1  From the sample under test draw at least t hree test specimens each weighing approximately 5 g. 
A.3.2 Take a test specimen drawn as in A.3.1 and  weigh it accurately  (M1) 
A.3.3 Dry it at a temperature of 102°C to 105°C until constant mass is obtained  (see note)  
A.3.4 Cool the test specimen  in a desiccator  and determine the oven -dry mass (M2).  
NOTE The mass is usually regarded as constant if the loss between two successive weighin g, taken at an interval of 30 min does not 
exceed  0.1 per cent of the first of the two values.  
 
A.3.5  Similarly test the other test specimen(s).  
 
A.4 Calculation  
Moisture regain = 
%100 
22 1X 
MM M  
A.5 Report  
 Report the average of the value calculated in A.4 as the moisture regain in %.