Knowledge Hub

AMANN ThreadLex: Textile terminology explained

Explore textile terminology from A to Z. Find clear definitions, synonyms and translations of technical terms related to sewing threads, embroidery, materials and textile manufacturing.

Find the right textile term

Looking for the meaning of a technical term or its equivalent in another language? 
AMANN ThreadLex helps you understand and navigate textile terminology quickly and easily.

Browse terms alphabetically or search for a specific keyword to discover definitions, alternative expressions and multilingual translations – all in one place.

Category English Term Synonyms Short definition (EN) DE
Thread quality and performance Abrasion resistance Wear resistance The ability to withstand rubbing and repeated surface contact without failure. Scheuerbeständigkeit
Translations
DE Scheuerbeständigkeit
FR Résistance à l’abrasion
ES Resistencia a la abrasión
IT Resistenza all’abrasione
CN 耐磨性
VN Khả năng chống mài mòn
Not to be confused with Different tests simulate different abrasion mechanisms.
Thread quality and performance Boiling shrinkage Hot-water shrinkage Thread shrinkage measured after exposure to boiling or defined hot water conditions. Kochschrumpf
Translations
DE Kochschrumpf
FR Retrait à l’ébullition
ES Encogimiento por ebullición
IT Ritiro all’ebollizione
CN 沸水收缩率
VN Độ co khi luộc
Not to be confused with Use only when the actual test involves hot water.
Thread quality and performance Breaking force Maximum tensile force The maximum force recorded when a thread is pulled until it breaks. Bruchkraft
Translations
DE Bruchkraft
FR Force de rupture
ES Fuerza de rotura
IT Forza di rottura
CN 断裂力
VN Lực đứt
Not to be confused with Breaking force is measured in force units and is not identical to tenacity.
Thread quality and performance Colour fastness Color fastness Resistance of a colour to change or transfer under defined influences such as washing, light or rubbing. Farbechtheit
Translations
DE Farbechtheit
FR Solidité des couleurs
ES Solidez del color
IT Solidità del colore
CN 色牢度
VN Độ bền màu
Not to be confused with Always state the relevant fastness type and test standard.
Thread quality and performance Diameter variation Thread diameter deviation A local deviation in thread diameter from the expected average. Durchmesserschwankung
Translations
DE Durchmesserschwankung
FR Variation de diamètre
ES Variación del diámetro
IT Variazione del diametro
CN 直径变化
VN Biến thiên đường kính
Not to be confused with Linear density and apparent diameter are related but not identical.
Thread quality and performance Elasticity Elastic recovery The ability of a thread or seam to recover after deformation. Elastizität
Translations
DE Elastizität
FR Élasticité
ES Elasticidad
IT Elasticità
CN 弹性
VN Độ đàn hồi
Not to be confused with High elongation does not automatically mean high elasticity.
Thread quality and performance Elongation Extension The increase in thread length under tensile load, usually expressed as a percentage. Dehnung
Translations
DE Dehnung
FR Allongement
ES Alargamiento
IT Allungamento
CN 伸长率
VN Độ giãn dài
Not to be confused with State whether elongation at a defined force or at break is meant.
Thread quality and performance Elongation at break Maximum tensile elongation The percentage elongation measured when the thread breaks. Bruchdehnung
Translations
DE Bruchdehnung
FR Allongement à la rupture
ES Alargamiento a la rotura
IT Allungamento a rottura
CN 断裂伸长率
VN Độ giãn dài khi đứt
Not to be confused with Not the same as elastic recovery.
Thread quality and performance Fraying Thread fraying Separation or damage of filaments or fibres at the thread surface or end. Ausfransen
Translations
DE Ausfransen
FR Effilochage
ES Deshilachado
IT Sfilacciamento
CN 磨损起毛
VN Tưa sợi
Not to be confused with Often a symptom of abrasion, needle damage or unsuitable thread path.
Thread quality and performance Friction Coefficient of friction The resistance generated when thread moves against machine components, itself or material. Reibung
Translations
DE Reibung
FR Frottement
ES Fricción
IT Attrito
CN 摩擦
VN Ma sát
Not to be confused with Specify the friction pair and test conditions.
Thread quality and performance Gliding capability Thread glide; sliding behaviour The ability of a thread to pass through machine guides, the needle eye and material with controlled resistance. Gleitfähigkeit
Translations
DE Gleitfähigkeit
FR Capacité de glissement
ES Capacidad de deslizamiento
IT Scorrevolezza
CN 滑动性能
VN Khả năng trượt
Not to be confused with Not identical to low friction under every condition.
Thread quality and performance Knot Thread knot A tied joint or entanglement in yarn or thread that may disrupt processing. Knoten
Translations
DE Knoten
FR Nœud
ES Nudo
IT Nodo
CN 结头
VN Nút thắt
Not to be confused with Not every intentional securing knot is a thread defect.
Thread quality and performance Linting Fluff generation The release of fibres or particles from a thread during processing. Faserflug / Fusselbildung
Translations
DE Faserflug / Fusselbildung
FR Peluchage
ES Formación de pelusa
IT Formazione di peluria
CN 掉毛
VN Phát sinh xơ bụi
Not to be confused with Do not confuse linting with thread fraying.
Thread quality and performance Lubricant Sewing lubricant A substance applied to thread to influence friction and processing behaviour. Präparationsmittel / Gleitmittel
Translations
DE Präparationsmittel / Gleitmittel
FR Lubrifiant
ES Lubricante
IT Lubrificante
CN 润滑剂
VN Chất bôi trơn
Not to be confused with Excess lubricant can also cause processing or staining problems.
Thread quality and performance Lubrication Thread finish; lubricant application A controlled finish applied to optimise friction, heat behaviour and sewability. Präparation / Gleitmittelauftrag
Translations
DE Präparation / Gleitmittelauftrag
FR Lubrification
ES Lubricación
IT Lubrificazione
CN 润滑
VN Bôi trơn
Not to be confused with Do not translate only as “Schmierung” in textile production contexts.
Thread quality and performance Quality characteristic Performance characteristic A measurable or assessable property used to evaluate thread or seam performance. Qualitätsmerkmal
Translations
DE Qualitätsmerkmal
FR Caractéristique de qualité
ES Característica de calidad
IT Caratteristica qualitativa
CN 质量特性
VN Đặc tính chất lượng
Not to be confused with Do not confuse a characteristic with a test method.
Thread quality and performance Sewability Sewing performance The ability of a thread to run reliably and form flawless stitches under defined sewing conditions. Vernähbarkeit
Translations
DE Vernähbarkeit
FR Cousabilité
ES Cosebilidad
IT Cucibilità
CN 可缝性
VN Khả năng may
Not to be confused with Sewability depends on thread, machine, needle, material and settings.
Thread quality and performance Shrinkage Thread shrinkage The reduction in thread length caused by heat, moisture or treatment. Schrumpf
Translations
DE Schrumpf
FR Retrait
ES Encogimiento
IT Ritiro
CN 收缩率
VN Độ co
Not to be confused with Specify the treatment conditions and measurement method.
Thread quality and performance Splice Yarn splice A joint created by intermingling yarn ends without a conventional knot. Spleißstelle
Translations
DE Spleißstelle
FR Épissure
ES Empalme
IT Giunzione
CN 接头
VN Mối nối
Not to be confused with A poor splice can behave as a thick or weak place.
Thread quality and performance Static charge Electrostatic charge Electrical charge that builds up on thread or machine components during processing. Statische Aufladung
Translations
DE Statische Aufladung
FR Charge électrostatique
ES Carga estática
IT Carica elettrostatica
CN 静电荷
VN Điện tích tĩnh
Not to be confused with Do not confuse antistatic performance with electrical conductivity.
Thread quality and performance Strength Thread strength The ability of a thread to withstand mechanical load. Festigkeit
Translations
DE Festigkeit
FR Résistance
ES Resistencia
IT Resistenza
CN 强度
VN Độ bền
Not to be confused with Always state the relevant test and unit when using numerical values.
Thread quality and performance Tenacity Specific strength Breaking force normalised to linear density, enabling comparison between thread sizes. Reißfestigkeit bezogen auf Feinheit
Translations
DE Reißfestigkeit bezogen auf Feinheit
FR Ténacité
ES Tenacidad
IT Tenacità
CN 比强度
VN Độ bền riêng
Not to be confused with Do not use as a direct synonym for breaking force.
Thread quality and performance Tensile strength Tensile performance Resistance to a tensile load relative to the defined specimen or cross-section. Zugfestigkeit
Translations
DE Zugfestigkeit
FR Résistance à la traction
ES Resistencia a la tracción
IT Resistenza alla trazione
CN 拉伸强度
VN Độ bền kéo
Not to be confused with Often confused with breaking force; use the term required by the test method.
Thread quality and performance Thermal shrinkage Heat shrinkage Thread shrinkage caused by exposure to elevated temperature. Thermoschrumpf
Translations
DE Thermoschrumpf
FR Retrait thermique
ES Encogimiento térmico
IT Ritiro termico
CN 热收缩率
VN Độ co nhiệt
Not to be confused with Not the same as melting or thermal degradation.
Thread quality and performance Thick spot Thick place A local section of thread with an abnormally large diameter. Dickstelle
Translations
DE Dickstelle
FR Grosseur
ES Punto grueso
IT Punto grosso
CN 粗节
VN Điểm dày
Not to be confused with May be disruptive or non-disruptive depending on severity.