Definition
Decitex (unit symbol: dtex) is a unit of fiber fineness that expresses the mass in grams of 10,000 meters of a fiber bundle or filament. It equals one-tenth of the base unit tex and belongs to the metric count system. A value of 1 dtex corresponds to 0.1 g per 10,000 meters; the higher the dtex value, the coarser and heavier the fiber material.
Use in the textile industry
Decitex is the most widely used unit in the textile industry for designating the fineness of man-made fibers, particularly polyester, polyamide, and viscose fibers. It is stated on product data sheets, in raw material specifications, and in machine settings for spinning and weaving processes, since fiber fineness significantly influences the mechanical properties of the end product — such as handle, softness, and tensile strength. Typical values for textile applications range from approximately 0.8 dtex (microfibers) to several hundred dtex (technical textiles), depending on the intended use.
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