Definition
Dimensionally stable describes the property of a textile fabric or garment to retain its specified dimensions and geometric shape under defined conditions. A dimensionally stable material does not change to an unacceptable degree due to moisture, washing, mechanical stress, or temperature fluctuations. Dimensional stability is therefore a quality characteristic that ensures shape retention and the reproducibility of dimensions throughout the service life of the product.
Use in the textile industry
In the apparel industry, dimensional stability is required above all in interlinings, reinforcement fabrics, and technical textiles, since deviations within a composite construction can lead to fit problems or loss of function. For workwear, protective equipment, and uniformed clothing, dimensional stability after repeated laundering is a criterion of the product specification. In technical textile processing — for example in filter fabrics or reinforcement plies in composite materials — precise dimensional stability is a prerequisite for the function of the finished product.
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You have just looked up a single technical term. In textil trainer, you learn how textile materials, processes, and contexts are connected.
The free learning platform teaches textile fundamentals step by step in interactive online courses. Each online course includes its own glossary with the most important terms of the respective topic. Across all courses, more than 600 textile terms with narrated explanations are available.
textil trainer is developed together with the Chair of Textile Technologies at Chemnitz University of Technology, chemmedia AG, and companies and educational institutions from the textile sector.