Carpet Density
Carpet Density
With each of these construction characteristics in mind, several formulas are
available to evaluate carpet density and forecast performance. These three formulas
include: Average pile yarn density, weight density, and pile density index.
Finally, there is a Canadian formula for Pile Density as well.
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Average Carpet Pile Yarn Density - This formula is commonly used among carpet
specifiers and by many carpet retailers.
36 X w ÷ t (Or T) 36 times pile yarn weight
divided by tuft height (cut pile) or pile thickness
Where:
w = pile yarn weight in ounces per square yard
t = pile thickness for loop piles (ASTM
D-418)
T = tuft height for cut piles (ASTM D-418)
A 30 ounce cut pile with 1/2 inch pile height (36 X 30 = 1080
÷ 0.50 = 2160)
A 30 ounce cut pile with 1/4 inch pile height (36 X 30 = 1080
÷ 0.25 = 4320)
In this instance, the second carpet with the lower pile height has a higher
density as you might expect.
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Weight Density - This formula places a higher relevance on pile yarn weight
36 x w2
t (or T) 36 times weight times weight divided by pile height (cut pile)
or pile thickness
A 30 ounce cut pile with 1/2 inch pile height (36 x 30 x 30 = 32400
÷ 0.50 = 64800
A 30 ounce cut pile with 1/4 inch pile height (36 x 30 x 30 = 32400
÷ 0.50 = 129600
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Pile Density Index - This formula utilizes stitch rate and gauge rate and
disregards pile height altogether.
Yarn denier times rows/inch time stitches /inch
An 1/8 gauge product with 6.5 stitches per inch using 2600 denier would have
a pile Density index of 135200
2600 times 6.5 times 8 (gauge)
Whereas
a 1/10 gauge product with 6.5 stitches per inch using 2600 denier would have
a pile density of 169000
2600 times 6.5 times 10 (gauge) = 169,000
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The Canadian method and we list this for Canadians only.
yarn tex number X tufts/100cm2 ÷ 100000
or
yarn denier X pile ends/sq. inch ÷ 58070
The Canadian method is similar to the pile density Index except the conversions
are performed in metric values.
An 1/8 gauge product with 9.5 stitches per inch made with 2300 denier has
a calculated pile density of 6.02 ktex/cm2 ( To obtain pile ends per square
inch, double the tufts per square inch)--Canadians can figure this out though.
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It will pay dividends to be aware of these characteristics when shopping for
new carpet, but you must be flexible in shopping for the perfect product. Other
factors, including fiber type, dye method, color, stain treatments, and carpet
cushion (carpet padding) .
Article by Michael Hilton of carpetbuyershandbook.com - the Largest Online
Source for Unbiased Carpet Information (http://carpetbuyershandbook.com)
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