6 Indian standards on technical textiles

The 7th edition of International Exhibition and Conference on Technical Textiles, Technotex 2018 was organized from 28-29 June 2018 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon East, Mumbai. The theme of the conference was “Technical Textiles: Transforming India “Building Infrastructure for a New India” with a view to make India a manufacturing hub in the area of technical textiles under the ‘Make in India’ initiative of Govt of India besides projecting the latest technological development in the sector.

During the inaugural ceremony, the following 6 Indian standards of national importance on technical textiles were released in the presence of Dr Kavita Gupta, Textile Commissioner, Minister of Textiles, and Mahim Jain, Deputy Director General, Western Regional Office, Mumbai, BIS:

1) IS 16725:2018 ‘Textiles — Tactical 3 points sling universal — Specification’

This Indian Standard prescribes the requirement of ‘Tactical 3 points sling universal’. The requirements for Material and manufacture, Stitching, Workmanship and finish and Quality requirements for tape and shoulder pad has been specified.

The main role of tactical sling is to serves the tactical requirements of a specific combat scenario. It is a type of strap or harness designed to allow a shooter to carry a firearm (usually a long gun such as a rifle, carbine, shotgun, or submachine gun) on his/her person and/or aid in greater hit probability with that firearm. A tactical sling also makes simple tasks like reading maps and opening doors easier while maintaining control and accessibility to firearm.

2) IS 16726:2018 ‘Textiles — Pouch for ammunition and grenades made of disruptive pattern nylon 6 6 — Specification’

The standard prescribes the requirement of pouches for ammunition and grenades made of disruptive pattern Nylon 6 6 material. This standard does not specify the general appearance, lustre, feel, type of finish of pouch. The requirements for design and shape of pouch, stitching, freedom from defects, requirements and location of different pockets, requirements for shoulder strap, quality requirements for coated fabric like tear strength, abrasion resistance, colour fastness ratings, water proofness, resistance to flexing, requirement for coating has been specified.

Pouch for ammunition and grenades (Ammo pouches) provide security in storing ammunition, magazines and grenades with ease and safety. Ammo pouches can be used with rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers, making them the perfect versatile tool for carrying the necessary accessories for weapons. Ammo pouches have been shaped and formed to specifically suit different needs for different guns, as well as for other weapons like individual grenades.

3) IS 16950 : 2018 Medical Textiles — X-Ray Detectable Absorbent Cotton Gauze — Specification

This standard provides the definitions of X-ray detectable absorbent cotton gauze, and its workmanship and finish and covers the performance requirements such as, fibre identification, moisture content, threads per dm, weight per square meter, absorbency, water soluble substances, sulphated ash content, weight of X-ray detectable thread, barium sulphate content etc.

4) IS 16946 : 2018 Medical Textiles — Elasticated Tubular Bandages — Specification

This standard provides the definitions of elasticated tubular bandage, its workmanship and finish. The standard covers the performance and constructional requirements such as, fibre identification, no. of course and wale, elasticity, ratio of elasticated thread, fabric weight, water soluble substances.

5) IS 16948 : 2018 Medical Textiles — Permeable Nonwoven Surgical Adhesive Tape — Specification

This standard provides the definitions of permeable nonwoven surgical adhesive tape, its workmanship and finish. The standard covers the performance requirements such as, weight of backing material, weight of adhesive mass, water vapour permeability, adhesiveness, width of tape, perforations.

6) IS 16949 : 2018 Medical Textiles — Adhesive Extension Plaster — Specification

This standard provides the definitions of adhesive extension plaster, its workmanship and finish. The standard covers the performance requirements such as, fibre identification, threads per dm, weight per square metre, breaking strength, weight of adhesive mass, zinc oxide content, elasticity regain etc.

The release of above Indian Standards reinforced and reiterated the commitment of BIS for protection of health and safety and to take standardisation in the field of technical textiles to greater heights.