Overview
ISO 5080:1994 specifies the principal characteristics, test methods and commercial presentation for sisal agricultural twines (sisal twine). It replaces the 1977 edition and applies to monofil sisal twines made from new long fiber sisal (Agave sisalana). The standard defines product designation, required physical properties, sampling and laboratory test procedures, packaging, marking and rules for forming sale lots.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Product designation: Twines are designated as “Ficelle agricole sisal” with a code number (examples: no 150, no 200, no 300).
- Length (m/kg): Nominal metricage values and tolerances are given for each code (examples shown for 150, 200, 300 m/kg with respective tolerances).
- Linear mass (tex): Determined from weighed 30 m specimens; calculation method is specified.
- Breaking force (tensile strength): Minimum breaking forces are specified per code (examples in the standard: 98 daN, 69 daN, 40 daN for the referenced codes). Tensile tests use a constant jaw-speed of 500 mm/min ±50 mm/min with specified specimen lengths and conditioning.
- Grease (fat) content: A minimum percentage by dry mass is required (13% dm for listed codes). Extraction is specified by Soxhlet, ~4 h extraction, solvent removal and drying at 103 °C ±2 °C (3 h) before weighing.
- Sampling and acceptance: The standard specifies how to form laboratory samples from lots and the number of bobbins per sample. Procedures for re-testing (counter-tests) when results fall outside tolerances are included.
- Packaging and marking: Twines must be supplied in balls (pelotes) with maximum dimensions defined for different types (examples provided for high/medium density and low-density twine). Each bale or carton must be marked with at least the nominal length and the standard reference ISO 5080:1994; markings must comply with applicable national regulations.
- Lot constitution and sale tolerances: Rules are given for sale by mass (permitted shortfalls depending on number of bales) and sale by bale (no tolerance on bale count).
Applications and users
- Targeted at manufacturers, quality laboratories, suppliers, and purchasers of agricultural twine.
- Practical use cases include specifying twine for balers, harvesters and binder machines (presses and mowers), procurement contracts, quality control and compliance checks.
- Useful for agribusiness procurement teams, textile and rope laboratories, and national standards bodies harmonizing sisal twine specifications.
Related standards
ISO 5080 references related textile and testing terminology standards such as:
Keywords: ISO 5080:1994, sisal agricultural twines, sisal twine, tensile strength, mass per length, grease content, sampling, packaging, marking, test methods.
