(1) crimped length
The distance between the ends of a fibre when substantially freed from external restraint, measured with respect to its general axis of orientation
(2) fibre extent
The distance between two planes which just enclose a fibre without intercepting it, each plane being perpendicular to the direction of the yarn or other assembly of which the fibre forms a part
(3) staple length
A quantity by which a sample of fibrous raw material is characterized as regards its technically most important fibre length
Note: The staple length of wool is usually taken as the length of the longer fibres in a hand prepared tuft or ‘staple’ in its naturally crimped and wavy condition (see crimp). With cotton, on the other hand, the staple length corresponds very closely to the modal or most frequent length of the fibres when measured in a straightened condition
(4) span lengt
The extent exceeded by a stated proportion of cotton fibres, eg, 2.5% span length is the length exceeded by only 2.5% of fibres by number
Textile Resource (http://www.textile.org.uk)
The staple length of the fiber. On combing wools, this is often 3-8 inches, on the down wools 1.5-3 inches. With cotton, it may be 1/4-1 inch long. Bast fibers, likes flax, may have a staple length of 36 inches
Textile Links (http://www.textilelinks.com)
