Determining Raw Cashmere Fibre Micron Profiles in Scoured Bales
Determining raw cashmere fibre micron profiles in scoured bales requires core sampling, lipid extraction, and truncated bimodal histogram distribution analysis.
Down Yield
Filling Measurement
The proportion of light plumulaceous clusters harvested from a raw avian plumage mixture determines the thermal insulation value of loose fill material. This percentage, known as the down yield, reflects the efficiency of the sorting process that separates insulating clusters from heavy feathers. High values indicate a cleaner, warmer product that occupies more volume for less weight.
The metric is a standard quality benchmark in the outerwear industry.
Extraction Process
Industrial separators use air currents to lift the lighter clusters while allowing heavy quills to fall into collection bins. Since down yield relies on the physical loft of the plumules, wet or soiled materials must be washed and dried before the testing begins. The raw mixture is processed several times to ensure that all useful down is extracted.
Standard laboratory tests must be performed under controlled humidity to prevent static cling.
Commercial Grade
High-grade jackets demand a high ratio of clusters to feathers to achieve the required insulation. When the down yield falls below eighty percent, the filling cannot provide the warmth expected of high-performance gear. Brands use this percentage to calculate the price of raw materials bought from agricultural brokers.
Quality Verification
Testing houses extract representative samples from bulk shipments to confirm the purity of the material. A discrepancy of even a few percent between the invoiced value and the tested yield leads to financial adjustments.