The document discusses the swelling property of yarn. There are four types of swelling: transverse diameter swelling, transverse area swelling, axial swelling, and volume swelling. Swelling is measured as the fractional increase in diameter, area, length, or volume after a fiber absorbs water. The rates of swelling depend on factors like the material composition, size and form of the sample, external temperature conditions, and chemical contents. Swelling is important because it improves dye and chemical absorption, affects fabric dimensional stability, and changes elastic properties.