Exploring The Impact Of 6 Fabric Testing Standards Methods

Fabric testing standards in the clothing production process encompass various regulations and requirements within the textile manufacturing industry. Adhering to these standards ensures the consistently high quality of textile products. The article from Dugarco explores the importance of these test standards and delves into different testing methods, providing specific insights into the textile industry.

1. What are fabric testing standards?

Fabric testing standards encompass various quality tests performed throughout the textile manufacturing process, from raw material sourcing to the final product. These tests ensure that textile products meet specific physical and chemical properties, prioritizing consumer safety. The standards guarantee OEM garment manufacturer the best fabric quality by assessing factors such as color retention, resistance to fraying, and overall durability. Moreover, the commitment to excluding harmful chemicals from fabrics aims to prevent potential harm to consumers.

Overview of the Concept of Fabric Testing Standards

2. The significance of fabric test standards

Fabric testing standards play a crucial role in the textile and fabric manufacturing industry for several reasons:

• Quality and conformity testing: Standards set guidelines for quality and conformity testing of raw materials.
• Production process control: They ensure strict control over the production process to maintain the quality of finished products.
• Final product evaluation: Standards facilitate the evaluation and quality assurance of the final product.
• Defect Identification: They help investigate and identify defective materials or finished products.
• Benchmark establishment: Standards establish benchmarks for the quality of the fabric manufacturing process.
• Research and development: These standards serve research and development purposes.
• New product development: They contribute to perfecting the new product development process.

3. 6 Methods of fabric testing quality

Various methods are employed to assess the quality of yarn properties, encompassing tests for impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and resistance to chemical contaminants. The article highlights six fabric testing methods crucial for evaluating fabric quality.

3.1. Physical testing

Experts examine the fabric’s physical properties to gather extensive data for quality assurance in the physical testing method for textiles. This method involves evaluating fabric fibers based on criteria like weight, unit length, stiffness, fabric quantity for textile materials, coating, and more. The goal is to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of the textile through thorough assessment according to fabric testing standards.

3.2. Mechanical testing

Fabric testing standards employ various mechanical fabric testing methods, encompassing assessments for shrinkage, stress, bending, abrasion resistance, friction, and tearing. These methods involve testing tension levels to measure breaking strength, evaluating tear strength under specific conditions, and assessing fabric abrasion resistance through rubbing tests. The goal is to ensure fabric quality by examining mechanical properties according to established standards.

Breaking and tearing strength testing is the main purpose of mechanical methods

3.3. Chemical testing

Chemical testing in fabric evaluation involves assessing fabrics for harmful substances, including carcinogenic drug ingredients, toxic heavy metals, chlorine, and others. This method tests flammability and color fastness, ensuring that fabrics meet safety and performance standards. Sportswear undergoes pH and color fastness testing to ensure optimal performance during physical activities. Umbrella products are scrutinized for fabric durability and wash resistance, with testing influencing required product labeling. The burn test in fabric testing labs determines the speed of flame spread on specific fabrics.

3.4. Test fabric durability

Fabric durability testing involves assessing the maximum force a fabric can endure under continuous, controlled tension. Following fabric testing standards, a tensile testing device pulls the fabric from various angles until it breaks. This test helps determine the breaking point of a textile, revealing its stretchability and ability to return to its original shape.

3.5. Abrasion fabric test

Surface abrasion resistance of the fabric is assessed through continuous rubbing, utilizing methods like the Wyzenbeek and Martindale methods as per fabric testing standards. The Wyzenbeek method involves stretching the material on a machine and rubbing it back and forth with abrasive material, while the Martindale method employs fabric attached in the shape of an eight for rubbing. These tests aim to evaluate the fabric’s ability to withstand wear and tear over time.

3.6. Fabric pilling testing

Quality professionals use the ICI box pile driving method to assess textile trends. Woven patterns are attached to special polyurethane tubes and placed in a stacking box. The patterns are then mixed for a predetermined number of turns, allowing professionals to evaluate the textile’s durability and performance.

Check the fabric using the fabric pile method

4. Some ASTM and ISO standards for fabric testing

Several ASTM and ISO fabric testing standards contribute to fabric quality assessment:

• Standard D1388: Encompasses measuring fabric stiffness properties, bending length, and calculation of flexural stiffness.
• Standard D2261: Covers the measurement of tear strength through the blade process (single tear) using a constant expansion type (CRE) tensile tester.
• Standard D2594: Addresses the measurement of stretch and growth in knitted fabrics, particularly suitable for fabrics with low-power stretch properties.
• Standard D5034: Determines the breaking strength and elongation of most textile fabrics through take-and-modify test procedures, conducted in wet conditions.
• BS EN ISO 13935-1: Tests seam properties of fabrics and textile products, determining maximum force when the seam breaks through the strip method.
• BS EN ISO 13934-1: Assesses the tensile properties of fabrics, determining maximum force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method.

5. The organization regulates fabric testing standards

Fabric testing standards are specified by organizations such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials). Additionally, regional regulatory bodies may contribute to standardization and quality practices in the textile industry. These standards-setting organizations aim to ensure consistent product quality regardless of manufacturing location. In some cases, government agencies, like the FTC in the United States, may impose requirements on fabric manufacturing, particularly regarding garment labeling and eco-friendly claims.

The article discusses fabric testing standards, emphasizing their significance, testing methods, and common standards. It aims to provide valuable information on this standard. For further inquiries, please feel free to contact to Dugarco.