Common Tests on Apparel FABRICS

A list of common physical tests on apparel fabrics

The test methods can be found with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) http://www.aatcc.org/ and with the American Standard Test Methods (ASTM) volumes 7.01 and 7.02 http://www.astm.org/ . If you need to have something tested, there are several commercial certified laboratories like Intertek http://www.intertek-labtest.com/services/testing/apparelperformancetesting/?lang=en and Wal-Mart’s Consumer Testing Laboratories (CTL) http://www.consumertesting.com/


Construction
Test: Fabric Weight
Method: ASTM D3776
Requirement: +/- 5%

Thread Count
Test: ASTM D3887 (knits) ASTM D3775 (wovens)
Requirement: +/- 5%

Pilling Resistance
Method: AATCC 135/150
Requirement: Minimum class 3.0

Colorfastness to Crocking
Test: AATCC 8
Requirement: Dry Crocking Min class 4.0
Wet Crocking Min class 3.0

Colorfastness to Washing
Test: AATCC 135/150
Requirement: Shade change: Class 4.0

Colorfastness to Light
Test: AATCC 16
Requirement: Not needed for underwear

Colorfastness to Perspiration:
Test: AATCC 15
Requirement: Shade Change Class 4.0

Strength
Knits
Test: ASTM D3787
Requirement Lt-Med wt. 20 lbs
Wovens
Test: ASTM 5034
Light Weight min 25 Warp/15 Fill

Fiber Content
Test: ASTM D629
AATCC 20A
Requirement: +/- 3% stated on Label

Flammability
Test: 16CFR Part 1610
Requirement: Class 1

Fabric Defects
Test: ASTM D3990
Requirement: No major defects

And remember, an approved certified lab should stay within the standard conditioned setting of 21 degrees Celsius (+/- 1) and 65% (+/- 2%) Relative Humidity. So if you’re about to pass out from the heat in the dye house, go to the lab and cool off – that’s where you’ll find me!

Next we’ll look at tests for “Appearance and Durability After Washing”.

Sincerely,

The Underwear Maven
http://www.keylargounderwear.com/servlet/StoreFront