Woolmark Test Method. Test Method TWC-TM279 PILE THICKNESS OF UPHOLSTERY AND BEDDING FABRICS

Transcription

1 Woolmark Test Method Test Method TWC-TM279 PILE THICKNESS OF UPHOLSTERY AND BEDDING FABRICS Version 2009

2 TWC-TM279 PILE THICKNESS OF UPHOLSTERY AND BEDDING FABRICS 1. SCOPE The method is applicable to woven and knitted pile upholstery, and bedding products. 2. PRINCIPLE Small samples of fabric are mounted on card. The cards are then supported vertically in a holder, so that a cross-section of the fabric sample is presented to the observer. The mount is viewed under strong light through a hand lens and the pile thickness measured directly using a transparent ruler resting on the edge of the mount. 3. DEFINITIONS Pile Thickness The distance, measured perpendicular to the backing, from the point where the pile emerges from the backing structure to its extremity. 4. APPARATUS 4.1 Ruler, (transparent) graduated in 1 mm divisions. 4.2 Light source (eg Desk lamp). 4.3 Hand lens of approximately 1.5 to 2 times in magnifying power. 4.4 Stiff card 4.5 Metal slide holder, to support sample mounts in a vertical position (see Fig 1). 4.6 Scissors or other suitable instrument for cutting the card and test samples. 4.7 Black and white paper to line the slide holder. 4.8 Double sided adhesive tape. Version 2009 Page 2 of 5

3 5. STANDARD ATMOSPHERE The standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing is:- Relative Humidity: 65 ± 3% Temperature: 20 ± 2 The standardized atmosphere for testing shall meet the conditions described in IWTO-52. Specimens shall be conditioned from the dry side (specimens having a regain less than 10% but not oven dry) as described in IWTO-52. Each testing laboratory shall determine the time required to pre-condition specimens prior to conditioning in the standard atmosphere. 6. TEST SPECIMENS 6.1 Cut three specimens, each 20 x 20 mm, from representative areas of the fabric, ensuring that the cut edges are parallel to warp and weft or wales and courses. Where fabrics have areas of different pile thickness prepare 3 specimens from each area. NOTE 1: For long pile it may be necessary to work from the back of the fabric using a blade to cut the backing fabric only. This will ensure that pile tufts originating in the area being cut out are not shortened. 6.2 Secure each specimen to the central part of a strip of stiff card 60 x 20 mm using double sided adhesive tape, with the pile facing upwards (see Fig 1). For fabrics in which the pile lies in a definite direction, mount the specimen so that the pile lies in the direction of the short axis of the strip of card. 7. TEST PROCEDURE 7.1 Select an appropriate paper base to line the bottom of the slide holder. NOTE 2: This should be a contrast to the fabric under test, white for dark and strongly coloured fabric, and black for light coloured fabric. (This enables the extremity of the pile to be more clearly defined). 7.2 Place the prepared specimen on the cardboard mounts in the slots in the slide holder (see Fig. 1). Ensure that for long pile fabrics the card mount is placed in the holder so that the pile points downward and the mounts are strongly illuminated. 7.3 Place the transparent ruler at right angles across the top of the card mounts with the scale approximately in line with the centre line of the fabric specimens. 7.4 Position the ruler so that the line formed by the junction of the backing with the tufts of the pile is under a convenient unit scale mark on the Version 2009 Page 3 of 5

4 ruler (see Fig 2). Measure the thickness of the pile by noting the number of millimetre divisions over which the pile extends. Read to the nearest 0.5 mm. To help in measuring, view the sample through the hand lens. 7.5 If the range of measured values (defined as the difference between the highest and lowest test result) exceeds the critical value below, repeat the trial and average the results. Property Pile height Critical range value 5mm 8. CALCULATION OF RESULTS Calculate the mean pile thickness of the three measurements from each area. 9. REPORTING OF RESULTS Note: All specimens shall be identified by a traceable and unique number that shall be recorded on the report. Report that the test was carried out according to Woolmark TWC-TM279. Report the identification of the sample. Report the test date. Report the mean pile thickness (in mm). Report any deviation from the procedure described (eg, no conditioning before measurement). 10. REFERENCES None 11. RELATED TEST METHOD Test Method Title (abbreviated) 248 Non Recoverable Extension of Blankets 249 Drape of Blanket Fabrics 266 Fibre Permeation through Cover Fabrics of Fibre Filled Products 272 Low Pressure Bulk of Loose Wool Fills (for Over-Body Bedding and Pillows) 274 Entanglement and Felting of Loose Soft Knop Fills for Bedding 277 Shorn Pile Weight of Pile Furnishing and Bedding Fabrics ('Band Knife' Method) 287 Appearance Retention of Sliver Knit Bedding Products Version 2009 Page 4 of 5

5 12. APPENDICES Figure 1 Figure 2 The Woolmark Company Pty Limited 2008 All rights reserved. This work is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owner. Neither may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission. Version 2009 Page 5 of 5