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Textile testing is the process of measuring the properties and performance of textile materials—textile testing includes physical and chemical testing of raw materials to finished products.

Textile testing assists textile production in selecting various types of fibers and their transformation into yarn, fabric, and finished goods such as clothing. The materials are evaluated at multiple stages of production to qualify, compare, and standardize to meet the norms of different production stages and consumer requirements. The testing of textiles is carried out in laboratories and in the field using simple to sophisticated testing methods and equipment. In textile testing, many analytical instruments and online monitoring systems are utilized. Textile testing adds value to different agencies involved in the textile supply chain, from production, distribution and consumption.[1][2]

Multiple units are utilized to measure textile fibers, threads, yarns, and fabrics.

History

Textile testing is the process of evaluating the quality and properties of a textile material through a series of tests at various stages of manufacturing.[1] Textile testing, like textiles, is a vast subject. The historical evolution of textile measuring, and testing methods is difficult to consolidate as the subject is scattered and has different stage timelines for its starting points.[3]

At the end of the 18th century, the first mechanical spinning mills began to operate. However, for more than 150 years, the textile industry relied on subpar testing equipment. The yarns had to be visually checked, either by manually stretching a few yarns or by inspecting them on the blackboard.

Between 1935 and 1945, the electronics industry made huge strides to produce military equipment. After World War II, new electronic components improved measurement technology. Testing textiles was one area of application among many. After 1950, it was possible to check in an instant what it took 30 minutes to measure [fiber length] with an end-aligned staple diagram apparatus.[4]

Timeline of the important tests and equipment's

Objectives

Textile testing helps in many ways in the textile manufacturing process, from research, raw material selection, process control, product testing, process development, and testing specifications. It also plays a vital role in the operations of the textile bureau.[1][2] Textile testing facilitates in-line processing [by preventing complications in subsequent steps] and also recommends wash and care instructions for the final product.

Selection of raw material

Variable quality is a characteristic shared by all raw materials. Fibers have different colors, fineness, and length, yarns vary in count, twist, and strength, and fabrics vary with density, thread count, weight, and shrinkage levels. The proper selection of raw materials facilitates the smooth operation of subsequent stages.[2]

Product testing

The objective of product testing is to ensure that the finished product performs as expected.[2]

Testing standards

Specific organizations have developed testing procedures, such as the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These testing procedures allow for accurate assessment of textile product properties, such as the relative strength or tenacity of the fibers, etc.[6]

Since 1921, the AATCC has been serving the textile industry. During World War I, when the Atlantic blockade prevented European dyes from entering America and the newly formed American dye manufacturers struggled to provide consistent products, the need for American textile testing methods became apparent.[7] The AATCC has developed over two hundred textile standards, test methods, evaluation procedures, and monographs. These specifications are published annually in the AATCC Technical Manual.[8]

The American National Standards Institute approves the textile performance standards set by ASTM International.[9] Other testing agencies or bodies that are recognized or accepted as international standards based on contracts include the following:[10]

Standards organisation
ASTM ASTM International
AATCC American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
BS British Standards
ISO International Organization for Standardization
IWTO International Wool Textile Organisation
EN European Standard
Oekotex Oeko-Tex
AS/NZS

Fiber testing

Textile testing is conducted at various stages, including raw materials, fibers, yarn, fabric, and finished product.

The basic raw material in the spinning industry is fiber, which has a high degree of variability. The HVI (High Volume Instrument) measures the following parameters: fiber length, length uniformity, fiber strength, fiber maturity, short fiber content, micronaire (fibre fineness), color grade, leaf, and foreign matter.

Fiber identification

Fiber is the fundamental component of textiles. Testing fiber properties is vitally important. Applications of a fibre are determined by its physical, mechanical, chemical, and environmental properties. Physical properties are those that can be assessed with the naked eye or a microscope. A textile testing laboratory determines the mechanical properties of different fibers.[6]

There are various test methods that help in identifying the fibers, Fiber identification and examination includes microscopic analysis, burning tests, and chemical testing.[11]

Fiber identification with a burning test[12]
Fiber type Burning test
Cellulose fibers (Cotton, Linen, Rayon) It burns constantly with light grey smoke, doesn't melt or shrink, smells like burning paper, and leaves grey feathery ash.
Protein (Silk, and Wool) It burns slowly, curls away from the flame, smells like burning hair and leaves crushable black ash.
Acrylic It melts and burns, moves away from the flame, with a chemical smell and leaves a black, brittle hard bead.
Polyester It melts and burns, with a sweet smell leaves a hard, black bead.
Nylon It melts and burns, with a celery smell and leaves a hard, grey, tan bead.
Spandex It melts and burns, with a chemical smell leaves soft, black ash.

Cotton classification

Cotton classification, or classing, is the process of classifying cotton based on its grade, staple length, and micronaire.[13] Micronaire is a measure of cotton maturity.[14] Maturity of cotton fibers is measured with single fiber measurement test or by double compression air flow test. It is expressed in percentage or maturity ratio.[15]

Micronaire

Cotton's simple Micronaire value is determined by both the fineness of the fibres as well as their maturity.[16] Micronaire values or reading represents the fineness of the cotton fiber. For example, a preferred micronaire range is 3.7 to 4.2. Upland cotton is coarser than Gossypium barbadense (Pima cotton).[17]

Yarn testing

The yarn undergoes different tests. Uster Technologies, commonly referred to as "Uster" in the yarn-spinning industry, is a Swiss manufacturer of analytical instruments and online monitoring systems for yarn. Most typical yarn tests include evaluating the uniformity of yarns. [Yarn evenness] that infers the yarn's evenness index.[18]

Fabric testing

GPT stands for "Garment Package Test" and FPT stands for "Fabric Package Test" in garment and textile testing. Each buyer provides guidance for which tests are required at the fabric and subsequent garment stages.[19]

The testing of fabrics offers a comprehensive review of the various tests that can be performed on fabrics.[20] Fabric testing includes measurements such as fabric weight, fabric width, shrinkage testing, colour fastness to washing, fastness to light, pilling, tearing and bursting strength, etc.

The primary consideration in fabric selection is the end use. The fabric needs vary greatly depending on the application. Similar types of fabric may not be suitable for all applications.[21]: 18 

Fabric weight or GSM is an important parameter while producing different fabrics. A carpet requires a fabric with 1300 GSM, but a robe may be made with 160 GSM. Certainly, fabrics for clothes and carpets have distinct weights.[21]: 18 

Range of fabric weights typically used in various textile products[22]
GSM (grams per square meter) range Categorization Termed as Suitable for the textile products
0-50 Sheer fabric Sheer curtains, Lingerie items, Wedding dresses,
50-150 Light weight Top weight Blouse, Lining, Shirt, T-shirt, Dress
150-300 Medium weight Bottom weight Skirt, Trousers, Kind of denims, and Suits
300-600 Medium to heavy weight Bull denim Drapery, Overcoat, Towel, Slipcover, Workwear
More than 600 Heavy Carpet, Mat, Upholstery, Type of Winter coats

Stretchable fabrics have greater movability and are thus more comfortable than fabrics with no stretch or less stretch.[21]: 23 

Textile standards and testing vary with the use and application areas. For example, there are specific ways to test how well military and industrial textiles work in harsh environments.[23]

Special test methods

The comfort performance of textiles is the foremost requirement that influences product acceptance. Following comfort, safety and protection are the top priorities.[24] Numerous tests are conducted to evaluate the performance of textiles.

Sweating guarded hot plate test

The test method evaluates the thermal resistance and water vapor permeability of fabrics, which bear on the garment's comfort.[25][26]

  • ISO 11092:2014 (the test for physiological effects — Test for measuring thermal resistance and water-vapor resistance)[27]
  • ASTM F1868 (test for measuring thermal and evaporative resistance)[28]

Breathability test

Water vapor transmission rate, also called moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) is a method of testing or measuring the permeability for vapor barriers.

  • ASTM F2298 – 03 (test for clothing materials such as protective clothing, laminates, and membranes) a similar test by Japanese Standards Association is JSA – JIS L 1099.[29]

Air permeability

Air permeability refers to the fabric's porosity or its ability to allow air to pass through it. A standardised testing procedure is crucial for various fabrics as it uncovers fundamental qualities such as warmth in blankets and air resistance in parachute cloth.[30] The air permeability test method is for measuring the ability of air to pass through textile materials.[31]

  • ASTM D737-96 alternative test method is
  • ISO 9237:1995


Moisture management test

The moisture wicking or moisture management test is for testing moisture management properties such as wicking capabilities and drying efficiencies.

  • AATCC test method 195
  • ISO 13029:2012 [32]

Qmax test

The Qmax test method is used to evaluate the surface warm-cool sensations of fabric and to indicate the instantaneous thermal feeling sensed when the fabric first comes into contact with the skin surface.[33][34]

Manikin test

A thermal manikin being used to test helmet padding

A thermal manikin is a device for analysing the thermal interface of the human body and its environment. It assesses the thermal comfort and insulation properties of clothing, such as protective gear for the military.[35][36]

Kawabata evaluation system

Kawabata evaluation system measures the mechanical properties of the textiles, such as tensile strength, shear strength, surface friction, and roughness, The Kawabata evaluation system predicts human responses and understands the perception of softness. It can also be used to figure out the short-term heat transfer properties that are responsible for the feeling of coolness when fabrics touch the skin while being worn.[37][38]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Booth, John E. (1969). Principles of textile testing; an introduction to physical methods of testing textile fibres, yarns, and fabrics. Internet Archive. New York, Chemical Pub. Co. pp. 1–4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jewel (2005). Textile Testing. APH Publishing. pp. 1–5. ISBN 978-81-7648-748-1.
  3. ↑ Ciba Review. Ciba Limited. 1959. p. 6.
  4. 1 2 Borneman, Jim. "Efficient Yarn Production | Textile World". Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  5. ↑ Timar-Balazsy, Agnes; Eastop, Dinah (2012-09-10). Chemical Principles of Textile Conservation. Routledge. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-136-00034-8.
  6. 1 2 Elsasser, Virginia Hencken (2005). Textiles : concepts and principles. Internet Archive. New York, NY : Fairchild Publications. pp. 20, 25. ISBN 978-1-56367-300-9.
  7. ↑ "History". AATCC. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  8. ↑ "AATCC Testing". AATCC. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  9. ↑ Tortora & Collier 1997, p. 20, 21.
  10. ↑ Wang 2016, pp. 25, 19.
  11. ↑ AlMa'adeed, Mariam Al-Ali; Krupa, Igor (2015-12-23). Polyolefin Compounds and Materials: Fundamentals and Industrial Applications. Springer. p. 239. ISBN 978-3-319-25982-6.
  12. ↑ Kadolph (2009). Textiles. Pearson Education. p. 35. ISBN 978-81-317-2570-2.
  13. ↑ "Cotton Properties". www.cottoninc.com. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  14. ↑ "2.2.1-Cotton Value Addition-Micronaire". www.cottonguide.org. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  15. ↑ Centre, International Trade (2007-12-31). Cotton Exporter's Guide. United Nations. ISBN 978-92-1-361490-7.
  16. ↑ "Micronaire - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  17. ↑ Fang, David D.; Percy, Richard G. (2020-01-22). Cotton. John Wiley & Sons. p. 708. ISBN 978-0-89118-625-0.
  18. ↑ Zhang, Dairong; Cheng, Ling (2010-02-13). "Comparison of Two Different Yarn Evenness Test Methods". Modern Applied Science. 4 (3). doi:10.5539/mas.v4n3p71. ISSN 1913-1852.
  19. ↑ Sarkar, Prasanta. Garment Manufacturing: Processes,Practices and Technology. Online Clothing Study. p. 31. ISBN 978-93-83701-75-9.
  20. ↑ Hu, Jinlian (2008-09-09). Fabric Testing. Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-84569-506-4.
  21. 1 2 3 Smith, Betty F. (1982). Textiles in perspective. Internet Archive. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall. pp. 3, 10, 17, 49. ISBN 978-0-13-912808-0.
  22. ↑ Humphries, Mary (1996). Fabric reference. Internet Archive. Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Prentice Hall. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-13-349671-0.
  23. ↑ USA Standard Performance Requirements for Textile Fabrics. United States of America Standards Institute. 1968.
  24. ↑ "Comfort Performance". Textile Protection And Comfort Center. NC State University. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  25. ↑ Occupational Health and Safety ; Protective Clothing. ASTM. 2007. p. 346. ISBN 978-0-8031-4412-5. Archived from the original on 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  26. ↑ Huang, Jianhua (2006-08-01). "Sweating guarded hot plate test method". Polymer Testing. 25 (5): 709–716. doi:10.1016/j.polymertesting.2006.03.002. ISSN 0142-9418. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  27. ↑ "ISO 11092:2014". ISO. Archived from the original on 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  28. ↑ "ASTM F1868 – 17 Standard Test Method for Thermal and Evaporative Resistance of Clothing Materials Using a Sweating Hot Plate". www.astm.org. Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  29. ↑ "JSA – JIS L 1099 – Testing methods for water vapor permeability of textiles | Engineering360". standards.globalspec.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  30. ↑ Fairchild's dictionary of textiles. Internet Archive. New York, Fairchild Publications. 1959. p. 11.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  31. ↑ "Standard Test Method for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  32. ↑ "ISO Standard". www.iso.org. Archived from the original on 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  33. ↑ Park, Junghyun; Yoo, Hwa-Sook; Hong, Kyong Ha; Kim, Eunae (2018-09-01). "Knitted fabric properties influencing coolness to the touch and the relationship between subjective and objective coolness measurements". Textile Research Journal. 88 (17): 1931–1942. doi:10.1177/0040517517715079. ISSN 0040-5175. S2CID 135986430.
  34. ↑ Imal, Jonko; Yoneda, Morihiro; Niwa, Masako (1987). "Sensory Tests for Objective Evaluation of Fabric Warm/cool Touch". Journal of the Japan Research Association for Textele End-uses. 28 (10): 414–422. doi:10.11419/senshoshi1960.28.414. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  35. ↑ Parsons 2002, p. 182.
  36. ↑ Yarborough & Nelson 2005, p. 27.
  37. ↑ Allerkamp 2010, p. 53.
  38. ↑ Harwood, R. J.; Weedall, P. J.; Carr, C. (1990). "The use of the Kawabata Evaluation System for product development and quality control". Journal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists. 106 (2): 64–68. doi:10.1111/j.1478-4408.1990.tb01244.x. ISSN 1478-4408. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
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