Overview
EN ISO 12947-3:1998 is a key international standard published by CEN that defines the determination of mass loss in textile fabrics due to abrasion using the Martindale method. It focuses on assessing the abrasion resistance of various textile materials, including woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics, except those specified for low abrasion wear life. This standard provides a scientific method to quantify how much fabric material is lost when subjected to controlled rubbing conditions, an essential factor in evaluating fabric durability and quality.
Key Topics
- Scope: Applicable to all textile fabric types for measuring mass loss due to abrasion, except where low abrasion endurance is required. It works alongside other parts of ISO 12947, which cover apparatus, specimen breakdown, and appearance changes.
- Testing Principle: Circular fabric samples are subjected to a defined load and rubbed against a standard abrasive material in a Lissajous motion until a set number of rubs. The main output is the fabric mass loss, indicating abrasion resistance.
- Specimen Preparation: Includes detailed procedures for cutting specimens, conditioning to standard atmosphere (20°C and 65% relative humidity), and special preparation for stretch, cord, and pile fabrics. Proper mounting and backing with foam are specified to ensure consistent results.
- Test Procedure: Mass loss measurements are taken at intervals depending on the expected durability class of the fabric (ranging from a few hundred to over 100,000 rubs). Tests require high-precision balances (accuracy 1 mg) and adherence to conditioning protocols.
- Results Evaluation: Mass loss is recorded precisely for multiple specimens, with statistical analysis including mean, confidence limits, standard deviation, and variation coefficient. Results can be plotted as abrasion index curves relating mass loss to number of rubs.
- Test Report Content: Essential information includes reference to the standard, sample description, test conditions, results with statistical details, any deviations, and date of testing.
- Normative References: Includes related standards like ISO 12947-1 and -2 (used for apparatus and specimen breakdown), ISO 105-A02 for colorfastness, and ISO 139 for conditioning atmosphere.
Applications
EN ISO 12947-3 is widely used in:
- Textile Manufacturing: To confirm abrasion resistance performance of fabric batches during production quality control.
- Apparel Industry: To ensure clothing materials meet durability standards for wear and tear resistance.
- Home Textiles: For upholstery, bed linens, curtains where fabric longevity affects product value.
- Technical Textiles: To assess ruggedness in textiles used for industrial, automotive, or protective applications.
- Research & Development: Enabling comparisons of abrasion resistance for innovative fiber blends, coatings, or fabric constructions.
- Certification and Compliance: Supporting claims on durability in product labels and fulfilling regulatory or voluntary standards.
Related Standards
- EN ISO 12947-1:1998 – Martindale abrasion testing apparatus specifications.
- EN ISO 12947-2:1998 – Method for determining specimen breakdown during abrasion testing.
- EN ISO 12947-4 – Procedures for assessing appearance changes after abrasion.
- ISO 105-A02:1993 – Grey scale for assessing color change in textiles.
- ISO 139:1973 – Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing textiles.
- ISO 2859-1 – Sampling procedures related to quality control, ensuring statistically valid specimen selection.
Keywords: EN ISO 12947-3, abrasion resistance, textile mass loss, Martindale method, fabric durability testing, textile quality standards, abrasion testing procedure, textile standardization, abrasion index, nonwoven fabric testing, conditioning atmosphere textiles, abrasion test report.
