Overview
EN ISO 5978:2023 (ISO 5978:2023) specifies a laboratory method for determining the blocking resistance of rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics. The standard defines how to prepare specimens, condition them, and expose stacked coated fabric sheets to defined temperature, time and pressure to assess their tendency to adhere (block) when stored in contact.
Key Topics
- Scope: Method for assessing resistance to blocking under specified temperature, time and pressure.
- Sample requirements:
- Six test specimens, each (150 ± 2) mm × (150 ± 2) mm.
- Samples taken at least 100 mm from the edge and not less than 1 m from the end of a roll.
- Conditioning: Pre-condition specimens, glass plates and filter paper in standard atmospheres per ISO 2231 (climate B recommended) for at least 24 h.
- Apparatus and materials:
- Lower glass plate ≥ 153 mm × 153 mm (~3 mm thick).
- Upper glass plate (155 ± 2) mm × (155 ± 2) mm (~3 mm thick).
- Strips of filter paper (160 ± 2) mm × (160 ± 2) mm as interlayers.
- Weight piece: (5,0 ± 0,1) kg (selected to give nominal pressure (2,18 ± 0,02) kPa).
- Circulating-air oven capable of (70 ± 2) °C (standard) or other specified temperatures and providing ≥6 air changes per hour.
- Standard test conditions: default temperature 70 ± 2 °C and duration 3 h (other conditions may be specified to reflect use/processing).
- Procedure summary:
- Assemble stack: lower glass plate → filter paper → specimen (face up) → specimen (face down) → filter paper → upper glass plate.
- Load centrally with weight and expose in oven for specified time.
- Cool 1 h in the conditioning atmosphere, then separate and inspect.
- Evaluation scale:
- No blocking - surfaces separate with no adhering.
- Slight blocking - some adherence but no damage to coating.
- Blocking - difficult separation; coating removal or damage occurs.
- Reporting: Include reference to ISO 5978:2023, sample ID, specimen dimensions, conditioning atmosphere, test temperature/duration/pressure, mass applied, blocking rating, date, and any deviations.
Applications
- Quality control and acceptance testing for coated textiles, including tarpaulins, coated upholstery, protective clothing, conveyor belts and industrial membranes.
- Product development and material selection to reduce storage- and processing-related sticking.
- Supplier and purchaser specifications where storage, roll handling or lamination processes could cause unwanted adhesion.
- Independent testing laboratories and compliance verification for product conformity.
Who should use this standard
- Manufacturers of rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics
- Textile and rubber testing laboratories
- Product designers and material engineers
- Procurement/specification writers and quality assurance teams
Related Standards
Keywords: EN ISO 5978:2023, ISO 5978, blocking resistance, coated fabrics testing, rubber-coated fabrics, plastics-coated fabrics, blocking test, coated textiles.
