Overview
ISO 10361:2015 - Textile floor coverings specifies laboratory procedures for producing and assessing changes in appearance (surface structure and colour) of textile floor coverings using mechanical fatigue testers: the Vettermann drum and the hexapod tumbler tester. The standard defines controlled test atmospheres, specimen selection and preparation, apparatus requirements, test procedures and conditioning steps. It does not cover pilling or colour changes caused by non-mechanical actions. Results are assessed in accordance with the applicable assessment standard.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test methods
- Method A - Vettermann drum: steel drum lined with specimens, rotating at (16 ± 1) r/min with direction reversal every 5 min; uses a steel ball (≈120 mm) fitted with 14 replaceable rubber studs. Detailed drum and ball dimensions, stud hardness (Shore A ~48 ± 3 measured per ISO 7619-1), and maintenance (stud replacement intervals) are specified.
- Method B - Hexapod tumbler: plastic drum (≈305 mm internal diameter) rotating at (35 ± 2) r/min with reversals every 15 min; uses a 50 mm steel cube (hexapod) with six polyurethane studs (Shore A ≈92.5 ± 7.5 per ISO 868) and defined stud dimensions and replacement criteria.
- Atmosphere for conditioning/testing: relative humidity (65 ± 4) % and temperature (20 ± 2) °C per ISO 139.
- Specimen selection & preparation: follow ISO 1957 for representative sampling; typical specimen minimum size 450 mm × 265 mm; vacuum cleaning prior to testing and conditioning flat, pile uppermost for at least 24 h.
- Procedure notes: vacuum extraction of loose fibres, optional underlay mounting (results apply only to that combination), preset revolution counters for short/long run simulations, and post-test cleaning and reconditioning before assessment.
- Limitations: excludes pilling and non-mechanical colour changes; assessment must follow the applicable appearance assessment standard.
Applications and users
ISO 10361:2015 is used for:
- Performance testing and quality control of carpets and textile floor coverings in manufacturing and R&D.
- Comparative testing for product development, warranty validation and claims substantiation.
- Simulating wear and evaluating appearance retention, surface structure change and colour durability under mechanical fatigue.
Primary users:
- Carpet manufacturers and textile floor covering laboratories
- Product development and quality assurance teams
- Third‑party testing laboratories and certification bodies
- Specifiers and procurement teams evaluating wear performance
Related standards
- ISO 139 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
- ISO 1957 - Selection and cutting of specimens for physical tests
- ISO 9405 - Assessment of changes in appearance
- ISO 2424 - Textile floor coverings - Vocabulary
- ISO 7619-1 / ISO 868 - Hardness test methods referenced for stud specification
Keywords: ISO 10361:2015, textile floor coverings, Vettermann drum, hexapod tumbler tester, carpet wear testing, appearance change testing, fatigue testing, assessment of changes in appearance.
Open preview (PDF)Textile floor coverings — Production of changes in appearance by means of Vettermann drum and hexapod tumbler tester