Overview - ISO 11378-1:2000 (Kappasoil test)
ISO 11378-1:2000 defines a laboratory method - the Kappasoil test - for assessing the propensity of textile floor coverings (carpets and similar) to accumulate soil using a standardized artificial soil. The method quantifies soiling by comparing colour change between original and artificially soiled specimens, and can be extended to evaluate the efficiency of cleaning chemicals and cleaning equipment (see Annex A).
Keywords: ISO 11378-1, Kappasoil test, textile floor coverings, laboratory soiling tests, artificial soil, cleaning assessment
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Accelerated soiling of carpet specimens on a rotating Kappasoil table; assessment by colour difference (ΔE or ΔL in the CIELAB system) or by grey scale (ISO 105‑A02).
- Kappasoil machine: Circular table (600 mm diameter) rotating at ~18 rpm, reversing every 250 revolutions; two cones apply a load (≈40 N) with one cone running ~5% faster; a soil dispenser deposits a controlled dose of standard artificial soil (typical dose ≈1.4 g every 250 revolutions).
- Test cycle: Specimens are exposed for 5 000 revolutions, then vacuumed and measured.
- Colour measurement: Use a 50 mm aperture colour instrument and a five‑point template to calculate mean ΔE or ΔL between original and soiled specimens in accordance with ISO 105‑J01.
- Specimen conditioning and sampling: Follow standard atmospheres (ISO 139) and sampling/cutting guidance (ISO 1957). Specimen layout ensures no gaps and limits thickness differences.
- Standard soiling compounds: Annex B lists example artificial soils (peat/kaolin/quartz/sand mixes, mineral oils, oxides) and commercial references for reproducible results.
- Accuracy & precision: Annex C reports interlaboratory studies (repeatability and reproducibility) and correlation with in‑situ soiling trials.
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO 11378-1:
- Carpet and textile floor‑covering manufacturers - to evaluate and compare soil resistance during product development.
- Test laboratories - for standardized performance testing and quality control.
- Cleaning chemical and equipment manufacturers - to assess cleaning efficacy (per Annex A) in a controlled, repeatable way.
- Facility managers, specifiers and standards bodies - to inform purchasing decisions and performance claims.
Practical benefits:
- Reproducible, accelerated assessment of soiling tendency.
- Enables objective comparison of fibres, constructions, treatments, and cleaning processes.
- Supports product development, compliance, and marketing claims backed by standardized test data.
Related standards
Test report essentials (per clause 10): sample ID, ISO reference, date, atmosphere, soiling compound, assessment method, results and any deviations.
