Overview
ISO/TR 8647:1990 - Environmental degradation of textiles used in air cargo restraint equipment is an ISO Technical Report (type 3) that compiles test data, literature abstracts and bibliographies on how textile materials used in air cargo unit load devices (ULDs) and restraint equipment deteriorate in service environments. Prepared by ISO/TC 20 (Aircraft and space vehicles), the report summarizes outdoor and accelerated exposure trials, material comparisons (nylon, polyester, polypropylene, Kevlar®), and practical factors that affect service life of webbings, ropes and nets used in pallets, restraint nets and cargo retention straps.
Key topics
- Scope and intent
- Informative compilation of degradation characteristics for textiles used in ULD equipment and cargo restraint systems.
- Types of degradation
- Light (UV), heat, atmospheric pollution, chemical exposure, washing agents, salt water.
- Factors influencing degradation
- Wavelength and UV exposure (critical 290–400 nm), geographic location, season, exposure type (outdoor vs behind glass), fiber thickness/structure, and added materials (pigments, delustrants, finishes, dyes).
- Material performance comparisons
- Polyester vs nylon: polyester generally retained strength better in outdoor tests; nylon showed faster UV degradation in many cases, with exceptions for certain ropes.
- Polypropylene: newer high-tenacity polypropylene showed improved UV stability and >80% strength retention in interim trials.
- Kevlar®: high strength-low yield behavior; susceptible to UV unless protected - not dyeable, so UV barriers or integrated protection are recommended.
- Test methods summarized
- Outdoor exposure trials (e.g., Torrance, CA - 15 months; various UK trials 1978–1980), specimen mounting and orientation, breaking strength measurement at standard lab conditions, and reporting as percent strength retained.
- Influence of color, weave and finishes
- Darker dyes (olive drab) and resin treatments improved UV resistance; weave and cross-section affect exposure of fibers and degradation rates.
Applications / Who uses this report
- Aircraft cargo engineers, ULD designers and manufacturers
- Maintenance and inspection teams setting service-life schedules for cargo nets, straps and pallets
- Procurement and materials specialists specifying webbing and rope for restraint equipment
- Test laboratories and researchers developing UV/weathering test programs
- Regulators and safety auditors assessing textile performance in air cargo operations
Related standards
- ISO 4115 - Air cargo equipment: Air/land pallet nets
- ISO 4170 - Air cargo equipment: Interline pallet nets
- IATA Unit Load Devices (ULD) Technical Manual
ISO/TR 8647 is a practical reference for understanding environmental effects on textile components in air cargo restraint systems and for informing material selection, testing and maintenance strategies.
