Overview
EN ISO 5470-1:2016 - "Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics - Determination of abrasion resistance - Part 1: Taber abrader" describes a standardized method for assessing the abrasive wear resistance of rubber‑ or plastic‑coated fabrics using the Taber abrader. Published by CEN/ISO, this standard specifies the apparatus, specimen preparation, test procedure, assessment methods (including gravimetric loss), precision and reporting requirements. It is one part of ISO 5470 (Part 2 covers the Martindale abrader).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test method: Taber abrader technique for coated fabrics (rotating turntable with two abrasive wheels contacting the specimen).
- Apparatus requirements: flat circular turntable (nominal diameter 100 mm), controlled rotation speed (72 rev/min for 60 Hz, 60 rev/min for 50 Hz), strict geometric tolerances for wheel positions and radii, and suction for debris removal.
- Specimens: test piece diameter range changed to 105 mm–115 mm (was 114 mm in earlier edition); thin samples may be supported on non‑flexible cardboard or equivalent for handling and weighing.
- Procedure elements: conditioning atmosphere per ISO 2231; preparation and mounting of specimens; preparation and maintenance of abrasive surfaces; defined operation and stopping criteria.
- Assessment: end‑point determination (number of cycles) and average rate of mass loss (gravimetric technique). Annex A gives a procedure for determining the abrasive power of abrasive wheels.
- Precision and reporting: precision data, required test report contents and traceability details are specified.
- Notes on limitations: the Introduction highlights potential issues with the Taber method - subjective end‑points without gravimetric measurement, small abraded area, possible localized heating, and limitations for post‑abrasion tests because of a central hole in the specimen.
Applications and users
This standard is used by:
- Material and product manufacturers of coated fabrics for quality control and R&D.
- Third‑party testing laboratories performing standardized abrasion tests.
- Specification writers and procurement teams who need reproducible performance data for coated fabrics.
- Typical practical applications include comparative abrasion performance assessment to support material selection and product development for coated textiles used in industrial, outdoor, automotive and upholstery applications.
Related standards
- ISO 5470-2 (Martindale abrader) - alternative abrasive method for coated fabrics.
- ISO 2231 - standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing.
- ISO 9352 - calibration approach for abrasive wheels (zinc plate method).
- Other normative references cited: ISO 5084 (thickness), ISO 105‑A02 (grey scale), ISO 48 (hardness), ISO 525 / ISO 6103 (abrasive wheel requirements).
Keywords: EN ISO 5470-1:2016, Taber abrader, abrasion resistance, rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics, coated fabrics testing, abrasion testing standard, abrasive wheel calibration.
