Overview
EN ISO 9405:2017 - Textile floor coverings - Assessment of changes in appearance (ISO 9405:2015) specifies visual assessment procedures for evaluating the overall change in appearance of textile floor coverings after mechanical fatigue. It covers assessment of specimens subjected to Vettermann drum and hexapod tumbler testers (as produced according to ISO 10361 and ISO 4918) and defines the equipment, specimen preparation, viewing conditions and grading scales used to report appearance retention.
Key Topics
- Scope and principle: Visual comparison of fatigued vs. unfatigued specimens using standard reference scales to give a single appearance grade.
- Apparatus and lighting:
- Viewing cabinet meeting ISO 105‑A01 requirements (minimum dimensions and grey presentation surfaces).
- Light source D65 with intensity (700 ± 100) lux at specimen surface; presentation surface inclined at (45 ± 5)°.
- Reference scales:
- Two sets of digital image reference scales (five grades from 5.0 = no change to 1.0 = extreme change) for cut- and loop‑pile constructions.
- Large grey scales (200 × 150 mm) for assessing changes in colour per ISO 105‑A02; small grey scales are not acceptable.
- Specimen preparation: Representative specimens and matching unfatigued reference areas (≥ 20 × 20 cm); mark reference direction; vacuum-clean and condition specimens per ISO 10361 prior to assessment.
- Assessment procedure:
- At least three experienced assessors (extend to five if assessor spread > 1 grade).
- Visual observation at (0.75 ± 0.25) m distance and (90 ± 10)° angle.
- Select appropriate digital scale (cut or loop), lay fatigued and reference specimens side-by-side, evaluate contrast and record a single integrated grade; half grades allowed.
- Reporting: Record dominant factors (structure, colour, pattern) contributing to change and report the appearance retention grade.
Applications
EN ISO 9405:2017 is used by:
- Flooring manufacturers for product development, comparative fatigue testing and quality control.
- Independent test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies performing standardized appearance evaluations.
- Specifiers, procurement teams and architects requiring objective appearance retention data in tender or compliance documents.
- R&D teams analyzing wear mechanisms (shading, crushing, pilling, loss of tuft definition) and verifying improvements.
Practical uses include evaluating carpet durability after simulated use (Vettermann or castor chair procedures), comparing constructions/fibres, and supporting warranty or specification claims.
Related Standards
- ISO 10361 - Production of changes in appearance by Vettermann drum and hexapod testers
- ISO 4918 - Castor chair test
- ISO 105‑A01 - Viewing conditions for colour fastness testing
- ISO 105‑A02 - Grey scale for assessing change in colour
- ISO 2424 - Vocabulary for textile floor coverings
- EN 1471:1996 - superseded by EN ISO 9405:2017
Keywords: EN ISO 9405:2017, textile floor coverings, appearance assessment, Vettermann drum, hexapod tumbler, digital image scale, large grey scale, D65 viewing cabinet, appearance retention.
