Carpet Standard and Test Methods - Carpet Institute of Australia

Carpet Standards and Test Methods
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Carpet Standard and Test Methods
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Index – Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Carpet Quality
• Australian and International Quality Standards 4
• Australia and New Zealand 4
• European Testing Methods and Procedures 5
• United States and Canada Testing Methods and Procedures 5
• Asian Testing Methods and Procedures 6
Specifications
• Why specifications are necessary? 7
• Technical Guidelines and Performance and Manufacturing Specifications 8
Testing Methods
• Australian and New Zealand Testing Methods and Procedures 9
• Abrasion Resistance 9
• Appearance Retention 10
• Hexapod Tumbler Test – Woolmark/Wools of New Zealand 247/251/284 10
• Colourfastness to Light - ISO 105-B02 13
• Colourfastness to Rubbing (Crocking) – AS 2111.19.1 14
• Total Pile Mass – AS/NZS 2111.11 14
• Total Pile Mass of a Woven Carpet 17
• Surface Pile Mass - AS/NZS 2111.4 17
• Pile Thickness – AS/NZS 21111.5 18
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Index – Carpet Standards and Test Methods
• Dimensional Stability to Mechanical Forces 19
• Secondary Backing Delamination Strength – AS/NZS 2111.16 19
• Tuft Withdrawal Force – AS/NZS 2111.15 19
• Static Loading – AS/NZS 2111.14 19
• Dynamic Loading – AS/NZS 2111.2 19
• Extractable Matter – AS 2001.3.4 20
• Soil Resistance 21
• Soil Repellency – Hydrocarbon Test 22
• Stain Resistance 22
• Static Propensity 23
• Usometer – Woolmark/Wools of New Zealand 253/251 24
• Insect Resist – Woolmark 27/28 – Wools of New Zealand 27/28 24
• Fibre Content – AS 2001.7 24
• Flammability/Flame Resistance 24
• Tests for the Environmental Certification Scheme 25
• Indoor Air Quality - ISO/TC 219 – Document N238 25
• Acoustics - AS/NZS 2107:2000, AS/NZS 1191-2002 and ISO 717-2:1996 26
• Thermal Insulation - ISO 8302:1991 26
Worldwide Testing Authorities
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Carpet Quality
A carpet must satisfy the aesthetic requirements of the interior design and the installation, as well as a range of technical requirements.
In addition, it should be easy and economical to clean and maintain. A good carpet may be regarded as having a chain of quality properties,
each of which must be sound if the carpet is to perform satisfactorily.
Chain of carpet properties
Acoustic comfort
Walking comfort
Walking safety
Thermal comfort
Durability
Tuft bind
Appearance retention (texture)
Appearance retention (colour)
Appearance retention (soiling)
Australian and International Quality Standards
Australia and New Zealand
The Australian Carpet Classification Scheme (ACCS) is a system for the labelling of a manufacturer's carpet. It employs symbols and descriptive
text to indicate end use suitability for various traffic areas.
The categories are:
Residential Light Duty
Residential Medium Duty
Residential Heavy Duty
Residential Heavy Duty
Contract Light Duty
Contract Medium Duty
Contract Heavy Duty
Contract Extra Heavy Duty
Residential Extra Heavy Duty
Residential Extra Heavy Duty
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
The ACCS scheme also encompasses the Environmental Certification Scheme (ECS) which is an environmental labelling scheme for carpets.
The classification scheme gives ACCS licensees permission to use location guidance labels.
European Testing Methods and Procedures
In 1990, European carpet manufacturers joined together to form GemeinschaftUmweltfreudlicherTeppichboden (GUT, the English translation
is Carpet Tested for Better Living Environment).
Their goal was to ensure environmental friendliness and consumer protection at every stage of the carpet life cycle, from production
to installation.
The basic ideology was proclaiming environmental and consumer protection to be a basic element of their company's culture. They realised
that all the issues couldn't be solved by one company on a National basis. Manufacturers, even if they were competing against each other
on the market, needed to act together across the European continent. To realise this ambition, they linked the following partners in the value
chain: the chemical industry, the wool producers and their respective trade associations.
The partners are CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council), EATP (European Association for Textile Polyolefins), Wools of New Zealand
and EPDLA (European Polymer Dispersion and Latex Association).
GUT is therefore a network of industry associations and partnerships:
• Euratex - European Technology Platform for Future Development of Textiles and Clothing
• ECRA - European Carpet and Rug Association
• Febeltex - Belgium Textile Federation
• VNTF - Association of The Netherlands Textile Industry
• UFTF - Union Des Fabricants De France
• Heimtex - Federation of German Home Textile Industry Association
• ETG - German Carpet Makers.
United States and Canada Testing Methods and Procedures
Carpet manufacturers in the USA and Canada use the following criteria for testing their products for these quality properties:
• Carpet Construction and Performance
• Electrostatic
• Yarn
• Flammability
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
• Lightfastness
• Latex
• Carpet Cushion
• Analytical
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/Flooring Housing Association (FHA) Carpet Certification
• HUD/FHA Carpet Cushion Certification
• Foot Traffic
• Indoor Air Quality.
Asian Testing Methods and Procedures
• Testing for Carpets
• Azo Dye Test
• Performance tests as per ASTM, AATCC, BS, DIN, ISO, JIS
• Toxicity and European Tests (Formaldehyde, PCP, Heavy Metal, Aromatic banned amines)
• Physical Performance.
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Specifications
Why are specifications are necessary
In engineering, manufacturing, and business, it is vital for suppliers, purchasers, and users of materials, products, or services to understand and
agree upon all requirements.
A specification is a type of a standard which is often referenced by a contract or procurement document. It provides the necessary details about
the specific requirements.
Specifications may be written by government agencies, standards organizations (e.g. AS, ASTM, ISO, CEN.), trade associations (e.g. CIAL/ACCS),
corporations, and others.
A product specification does not necessarily prove a product to be correct for a particular application. An item might be verified to comply with a
specification or stamped with a specification number.
This does not, by itself, indicate that the item is fit for any particular use.
The people who use the item (architects, builders, consumers, etc.) or specify the item (building codes, government, industry, etc.) have the
responsibility to consider the choice of available specifications, specify the correct one, enforce compliance, and use the item correctly. Validation
of suitability is necessary.
Knowing the full requirements of a carpet enables the manufacturer to meet the performance specification of the potential client or consumer.
If the requirements are clearly specified and measurable, the manufacturers can be confident that the client or consumer will receive a product
that will meet their performance expectations.
The manufacturer should monitor the quality of goods (carpet) from raw materials through to finished carpet so as to minimise the risk of being
involved in a dispute with clients or consumers.
If the carpet is specified correctly and manufactured accordingly, it will perform as expected. The consumer will benefit by having a product that
will perform throughout its useful life.
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Technical Guidelines and Performance and Manufacturing Specifications
The following standards show the linkage between technical standards and examples of performance specifications (as prepared by a
specifier/architect/interior designer) and processing specifications (as used by the carpet manufacturer).
ACCS Technical Standards (See ACCS Technical Guidelines.pdf (http://www.carpetinstitute.com.au/publications)
The following specifications are examples of documents available to specifiers and manufacturers to assist in preparing products for the
marketplace. In turn, the specifications are followed by details of the common tests performed to assess and evaluate carpet quality
and performance.
Click on buttons below to open relevant pdf document.
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Testing Methods
Australian and New Zealand Testing Methods and Procedures
A number of tests can be used to determine the ‘quality’ attributes of any carpet. The following is not intended to be a complete listing and its
aim is to provide explanatory information for people who may become involved in the preparation or meeting of specifications, or those requiring
a general understanding of this subject.
All testing should be carried out by laboratories that are accredited by a national accreditation body for the tests being conducted. In the case of
carpets graded under the ACCS Grading Scheme, the testing laboratory must be accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities,
Australia (NATA) or another body with which NATA has a mutual recognition agreement.
Abrasion Resistance
Abrasion resistance is the ability of a textile floor covering to resist the loss of the use
surface material by abrasive or mechanical action.
The most commonly used is the WIRA Carpet Abrasion machine which may be used to
measure the number of cycles required to wear the pile down to the backing substrate or
may also be used to measure abrasion, but is more the mass loss of the pile fibre for a given
number of cycles.
The Taber abrasion tester test method AS 2001.2.28:1992 can be used to determine
the relative abrasion resistance of a floor covering. This method is typically used by the
Automotive Floorcovering Industry and involves a sample placed on a rotating disc under an
abrasive wheel rotating and abrading the pile. Appearance and mass loss can be measured.
The Martindale Abrasion tester can also be used to measure abrasion but is more commonly
used to evaluate pilling or fuzzing of the pile surface of a floorcovering. The rubbing action of
the Martindale using a 'standard' abrasion cloth in the head and a carpet sample on the base
tends to highlight any deficiencies with blends on poor latex compound encapsulation of the
pile yarn. Pilling and fuzzing of the surface can be rated against known performance criteria.
WIRA Carpet Abrader
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Appearance Retention
Appearance retention of the pile surface of a carpet is one of the major properties assessed when measuring carpet performance.
There is a large range of appearance retention test apparatus and test methods. Their aim is to simulate the likely on-floor characteristics of a
textile floor covering after trafficking and general wear.
All of the appearance retention test methods which include Tetrapod Tumbler, Vetterman Drum, Tetrad Castor Chair, Simuwear, Usometer, Wear
Simulator and Hexapod Tumbler have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Castor Chair Tester
Vetterman Drum
The Hexapod Tumbler Tester is the most accepted test method in Australasia. This test method has been used to aid in the determination of
likely appearance retention properties of a given textile floor covering for development, specification and grading purposes across the spectrum of
the products used in the Australasian market. It is also a widely accepted test method globally.
Hexapod Tumbler Test – Woolmark/Wools of New Zealand 247/251/284
While the Hexapod was not designed to ’exactly reproduce’ the actual appearance changes on the floor, it can be used to simulate and rate a
carpet’s likely on-floor performance.
The method subjects a sample of carpet to simulated wear conditions at 1500 cycles (short term change: 9-12 months on-floor at a trafficking
density* of 5,000-5,500 passages per week) and 8000 cycles (long term change: 3-4 years on-floor at a trafficking density of 5,000-5,500
passages per week) and the tested samples are then rated independently by a panel of experienced assessors against a set of internationally
accepted standards for degree of Texture or Structure change. Colour change is also assessed and Pile Thickness Loss measured.
The international standards used to assess change of texture are a graduated appearance change range of samples that represent different styles
of carpet and their respective texture changes.
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Hexapod Tester and Samples for Rating
Tested samples are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 and it is the degree of change that is being assessed.
Rating
Description
5 no change
4 slight change
3 moderate change
2 large change
1 severe change
When a sample is rated for degree of change to the texture or structure, it is important to separate colour and design change from any
structural change.
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
*Note: A trafficking passage represents a person walking through or across a given area of carpet.
Residential Trafficking Passages per Week Contract Trafficking Passages per Week
Heavy Duty Up to 2,500 Light Duty 1,500 – 2,999
Extra Heavy Duty Up to 3,000 Medium Duty 3,000 – 6,999
Heavy Duty 7,000 – 14,999
Extra Heavy Duty 15,000+
Hexapod Tumbler Test - Structural Change
Structural changes that can include:
(i) Visual change in configuration of loops and/or tufts/fibre at the use surface
(ii) Crushing or flattening
(iii) Surface roughening – Hairiness/Cobwebbing/Pilling/Sprouting
(iv) Change of pattern definition.
Hexapod Tumbler Test - Colour Change
The tested samples are rated against standard grey scales for apparent colour change.
Tested samples are rated for apparent colour change that occurs due to change in pile orientation.
Rating
Description
5 no change
4 slight change
3 moderate change
2 large change
1 severe change
As the rating becomes lower, the more significant the colour change that has taken place.
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Hexapod Tumbler Test - Thickness Loss
The thickness of the carpet samples are also measured before and after testing. This is to determine the actual thickness loss of the samples
following the pre-determined number of cycles.
It has been established that there is an insignificant thickness loss of most backing materials of a textile floor covering during the Hexapod test.
The majority of the thickness loss occurs in the pile and grading schemes such as the Australian Carpet Classification Scheme, Woolmark and
Wools of New Zealand use this percentage pile thickness loss value as part of the assessment of overall appearance change.
Interpretation of Results
As part of the carpet assessment for grading, the following results (1-4) together with pile thickness loss at 1500 and 8000 cycles (5-6) are taken
into account to obtain an overall appearance retention factor.
1. Short Term Texture Change (1500 cycles)
2. Short Term Colour Change (1500 cycles)
3. Long Term Texture Change (8000 cycles)
4. Long Term Colour Change (8000 cycles)
5. Short term Pile Thickness Loss (1500 cycles)
6. Long Term Pile thickness Loss (8000 cycles)
In arriving at this overall figure, the short-term results are deemed to be of critical importance as according to complaint records, consumers are
more likely to complain about severe short term changes.
Colourfastness to Light - ISO 105-B02:2000
All coloured natural and synthetic textile products will eventually fade when exposed to
ultraviolet rays, as found in daylight and fluorescent lighting.
To determine objectively to what degree textile products can fade when exposed to
ultraviolet rays, samples can be tested to various standard test methods. These tests require
test samples to be exposed to a specified light source with British Standard blue wool
standards exposed at the same time.
There are eight of these blue wool standards which have increasing resistance to fading
when exposed to light and are numbered accordingly.
Xenon Arc apparautus showing samples in place
The numbers range from 1 (very poor resistance to light) to 8 (excellent resistance to light).
To achieve a similar degree of fading on standard 2 as on standard 1, requires approximately
twice the exposure time, standard 3 takes approximately twice as long as standard 2 to fade
to the same degree, and so on to 8.
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Once exposure is commenced the test specimen is checked daily, or more regularly if the need be, to detect an initial change in colour. This is
called the ‘initial break’. Once this occurs the test specimen is compared to the eight blue wool standards exposed at the same time. A rating for
the ‘initial break’ is then decided by determining which of the blue wool standards has faded to the same degree as the specimen.
Exposure of the test specimen and blue wool standards is then continued and checked daily until one of the prescribed endpoints has been
reached. These are either the carpet undergoing a Grey Scale 4 change or the Blue Scale 7 just changing. The carpet is again compared to the
blue wool standards and the final rating is the number of the Blue Wool Standard that has faded to the same degree as the carpet sample.
Colourfastness to Rubbing (Crocking) – AS2111.19.1:1996
When a textile floor covering is subjected to a rubbing motion it may lose dye and this may be transferred to adjacent fabrics or cross staining
may occur in the carpet surface causing a change in the appearance of the surface.
The colourfastness to rubbing test method involves rubbing a standard cotton cloth against the surface of the textile floor covering. The degree
of cross staining to the rubbing cloth is assessed by comparing the staining to an un-dyed cloth by the use of standard grey scales for
assessing staining.
The colour change of the test specimen is evaluated against standard grey scales for assessing change of colour. When a multi-coloured sample
is tested, the rubbing device should be positioned to ensure all colours of the textile floor covering are subjected to the rubbing action. Enough
specimens should be tested to ensure all colours are evaluated.
The colourfastness to rubbing properties are evaluated by the use of a standard rubbing clothtested both dry and wet. Both wet and dry
colourfastness to rubbing properties are reported on each sample tested. Tests may be carried out on supplied specimens of fibre, yarn or textile
floor covering.
The accepted industry standard is that all colours shall meet or exceed a minimum rating of 3-4 for cross staining and colour change when tested
wet and dry. A result of 4-5 indicates excellent colourfastness to rubbing. Results below 3-4 indicate there is a significant amount of dye coming
off the textile floor covering and this may lead to potential problems with contamination to other textile materials on site.
Total Pile Mass – AS/NZS 2111.11:1996
The test is carried out to determine the total amount of pile yarn in a finished carpet.
Many people involved with and in the carpet industry refer to a carpet is by its pile weight, finished texture and construction e.g. 48 oz, hard
twist, tufted carpet, 38 oz woven Axminster, 22 oz cut/loop nylon.
The pile weight is more correctly referred to as ‘Total Pile Weight’ or ‘Total Pile Mass’ and regardless of the manufacturing technique it is ‘the
mass of pile yarn in a given area (mass per unit area), including that yarn forming the base of the tufts or held in the substrate’.
This parameter has as its unit of measure - ounces per square yard (oz/yd²) and while ‘grams per square metre' (g/m²)’ is the metric measure, the
imperial measure continues to be in common use. In many instances, a swatch card with technical details and a carpet sample will quote both.
In the example previously quoted, a 48oz carpet has a total pile mass of 48 oz/yd². To convert to g/m², multiply 48 oz/yd² by 33.9 with a result of
1627 g/m². This figure would generally be rounded up to 1630 g/m².
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When a carpet is described as a carpet of 48 oz/yd² or 1627 g/m² this still does not clearly specify if 48 oz refers to the actual mass of yarn used
during the manufacture of the carpet or if it is the mass of yarn in finished carpet.
In preparing a specification there are a number of other variables that need to be considered before the total pile mass is stipulated.
Total pile mass can be measured on an unbacked carpet i.e. after pile formation but
prior to the finishing processes, and this is determined by dissecting the unbacked
sample of carpet according to Australian Standard Test Method AS/NZS 2111.11:1996.
However, the measured total pile mass of the unbacked sample may not be a true
indication of the actual mass per unit area of pile yarn that will be in the carpet after
it has passed through all of the finishing processes. The actual stitch density may
change slightly or even significantly depending on the manufacturing techniques
during the finishing procedures. The stitch density may increase (due to carpet
structure or substrate relaxation or consolidation) or decrease (due to structure
stretching) resulting in a change to the total pile mass per unit area of the finished
carpet compared to the unbacked carpet.
Using a cut pile carpet as an example - the pile surface that may have been cropped,
defuzzed or changed in some way during the finishing processes will also show a
difference in the comparison of total pile mass of the finished carpet to total pile
mass of an unbacked carpet sample.
Dissecting or ‘Pulling Down’ a carpet for determining
Total Pile Mass
It should also be noted that the stitching or shotting rate may vary slightly during the
carpet formation process due to tension variations occurring during production.
Therefore, a sample taken at the beginning of a production run or batch may not be totally indicative of the whole batch or any single sample
taken from that batch at random.
This variation is the reason for the specification of a manufacturing tolerance of ± 5% of the total pile mass in ‘AS/NZS 1385:2007 Commercial
Tolerance for Measurement’. This tolerance takes into consideration the normal variations encountered during manufacturing.
Effect of change in stitch rate due to finishing processes:
Sample of Loop Pile carpet Unbacked Backed
Measured Stitches/100mm 45.2 44.2
Measured Gauge/100mm 39.3 39.5
Total pile mass 1722 g/m2 1692 g/m2
(by dissection)
(measured)
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From this example a small change can be noted in finished stitch rate which produces a 1.8 % reduction in finished carpet total pile mass.
Effect of Cropping or Shearing
Sample of Cut Pile carpet Unbacked Backed Backed*
Stitch rate (per 100mm) 42.0 41.8 41.8
Gauge (per 100mm) 31.5 31.6 31.6
Pile Height (mm) 8.0 8.0 7.7
Loop length (mm) 22.5 22.6 22.0
Total pile mass 1686 g/m2 1683 g/m2 1638 g/m2
(by dissection) (measured) (measured)
Note: *After cropping
Cropping of 0.3 mm off the pile height of an 8 mm pile height carpet can make a difference of approximately 3% to the finished carpet total
pile mass.
Based on the above information and determined at what stage the carpet is to be measured i.e. finished carpet, Test Method AS/NZS 2111.11:1996
– Determination of total pile mass per unit area by complete dissection of textile floor coverings, can be used.
There are two options in this test method of how to express the result and indicate the total pile mass for the sample of carpet under test. The
standard test method specifies total pile mass per unit area as “the mass of pile yarn in a given area, including that forming the base of the tufts or
held in the backing, determined at equilibrium within the standard atmosphere for testing."
The standard atmosphere i.e. standard conditions for testing are specified as a temperature 20 ± 2OC and Relative Humidity 65 ± 2%.
These are the conditions a carpet should be tested under unless the result is requested to be reported expressed as ‘Corrected for Agreed
Commercial Allowance’.
If a total pile mass of a carpet is requested to be reported Corrected for Agreed Commercial Allowances, it is a requirement of AS/NZS 2111.11:1996
that the total pile mass at standard conditions and also total pile mass corrected for “Allowances for Moisture Regain and other matter” as listed in
Appendix A of that Standard should be reported together on the same test report.
e.g. Based on experience, it can be anticipated that a 100% wool carpet would have a regain (ratio of the mass of moisture in the material to the
oven dry mass) at standard conditions in the range of 11% to 13% depending on fibre, carpet style, yarn properties etc.
The standard allowance for moisture regain and other materials for this 100% wool product according to AS/NZS 2111.11:1996 Appendix A is 16%.
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An example 100% wool carpet with a measured total pile mass of 1627 g/m2 at standard conditions of Temperature 20OC and Relative Humidity
65% has a measured regain of 12.5%.
If the result from this sample was also reported allowing for Correction for Agreed Commercial Allowance, it would be:
Corrected Total Pile Mass = [TPM (Standard Conditions) x (100 + y)]/ (100+r)
Where:
• TPM (Standard Conditions)’ = Total Pile Mass measured in the standard textile laboratory conditions (Temperature of 20OC and Relative
Humidity of 65%)
• ‘y' = Total allowance for moisture regain and non-textile material from AS/NZS 2111.11:1996, Appendix A
• ‘r’ = Measured regain at standard conditions of 20OC and 65%RH.
Calculation - Corrected Total Pile Mass = (1627 x 116)/112.5 and, Total Pile Mass at 16% Regain = 1678 g/m2
Therefore, in this example, if the request for testing does not clearly define what is required, the carpet sample could be reported after testing is
completed as having a total pile mass of either 1627g/m2 or 1678g/m2 (a difference of 3.1%) and as such, lead to confusion to parties reading
the test report and possible contractual ramifications.
Total Pile Mass of a Woven Carpet
As previously stated, total pile mass includes all pile yarn and this is also applicable to Axminster constructions.
In the case of a Wilton carpet constructions, further explanation is required as to what may be designated as pile yarn.
The total pile mass of a Wilton carpet includes all buried pile yarn but excludes dead frame yarn.
A Wilton construction can carry all of the colours of the design in the backing of the carpet until they are selected by the jacquard for use as pile
yarn. However, where a frame is not used at all in the design, but yarn from this frame still runs in the back of the carpet structure, this is dead
frame yarn.
A basic difference between Wilton and Axminster is in Wilton production the pile yarn is carried through the backing ready to be selected to form
a pile tuft while in Axminster, the pile yarn is selected and inserted in conjunction with the backing threads and cut off.
Surface Pile Mass - AS/NZS2111.4:1996
As noted previously, it is a common practice to describe a carpet by its total pile mass e.g. a 52 ounce wool carpet means 52 ounces per square
yard and in metric measurement, 1763 grams per square metre total pile mass. However, the total pile mass is difficult to accurately measure
after manufacture is completed on some carpet constructions.
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It is also evident that the weight or mass of yarn above the primary backing structure
i.e. surface pile mass, is more closely related to the wear life. Yarn buried in the backing
is important, especially in woven carpets and while it supports the pile weight above the
backing, it is of secondary importance.
Surface pile mass, in conjunction with pile thickness is used as the basis for calculating
surface pile mass density for a number of carpet grading schemes representing a measure
of ‘durability’ of a carpet.
For a carpet, this means the greater ‘the surface pile mass density, the longer the
performance life’.
A surface pile mass result is obtained by shearing the surface pile from a carpet using
a band knife machine.
Band Knife for shearing carpet pile
Typical Tufted Carpet Construction
Surface Pile Mass
Latex Compound
Secondary Backing
Primary Backing
Pile Thickness – AS/NZS2111.5:1996
A measure of pile thickness is obtained by measuring the thickness of carpet under a standard loading
before and after shearing off the surface pile. The test is often carried out in conjunction with the
surface pile mass determination.
An option to measure Pile Thickness is the gauge method in AS/NZS2111.21:1996 described as a
‘non-destructive measurement of pile thickness above the backing’.
Thickness Gauge
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Dimensional Stability to Mechanical Forces
This is the ability of a textile floor covering to retain its dimensions when subjected to mechanical action e.g. walking, wheel traffic. The test
method used to determine Dimensional Stability, IWS 128 or BS4682.1971, was subsequently withdrawn in 1978 due to the lack of on-floor
correlation.
While other test methods have since been considered, the practical test of restretching a defined area of carpet and making an assessment after
trafficking/ normal use occurs, within a specified time frame, has proven to be the most satisfactory method of resolving this type of complaint.
Secondary Backing Delamination Strength
This is also known as a bond strength test.
This test is used to judge the force required to separate the secondary backing from the total carpet structure and is only applicable to a carpet
with a secondary backing. Carpet specifications provide values for this property to ensure that carpet will not ruck or delaminate on the floor
when subject to repeated foot traffic and furniture movements.
Tuft Withdrawal Force – AS/NZS2111.15:1996
This test is performed to find out how securely the tuft is held within the carpet structure. It may also be referred to as Tuft Bind or Tuft Lock.
For cut pile - the force required to pull a tuft from the backing.
For loop pile - the force required to pull out one or both sides of the loop.
Static Loading – AS/NZS2111.14:1996
Static loading is the process of applying a fixed load to an area of a textile floor covering for a specified length of time to assess its resistance
to crushing by furniture or other heavy objects such as the feet of a display cabinet.
The test method measures the thickness loss after loading and the thickness loss after recovery
for predetermined periods of time.
The Australian Carpet Classification Scheme (ACCS) calculates the results used for grading after
a 24 hour recovery period and expresses the results as a percentage thickness loss of the initial
pile thickness.
Static Load apparatus
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Points are awarded as follows:
0-10% Pile thickness loss 5 points
11-20% Pile thickness loss 4 points
21-30% Pile thickness loss 3 points
31-40% Pile thickness loss 2 points
This test is a measure of resilience and is designed to compare carpet styles and their performance in relation to flattening properties.
Dynamic Loading – AS/NZS2111.2:1996
Dynamic loading is the process of repeatedly applying a load to the same area of a
textile floor covering to assess its resistance to crushing from interrupted continual
loading such as walking traffic.
The test method measures the cyclic loading effect similar to repeated stepping
onto a given area of textile floor covering. Thickness loss of the textile floor
covering is measured after repeated loading and also the thickness after recovery
for predetermined periods of time.
The ACCS uses this method as part of its grading assessment.
Static Load apparatus
AS/NZS2111.2:1996 details the method of subjecting the carpet to 1000 impacts
with the WIRA Dynamic Loader after which the Pile Thickness Loss is measured
at various recovery times. The ACCS uses the thickness loss after 24 hours
recovery time.
Points are awarded as follows:
0-15% Pile thickness loss 5 points
16-25% Pile thickness loss 4 points
25-35% Pile thickness loss 3 points
35-45% Pile thickness loss 2 points
Any carpet with a pile thickness loss greater than 45% is not classified.
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Extractable Matter – AS2001.3.4:1995
This method is used to determine the amount of naturally present oily or waxy impurities that have not been completely removed. It is also used
to determine the amount of oily or waxy materials that may have been applied to pile yarns during manufacture and which are still present in the
finished carpet. Typical maximum values specified for acceptable soiling performances are:
Recommended
Maximum values ACCS
Wool dark shades 1.5% 1.5%
Wool light shades 1.0% 1.5%
Nylon 0.8% 1.5%
Polypropylene 0.4% 1.5%
Polyester 0.4% 1.5%
These values should only be used as a guide depending on the make-up of extractable matter. The ACCS sets a maximum grease content of
1.5% when measured according to AS2001.3.4:1995 for all types of fibres. The solvent used in this test will depend on the fibre type being
tested.
Fibre Composition
Recommended
Solvent
Fibre Composition Recommended Solvent
100% Wool Dichloromethane Wool/Acrylic Blend Dichloromethane
Wool/Nylon Blend Dichloromethane 100% Nylon Dichloromethane
Wool/Nylon/ 0.8% 1.5%
Polypropylene Blend Petroleum Spirit Nylon/Polypropylene Blend Petroleum Spirit
Wool/Polypropylene 0.4% 1.5%
Blend Petroleum Spirit 100% Polypropylene Methanol
Wool/Polyester Blend Petroleum Spirit 100% Polyester Petroleum Spirit
Wool/Nylon/Polyester Blend Petroleum Spirit Polyester Blend Petroleum Spirit
100% Acrylic Dichloromethane
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
Soil Resistance
Soil Resist treatments do not prevent textile floor coverings from becoming soiled. They allow dirt or soiling to be more easily removed from the
textile floor coverings surface.
Methods of determining various soil resist properties include a direct soiling test using the Rapid Soiling test machine can be used to assess the
propensity to soil of any given carpet (using an artificial soil composition). Specimens are subjected to an accelerated soiling process where the
carpet is submitted to the equivalent action of 10,000 footsteps. The specimens are then vacuum-cleaned and assessed for the level of soiling.
Soil Repellency – Hydrocarbon Test
This test method detects the effectiveness or the presence of a fluorescent finish, or other compounds capable of imparting a low surface energy
on the textile floor coverings surface by evaluating the resistance to wetting by a selected series of liquid hydrocarbons of different surface
tensions. The oil repellency grade allocated to a carpet is the highest numbered liquid, which does not wet or penetrate into the pile surface.
Oil Repellency
Rating Number
Composition
1 “Kaydol” white mineral oil
2 65/35 Kaydol/n-hex
3 n – hexadecane
4 n – tetradecane
5 n – dodecane
6 n – decane
7 n – octane
8 n – heptane
Stain Resistance
Stain resistant treatments typically provide protection from acid dye stains such as common food dyes and many other staining agents common
in household spills. It allows stains and spills to be spot-cleaned more easily using the appropriate cleaning techniques.
The effectiveness of the treatment can be determined by subjecting the textile floor covering to a dyeing process using a standard food dye and
then cleaning the sample by flushing with cold water.
The degree of staining remaining after flushing with water is then rated against either standard grey scales or other relevant staining scales.
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
The PASS/FAIL criteria are normally determined by the chemical manufacturer based on experience in the field.
Static Propensity
One of the well-known methods to measure static propensity is the Stroll Test – AATCC 134-1979, which requires a person to walk over a carpet
in a prescribed manner, ‘stepping’ and ‘scuffing’ while wearing specified shoes. The results are expressed as a body voltage (Kilovolts - kv) for
each shoe sole type and for each walking action - step and scuff.
The peak voltage readings are recorded and averaged. It is generally accepted that the human sensitivity level is approximately 3.0 kv (it will vary
from person to person) and some computer manufacturers require a static propensity by this method of less than 1.5 kv.
The results of the test have been shown to be subjective and very dependent on the person, the style of walking and on the shoes and their
condition. A control carpet is tested each time a test is carried out to give some confidence in the repeatability of the results. The control of
atmospheric conditions and conditioning of the sample is also very critical. Due to the many variables, the results can be difficult to interpret and
correlation between laboratories can be questionable.
Generally the results are based on the ‘worst result’, so that if one of the results fails to meet the requirements the sample undergoing
assessment fails.
The other method which has gained support due to its firmer scientific background is
the measurement of surface and bulk resistance of a carpet according to the Australian
Standard AS 2834:1995. This test was designed for Computer Accommodation Areas
and is carried out using two electrodes placed on the carpet with a potential difference of
500 volts DC between the electrodes. The resistance between the electrodes in Ohms
is measured. The electrical resistance measurement is objective and reproducible and
PASS/FAIL criteria can be determined for various applications.
This test is particularly important for contract carpet that could well find itself in computer
rooms where a build-up of static electricity could damage valuable equipment.
The carpet sample to be tested must be acclimatized for at least 7 days before the test
at a temperature of 23+/-1°C and 25+/-2% relative humidity. This is because humidity
impacts so greatly on conductivity of textiles and must be controlled rigorously to get a
meaningful test.
In this test regime the horizontal (surface) resistance and vertical (bulk) resistance of the
carpet is measured (in Ohms).
Horizontal (Surface) resistance: An isolating underlay is placed under the carpet sample
which should be pile upward. Two electrodes are connected to the carpet 1000 mm apart
and the resistance in Ohms is measured between them.
Surface Resistivity test on a carpet
Vertical (Bulk) resistance: Here the electrodes are above and below the carpet tile and
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
the resistance in Ohms is measured between them.
Usometer – Woolmark/Wools of New Zealand 253/251
This test method is only applicable to loop pile textile floor coverings and is intended to assess the susceptibility of the carpet to fuzzing and
pilling in use.
Insect Resist – Woolmark 27/28 – Wools of New Zealand 27/28
Pure wool and wool blend carpets are required to be treated to resist attack by wool damaging insects. Specifications, recommendations and
requirements according to the insect resist agent to be used can be accessed from Wool Interiors or The Woolmark Company
Fibre Content– AS 2001.7:2005
The test method uses a quantitative analytical method which involves the removal of natural and/or synthetic fibres from a pile or substrate in
order to determine the proportion by weight of each fibre type present.
Flammability/Flame Resistance
Most textile fibres will burn if the environmental conditions are right. Accordingly, finishes that reduce the flaming, charring, or afterglow of fibres
are important to safety.
Flame resistance is generally achieved through the use of inherently flame resistant fibres, that is, manufactured fibres modified by the addition
of flame retardants during fibre extrusion (e.g. flame resistant rayon, acrylic or polyolefin). While wool has natural flame resistance, this resistance
can be enhanced by flame resistance treatments to meet severe flammability specifications that exist in many end uses of the carpet. If
treatments are used to enhance the fire performance of carpet they must be applied during manufacture. Application topically, in situ, is not
allowed by the building code.
Two test methods are currently used in Australia to regulate the fire resistance of carpet.
(i) AS/NZS 2111.18:1997 Methods of test for textile floor coverings – Determination of fire propagation properties – Fire propagation of
the use-surface using a small ignition source.
A small ignition source (the Methenamine Pill) is applied to the surface of the carpet and
ignited. The radius of burning is recorded. The burnt area is not allowed to extend more
than 75mm from the point of ignition.
Pass (left) and Fail (right) samples after test
AS2404:1980 “Textile Floor Coverings – Fire propagation of the use-surface using a small
ignition source”, which states the level of fire propagation acceptable for the use-surface
of a carpet. The objective was to give the legislature the opportunity to ban any carpets
which do not comply however that option has never been taken up.
It is not unusual for only one of the eight specimens tested to fail the test. Re-testing the
product will normally produce a similar failure rate. The mode of failure is often via the
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
carpet backing on jute backed carpets.
The ACCS Grading Scheme requires that the carpet manufacturer demonstrate by independent test result that the carpet passes the
requirements of AS2404:1980 prior to being graded by the scheme.
(ii) AS/ISO 9239-1:2003 Reaction to fire tests for floorings. Part 1 Determination of the burning behaviour using a radiant
heat source.
The Critical Radiant Flux (CRF) test, which measures the radiant energy required to just sustain burning, is used in some parts of the USA and
some parts of Europe to regulate floorcoverings.
The test involves the product being held horizontally under the influence of a radiant heat
source at one end. It is ignited at that end and the radiant heat flux at the point at which
combustion ceases is determined. This is the Critical Radiant Flux or Critical Heat Flux.
The heat flux at the hot end is 11 kW/m 2 while at the cool end it is 1.0 kW/m 2 . During the
test the floorcovering is allowed to burn under the influence of the radiant heat source.
There is just sufficient air movement in the test chamber to remove the products of
combustion into the flue.
The amount of smoke generated is also determined using a light extinction smoke metre
mounted in the flue.
The test requires that it be conducted on the floor covering assembly that will be used in
practice. This means the floor covering, any glue and underlay used in its installation and
the type of substrate over which it will be installed must be tested. These assemblies
include underlays and glues (if used) to represent the Conventional, Direct Stick and
Double Bond installation methods.
Sample burning during the CRF test
The brochure Frequently Asked Questions on Testing to AS/ISO 9239-1:2003 for the
Building Code of Australia Version 1.2 (2011.pdf) (http://www.carpetinstitute.com.au/
publications) provides answers to a range of commonly asked questions about the use
of this test.
Tests for the Environmental Certification Scheme (ECS) – Entry Level Certification
The ECS Entry Level Certification component of the Australian Carpet Classification Scheme is based on the following three test methods.
(i) Indoor Air Quality - ISO10580:2010 Resilient textile and laminate floor coverings – Test method for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
This test uses chemical analytical methods to determine the presence and amount of a range of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emanating
from the floor covering components. The carpet sample is placed in a small chamber from which an air sample is drawn. This air sample is then
passed through a tube containing absorbent material. The amount of anolyte absorbed onto this absorbent material is analysed by a suitable
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Carpet Standards and Test Methods
method (e.g. gas chromatography) and the emission of each VOC is calculated. The ECS sets limits for a range of VOC emissions.
Worldwide Testing Authorities
For a list of worldwide testing authorities for textile products visit:
http://www.iaswww.com/apr/Business/Textiles_and_Nonwovens/Test_Facilities/
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