Manufacturing and Production

Textile Testing and Fabric Performance Standards

A fabric that passes on the supplier's certificate and fails in the buyer's laboratory usually failed on conditioning, sample selection or a method read differently at each end. This course removes that ambiguity. Delegates work through atmospheric conditioning and why results are not comparable without it, then through sampling that represents a consignment rather than its best roll. Physical testing is covered: mass per unit area, thickness, tensile and tear strength, bursting strength, seam slippage and abrasion resistance. Dimensional stability to washing follows. Colour fastness is addressed across washing, rubbing, light and perspiration, with the grey scale assessment each uses. Pilling, snagging and appearance retention are covered. Performance requirements including water repellency and flammability are addressed. Interpreting a standard and the difference between test method and performance specification follow. The course closes on laboratory quality, on reporting and on resolving a dispute between two laboratories.