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Why grade upholstery fabrics?
Upholstery fabrics are used in a wide variety of
circumstances from domestic homes to heavy duty commercial environments. The
expectations of each of the users of the fabric differs and there are fabrics
made to match each of these expectations.
A grading scheme provides a useful way for
fabrics to be categorised so that the correct fabric can be chosen for each
application.
How can fabrics be graded?
A grading scheme based on the measurement of the
performance of the fabrics will provide the user with a guide to likely
performance when choosing a fabric. Standards Australia have issued Australian
Standard 2687-1997 "Textiles - Upholstery fabrics for domestic and
commercial use (excluding face-coated fabrics)".
This standard grades upholstery fabric into five
categories:
- Delicate
- Domestic Light Duty
- Domestic Medium Duty/Commercial Light Duty
- Domestic Heavy Duty/Commercial Medium Duty
- Commercial Heavy Duty
The grading is based on measuring the performance
of the fabric in a range of tests.
What tests are involved?
The tests required by the specification cover
such important performance criteria as shrinkage on cleaning, tear strength,
seam slippage, pilling, bursting strength, colourfastness to light, water,
cleaning and rubbing plus abrasion resistance.
The abrasion performance is measured by one of
three different methods.
Why is abrasion performance important?
Industry experience indicates that no single
abrasion tester will give a reliable indication of performance in use for all
types of fabric. Fabrics with a proven high performance in use can have test
results that indicate a lower performance grading depending on the method of
test. The Martindale Tester is widely used in Australia and Europe for testing
upholstery fabrics. The Wyzenbeck Tester is the usual instrument used in North
America for testing upholstery fabrics and for setting grading standards. This
Specification offers a choice of either of these methods for grading non-pile
fabrics. Pile fabrics are tested by the Stoll Abrasion Tester which is specially
designed to test that class of product.
The performance grade may be stated as that
indicated by the method which gives the higher grading result. It is not
necessary to test to more than one method but this may be necessary to determine
the best abrasion rating in some cases.
What fire tests are necessary?
The Standard does not provide for any specific
fire tests to be conducted. This is because the tests will vary depending on
where the product will be used and so it may be necessary to have several tests
on your fabric to satisfy all of the markets into which it is sold.
(source: AWTA Ltd)
Who should I talk to about Upholstery
testing?
Contact can be made with any of AWTA Ltd's
Textile Testing offices or by email to textiles@awta.com.au
.
For more details about upholstery testing see: Grading
of Upholstery Fabrics (AWTA)
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