ASTM D4851-97

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 4851 – 97
Standard Test Methods for
Coated and Laminated Fabrics for Architectural Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4851; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 These test methods cover the testing of coated and
laminated fabrics made primarily for use in fabric roof sys-
2. Referenced Documents
tems. These coated and laminated fabrics are generally in either
2.1 ASTM Standards:
an air supported or tension supported construction of fabric
C 423 Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Ab-
roof systems.
sorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method
1.2 These methods can be used for most fiber-based, coated
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
and laminated architectural fabrics.
D 751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
1.3 This standard includes the following sections that pro-
D 1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
vide test procedures for coated and laminated architectural
of Transparent Plastics
fabrics:
D 1494 Test Method for Diffuse Light Transmission Factor
Section
of Reinforced Plastics Panels
Fabric Count 8
Mass per Unit Area 9
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing
Fabric Thickness 10
D 1777 Method of Measuring Thickness of Textile Materi-
Fabric Width 11
als
Fabric Length 12
Fabric Bow 13
D 2904 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of a Textile Test
Adhesion of Coating to Fabric 14
Method that Produces Normally Distributed Data
Uniaxial Elongation Under Static Load 15
D 2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for
Fabric Breaking Force 16
Breaking Strength After Crease Fold 17
Textiles
Elongation at Break 18
D 3773 Test Methods for Length of Woven Fabric
Fabric Trapezoid Tear Force 19
D 3774 Test Methods for Width of Woven Fabric
Resistance to Accelerated Weathering 20
Solar Optical Properties 21
D 3775 Test Method for Fabric Count of Woven Fabric
Fabric Flame Resistance 22
D 3776 Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of
Noise Reduction Coefficient 23
Woven Fabric
1.4 These test methods include only testing procedures and
D 3882 Test Method for Bow and Skewness in Woven and
do not include specifications or tolerances. They are intended 7
Knitted Fabrics
as a guide for specifications. Any of these methods may be
D 4848 Terminology of Force, Deformation and Related
used in material specifications to evaluate requirements for a 7
Properties of Textiles
specific end use as related to a particular job.
D 5035 Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation
1.5 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to 7
of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test)
regarded separately as the standard. Within the text, the
D 5587 Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the
inch-pound units are shown in parentheses. The values stated 7
Trapezoid Procedure
in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
system shall be used independently of the other. 8
Building Materials
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the 8
E 108 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
1 4
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.02.
Textiles and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.59 on Fabric Test Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Methods, General. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
Current edition approved January 10, 1997. Published March 1997. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
published as D 4851 – 88. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D4851–97
E 136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical 5. Significance and Use
Tube Furnace at 750°C
5.1 The procedures in this standard can be used for accep-
E 424 Test Methods for Solar Energy Transmittance and
tance testing of commercial shipments of coated and laminated
Reflectance (Terrestrial) of Sheet Material
fabrics for architectural use since these test methods have been
G 23 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus
used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing. Caution is
(Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure
advised, however, when testing adhesion of coating to fabric
of Nonmetallic Materials
and breaking strength after crease fold because between
G 26 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus
laboratory precision is known to be poor (see 24.2). For these
(Xenon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure
cases, comparative tests conducted, as directed in 5.1.1, may be
of Nonmetallic Materials
advisable.
G 53 Practice for Operating Light- and Water-Exposure
5.1.1 In cases of a dispute arising from differences in
Apparatus (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Type) for Expo-
reported test results when using Test Methods D 4851 for
sure of Nonmetallic Materials
acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and
2.2 Adjunct:
the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if
TEX-PAC
there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent
2.3 Federal Standards:
statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of
Federal Test Method Standard 191b, Method 5903, Vertical
bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
Flame Resistance of Cloth
specimens which are as homogeneous as possible and from a
NFPA 701 National Fire Protection Standards—701 Stan-
lot of material of the type in question. The test specimens
dard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Resistant Textiles
should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each
and Films
laboratory for testing. The average results from the two
laboratories should be compared using appropriate statistical
3. Terminology
analysis for unpaired data and an acceptable probability level
3.1 Definitions:
chosen by the two parties before the testing is begun. If a bias
3.1.1 air-supported roof, n—a fabric roof-system that is
is found, either its cause must be found and corrected or the
properly secured and primarily supported and held in place by
purchaser and the supplier must agree to interpret future test
air pressure.
results with consideration of the known bias.
3.1.2 architectural-use, n—in the building trade, a descrip-
5.2 The uses and significance of specific properties are
tive term for fabrics used in fabric roof-systems or similar
discussed in the appropriate sections of specific test methods.
industrial applications. (See also fabric roof-system)
3.1.3 coated fabric, n—a flexible material composed of a
6. Sampling
textile fabric and an adherent polymeric material applied to one
6.1 Lot Size—The size of an acceptance sampling lot of
or both surfaces. (See also laminated fabric)
fabric for architectural use shall be the number of fabric rolls
3.1.4 fabric roof-system, n—a system of coated fabric or
in a shipment or consignment of a single fabric style unless
laminated fabric along with support cables, edge ropes, clamps,
otherwise agreed upon between the purchaser and supplier.
neoprene, roof drains, arch wear strips, and anchor bolts that
6.2 Lot Sample—Unless otherwise agreed upon, as when
constitutes the outside top covering of a building.
specified in an applicable order or contract, take as a lot sample
3.1.5 laminated fabric, n—in fabric roof-systems, a flexible
the number of rolls in a shipment or consignment of fabric.
material composed of superimposed layers of textile fabric
Specify the number of rolls of fabric in the lot sample for each
firmly united by bonding or impregnating with an adherent
property of interest. Consider rolls of fabric to be the primary
polymeric material to one or more surfaces.
sampling units.
3.1.6 tension-supported roof, n—a fabric roof-system, that
NOTE 1—An adequate specification or other agreement between the
is properly secured and primarily held in place by tensile forces
purchaser and supplier requires taking into account the variability between
applied across the system.
rolls of fabric and between specimens from a swatch or roll of fabric to
3.1.7 For terminology of other textile terms used in this
provide a sampling plan with a meaningful producer’s risk, consumer’s
standard, refer to Terminology D 123. For definitions related to
risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting quality level.
force and deformation in textiles, refer to Terminology D 4848.
6.3 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample, take the
4. Summary of Test Method
following samples:
6.3.1 For fabric width, fabric bow, and fabric length, the
4.1 A summary of the directions prescribed for the determi-
rolls in the lot sample serve as the laboratory sample.
nation of specific properties is stated in the appropriate sections
6.3.2 For noise reduction coefficient, flame resistance other
of specific methods or in the referenced test methods.
than small scale NFPA 701, solar optical properties, and
resistance to accelerated weathering, take as a laboratory
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
sample a full-width swatch 12 m (12 yd) long from the end of
PC Programs on floppy disks are available through ASTM. For a 3 ⁄2-in. disk
each randomly selected roll in the lot sample as determined by
request PCN:12-429040-18.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, North Capital and H Streets, agreement between the purchaser and supplier.
NW, Washington, DC 20401.
NOTE 2—Properties such as noise reduction coefficient, some flame
Although discontinued by the National Fire Protection Association, this
standard continues to be used by the industry. resistance tests, solar optical, and resistance to weathering are dependent
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D4851–97
upon fabric style and manufacturing processes. The extent of the sampling
counts in the cross-machine direction on each of the swatches
for these properties is usually defined in the applicable order or contract.
from the rolls in the laboratory sample.
Among the options available to the purchaser and the supplier is for the
purchaser to accept a certification by the manufacturer that the material in
9. Mass Per Unit Area
question meets the specification agreed upon by the two parties and what
9.1 Determine the mass per unit area of the fabric as
the basis for the certification is, such as, historical data generated from
directed in Test Methods D 3776, Option C, using each of the
material manufactured under the same conditions.
rolls in the laboratory sample.
6.3.3 For other properties take as a laboratory sample a
full-width swatch1m(1yd) long from the end of each roll in
10. Thickness
the lot sample.
10.1 Determine the thickness of the fabric as directed in
NOTE 3—The sample swatch, as in the laboratory sample, may be taken
Method D 1777 using ten test specimens from each roll in the
from the end of a roll if there is no visual evidence that the fabric is
laboratory sample and using the gage with a presser foot with
distorted or different from the fabric in other parts of the roll. In cases of
a diameter of 9.5 6 0.025 mm (0.375 6 0.001 in.) that is
dispute or if by visual evidence the outside fabric is not typical, take a
weighted to apply a total force of 1.70 6 0.03 N (6 6 0.1 ozf)
sample swatch after excluding fabric from the outer wrap of the roll or the
equivalent in pressure of 23.4 kPa (3.4 psi), unless otherwise
inner wrap of the core.
specified.
6.4 Test Specimens—For fabric width, fabric bow, and
fabric length, the rolls in the lot sample serve as test specimens.
11. Width
For other properties, take test specimens from the swatches in
11.1 Determine the width of the fabric as directed in Test
the laboratory sample as directed in the respective test methods
Method D 3774, Option A (full roll), using the tension free
in this standard.
procedure, except make five measurements on each of the rolls
6.4.1 Take the specimens for the measurement of the
in the lot sample.
machine direction properties from different positions across the
fabric width and the specimens for the measurement of the
12. Length
cross-machine direction properties from different positions
12.1 Measure the length of each roll in the lot sample as
along the length of the fabric. Take no specimens nearer the
directed in Test Method D 3773 using Option B (Drum
selvage or edge of the fabric than ⁄10 the width of the fabric or
Method) or Option C (Clock Method). Verify that each sample
125 mm (5 in.) whichever is smaller.
roll does not contain more than one piece. Total the lengths of
the rolls measured. Compare the length for each of the rolls
7. Conditioning
tested to the length specified on the corresponding identifica-
7.1 Bring the specimens to moisture equilibrium in one of
tion label.
the following atmospheres:
7.1.1 Option 1—A temperature of 21 6 2°C (70 6 4°F) and
13. Fabric Bow
relative humidity of 65 6 5%.
13.1 Measure the fabric bow of each roll in the lot sample as
7.1.2 Option 2—A temperature of 23 6 2°C (73 6 4°F) and
directed in Test Method D 3882 in three places spaced as
relative humidity of 50 6 5%.
widely as possible along the roll length. Make no measurement
NOTE 4—The intent of the two options for testing atmospheres is to
closer to the ends of the roll than1m(1 yd).
allow testing of architectural fabrics in respective laboratories where
products generally manufactured are related to a fabric laminating or
14. Adhesion of Coating to Fabric
coating discipline. In any event, the test atmosphere option shall be agreed
NOTE 6—Precaution: In addition to other precautions, when flam-
upon by the contractural parties and stated in the report.
mable or toxic adhesives are used for sealing, they should be cured in a
7.2 Equilibrium is considered to have been reached when
well-ventil
...