ASTM D4772-97

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D 4772 – 97
Standard Test Method for
Surface Water Absorption of Terry Fabrics (Water Flow)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4772; 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 sumer Textile and Leather Products Other Than Carpets
and Upholstery
1.1 This test method determines the ability of a terry fabric
D 5433 Performance Specification for Towel Products for
to rapidly absorb and retain liquid water from surfaces such as
Institutional and Household Use
human skin, dishes, and furniture.
2.2 AATCC Standard:
1.2 This test method is not applicable to non-terry fabrics
Test Method 135 Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home
such as huck towels, waffle-weave towels, crash towels,
Laundering of Woven and Knit Fabrics
flour-sack towels, and nonwoven wipes. The steep angle of the
specimen on the apparatus may cause a large amount of water
3. Terminology
to runoff these non-pile fabrics, or the lightweight/open struc-
3.1 Definitions:
ture of these fabrics may allow a large amount of water to
3.1.1 absorption, n—a process in which one material (the
completely pass through the specimen; thus the test result may
absorbent) takes in or absorbs another (the absorbate); as the
not be a valid measure of a non-terry fabric’s ability to absorb
absorption of moisture by fibers.
water.
3.1.2 pile, n—in pile fabric, the raised loops or tufts (cut
1.3 This test method is not applicable to decorative terry
loops) that form all or part of the surface.
fabrics that will not be used to absorb water from surfaces.
3.1.3 surface water absorption, n—by a fabric, the process
1.4 This test method is written in SI units. The inch-pound
of removing liquid water from a surface such as human skin,
units that are provided are not necessarily exact equivalents of
dishes, or furniture.
the SI units. Either system of units may be used in this test
3.1.4 terry fabric, n—a material with a woven warp pile or
method. In case of referee decisions the SI units will prevail.
a knitted pile, with uncut loops on a single side or uncut loops
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
on both sides, and which is used for such products as toweling,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
beachwear, and bathrobes.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.5 For definitions of other textile terms used in this test
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
method, refer to Terminologies D 123 and D 3136.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 A terry fabric product with hems or with both hems and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 selvages (such as a bath towel), or a terry fabric without hems
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
2 or without both hems and selvages (such as a terry fabric cut
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing
from a roll) is prepared for testing by preconditioning and
D 2904 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of a Textile Test
2 conditioning. Specimens are placed one at a time in an
Method that Produces Normally Distributed Data
embroidery hoop and then the hoop/specimen assembly is
D 2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for
2 placed at an angle on the base of the apparatus. After water
Textiles
flows down the surface of each specimen, the amount of water
D 3136 Terminology for Permanent Care Labels for Con-
retained by each specimen is measured. Six specimens are
tested, three on the face of the fabric and three on the back of
the fabric. The six observations are averaged to determine the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on Textiles surface water absorption of the fabric.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.59 on Fabric Test Methods,
General.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1997. Published June 1997. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
published as D 4772-88. Last previous editioin D 4772 – 88. Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4772
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method may be used to test the surface water
absorption of terry fabrics for bath towels, bath sheets, hand
towels, kitchen towels, dishcloths, washcloths, beachwear,
bathrobes, and the like. Different specifications may be needed
for each of these fabrics because of different applications.
5.2 It is recognized that surface water absorption is only one
of the characteristics that the ultimate consumer may use in
determining which terry fabric is acceptable. Consult Specifi-
cation D 5433 for other characteristics that may be applicable
to terry fabrics.
5.3 This test method is recommended for quality control
testing of terry fabrics during manufacturing and product
comparisons of different terry fabrics by manufacturers, retail-
ers, and users.
5.4 This test method may be used for the acceptance testing
of commercial shipments of terry fabrics, but caution is
advised since interlaboratory precision is known to be poor.
Comparative tests as directed in 5.4.1 may be advisable.
5.4.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in
reported test results when using this test method for acceptance
testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
plier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is
a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statis-
tical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias.
As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of
laboratory sampling units (such as towels) that are as homo-
A = Hoop,
geneous as possible and that are from a lot of material of the
B = Base,
C = Funnel,
type in question. The laboratory sampling units should then be
D = Valve,
randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for
E = Graduate,
testing. The average results from the two laboratories should be
F = Pour Spout,
G = Pan, and
compared using appropriate statistical analysis for unpaired
H = Adjustment Screw.
data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the two
FIG. 1 Schematic Diagram of a Typical Water Flow Tester
parties before the testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its
cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and
supplier must agree to interpret future test results with consid-
and 0.6 6 0.4 cm (0.24 6 0.16 in.) away from the hoop/
eration of the known bias.
specimen assembly (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 3).
6.1.3 The funnel, valve, fittings, tubing, and graduate
6. Apparatus and Materials
mounted on the apparatus (see Fig. 2) must not restrict the flow
6.1 Water Flow Tester—This tester is not commercially
of water. The time between the opening of the valve and the
available, but it is not difficult or expensive to build. The tester
time the water has exited the graduate (except for a few drops)
shown in Figs. 1-3 can be made from the parts and the series
must be less than 8.0 s. (The tester shown in Figs. 2 and 3 has
of steps described in Annex A1; however, there are other
a mean of 5.7 s and a standard deviation of 0.5 s).
acceptable ways to build the tester. Sections 6.1.1-6.1.4 indi-
6.1.4 The hoop/specimen assembly must be mounted on the
cate the critical factors which must be incorporated into the
base in a manner to direct all water not absorbed by the
design of the tester.
specimen toward the pan (see Figs. 1-3). It is especially
6.1.1 The hoop/specimen assembly must be at 1.1 rad (60°)
important that any water that passes completely through the
to the table top (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 3).
specimen is directed toward the pan and is not allowed to be
6.1.2 The 50-mL graduate mounted on the apparatus must
absorbed by the lower portion of the specimen, or the edge of
be parallel to the table top (see Figs. 1 and 2). The pour spout
the laboratory sampling unit, or held where the hoop contacts
on this graduate must be 3.0 6 0.2 cm (1.18 6 0.08 in.) down
the base.
from where the adjustment screw bracket joints the outer hoop
6.2 Embroidery Hoop, 15.3-cm (6-in.) outer diameter of
inner hoop. If the hoop is made of wood, it must have a
water-resistant finish (such as a marine varnish).
The relationship between water and textiles is complex. For information on the
6.3 Graduate, Polymethylpentene (PMP) 50 mL.
different forms of interaction between water and textiles see: Zeronian, S. H.
6.4 Distilled or Deionized Water,at21 6 1°C (70 6 2°F).
“Analysis of the Interaction Between Water and Textiles,” pages 117–128 in
6.5 Laboratory Sampling Unit Conditioning Equipment,
Analytical Methods for a Textile Laboratory, American Association of Textile
Chemists and Colorists, third edition, 1984, edited by J. W. Weaver. facilities such as a multiple shelf/rod conditioning rack (for
D 4772
FIG. 2 A Typical Water Flow Tester
FIG. 3 The Water Flow Tester with the Laboratory Sampling Unit
in Place
example see Practice D 1776) or a clothesline and clothespins.
For more information see 9.2.
provide a sampling plan with a meaningful producer’s risk, consumer’s
6.6 Tumble Dryer, equivalent to the one described in
risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting quality level.
AATCC Test Method 135.
7.2 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for accep-
6.7 Washing Machine, equivalent to the one described in
tance testing, take the number of laboratory sampling units
AATCC Test Method 135.
specified in the agreement between the purchaser and the
6.8 Detergent, heavy duty granule, equivalent to The 1993
supplier. Take the laboratory sampling units as follows:
AATCC Standard Reference Detergent described in AATCC
7.2.1 Recommended Laboratory Sampling Unit—Because
Test Method 135 or any detergent agreed upon by the pur-
this is a nondestructive test method, the recommended labora-
chaser and the supplier that does not include fabric softener or
tory sampling unit is a terry fabric product with hems or with
bleach.
both hems and selvages (such as a bath towel). The fabric
should be dyed and finished as the consumer would purchase it.
7. Sampling
A fabric approximately 112 (lengthwise direction) by 56 cm
7.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing,
(44 by 22 in.) or larger is easier to test than a small fabric as all
take at random the number of shipping cartons or the number
six observations can be made on one fabric, but the procedure
of rolls of fabric directed in an applicable material specification
allows for testing a small fabric such as a hand towel (see Note
or other agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.
2).
Consider shipping cartons or rolls of fabric to be the primary
NOTE 2—A 20.0 by 20.0-cm (7.87 by 7.87-in.) fabric is the smallest
sampling units, see Note 1.
laboratory sampling unit that can be tested on the apparatus. Six of these
NOTE 1—Any agreement between the purchaser and supplier must take small laboratory sampling units will be needed to provide the six
into account the variability between rolls, bolts, or pieces of fabric and observations. In choosing the size of the laboratory sampling unit, keep in
between specimens from a swatch of fabric from a roll, bolt, or piece, or mind that terry fabric has a high degree of shrinkage during washing and
between cartons of garments and between garments within a carton, to drying.
D 4772
7.2.2 Alternate Laboratory Sampling Unit—As an alterna-
tive to the procedure described in 7.2.1, a terry fabric without
hems or without both hems and selvages can be used (such as
a terry fabric cut from a roll). The fabric should be dyed and
finished as the consumer would purchase it. A fabric approxi-
mately 112 (lengthwise direction) by 56 cm (44 by 22 in.) or
larger is easier to test than a small fabric as all six observations
can be made on one fabric, but the procedure allows for testing
a small fabric (see Note 2).
7.3 Specimens—After the laboratory sampling unit(s) has
been prepared as directed in Section 8 and conditioned as
directed in Section 9, take six specimens (the area inside the
hoop) by locating the hoop on the laboratory sampling unit(s)
as follows:
7.3.1 For a laboratory sampling unit(s) that is approximately
112 (lengthwise direction) by 56 cm (44 by 22 in.) or larger,
locate the hoop as shown in Fig. 4.
7.3.2 For a laboratory sampling unit(s) that is not large
enough to locate the hoop so that all six specimens are on one
laboratory sampling unit, alternate the hoop from face to back
using as many laboratory sampling units as needed to obtain
the six specimens.
8. Preparation of the Laboratory Sampling Unit
8.1 Recommended Preparation of the Laboratory Sampling
Unit—The recommended preparation of the laboratory sam-
FIG. 4 Location of the Hoop for a Large Laboratory Sampling
pling unit uses a dryer to precondition the laboratory sampling
Unit Such as a Bath Towel
unit and raise the pile so it is not matted down. See 6.6 for a
description of the dryer. The procedure is as follows:
8.1.1 If fabric softener has recently been used in the dryer,
purchaser and the supplier, however, must agree on the number
dry a 3.6-kg (8-lb) dummy load of desized unsoftened fabrics
of washing and drying cycles. This procedure may cause more
which will not be tested, and then repeat this procedure with a
variation in the test result than the procedure described in 8.1
different dummy load of 3.6 kg (8 lb) of desized unsoftened
and it is not recommended for acceptance testing unless there
fabrics.
has been an agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.
8.1.2 Clean the lint filter.
This procedure uses the equipment and the supplies described
8.1.3 Load the dryer with laboratory sampling units that
in 6.6-6.8. The procedure is as follows:
comprise a homogeneous load (for example, same manufac-
8.2.1 If fabric softener has recently been used in the washer
turer, same line, same finishing, and same previous care). It is
or dryer, wash or dry or both a 3.6-kg (8-lb) dummy load of
not necessary to have a full load in the dryer, so it is acceptable
desized unsoftened fabrics which will not be tested, and then
to load only one laboratory sampling unit into the dryer.
repeat this procedure with a different dummy load of 3.6 kg (8
8.1.4 Select normal cycle, medium t
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