ASTM D6540-24

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6540 − 22 D6540 − 24
Standard Test Method for
Accelerated Soiling of Pile Yarn Floor Covering
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6540; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes the equipment, and the test method for assessing the propensity of pile yarn floor coverings to
soiling in the absence of abrasive wear and texture changes, using a standard synthetic soil composition.
1.2 This test method is applicable for use in testing unused pile yarn floor covering of all types. It is not applicable for use in
testing used pile yarn floor covering.
1.3 This test method can be used to compare the soiling propensity of two or more carpets; or it can be used to soil carpets as
a preliminary step to other test procedures.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D5684 Terminology Relating to Pile Floor Coverings
2.2 ASTM Adjunct:
TEX-PAC
2.3 AATCC Standards :
Evaluation Procedure 1 – Gray Scale for Color Change
TM 122AATCC LP4 Carpet Soiling: Service Soiling Method: Laboratory Procedure for Synthetic Soil
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.21 on Pile Floor Coverings.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2022Jan. 1, 2024. Published March 2022March 2024. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20172022 as
D6540–17. DOI: 10.1520/D6540-22.–22. DOI: 10.1520/D6540-24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The PC program on floppy disks for analyzing Committee D13 interlaboratory data are available from ASTM. RequestADJD2904ADJ:D2904.
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, PO Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6540 − 24
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to Pile Floor Coverings, D13.21, refer to Terminology D5684.
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard: carpet, finished, finished pile yarn floor covering, floor covering, pile, pile
lay, pile yarn floor covering, soiling, textile floor covering, tufted fabric, use-surface.
3.2 For all other terminology related to textiles, refer to Terminology D123.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The carpet test specimens are secured to a backing sheet that is mounted inside the drum with the pile surface exposed, and
are subjected to an accelerated soiling process. The degree of soiling is measured or assessed by comparing the change in color
between soiled and original pile yarn floor covering, using a measurement device or visually matching the differences on the
light-dark axis of Gray Scales.
NOTE 1—Differentiation between test samples is significantly reduced when Gray Scales are used.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method may be used to soil test specimens in the absence of abrasive wear and texture changes under controlled
conditions using a standard synthetic soil, or as a preliminary step to other procedures.
5.2 This test method will provide a uniformly soiled test specimen to evaluate, is reproducible (see sectionSection 11), and is
economical for Testing Laboratories.
5.3 This test method has been found to give results similar to the actual floor service soiling, but its use is recommended only as
a screening test method and not as a replacement for floor testing.
5.4 The acceptance criteria of this test method shall be set by mutual agreement between the purchaser and supplier.
6. Apparatus and Materials
6.1 Hexapod Tumble Tester
6.1.1 Drum—Constructed of molded PVC and is capped by a lid that is secured. The drum base and lid have a locating groove
to hold the specimen backing sheet flat to the inner wall of the drum. The drum dimensions are:
Internal Diameter 12.00 in. ± 0.04 in. (305 mm ± 1 mm)
Wall Thickness 0.03 in. approx. (8 mm approx.)
Internal Depth 7.90 in. ± 0.04 in. (200 mm ± 1 mm)
6.1.2 Driving System—Cradles the drum on rollers and keeps the axis of the drum level, rotates at 0.60 r/s 6 0.03 r/s (35 r/min
6 2 r/min). The driving system reverses every 15 min with approximately one minute stationary time.
6.2 Specimen Backing Sheet—is a polyethylene sheet 37.40 in. by 8.50 in. by 0.08 in. (950 mm by 215 mm by 2 mm).
6.3 Tape—double sided pressure sensitive adhesive, 2.0 in. (50 mm) width.
6.4 Cleaning Frame—a rectangular frame 39.4 in. by 11.8 in. (1000 mm × 300 mm) with a central rectangular aperture 37.0 in.
by 7.9 in. (940 mm by 200 mm) to receive the test specimen, of material similar in construction to the test specimen and mounted
on a backing sheet.
6.5 Vacuum Cleaner—upright type, with a rotating brush. An approved vacuum certified in the CRI Seal of Approval Program
D6540 − 24
(SOA) shall be acceptable for use in this practice. Alternatively, a handheld vacuum that meets the following general specifications
can be used: powered rotating brush, bagless design HEPA filtration 7A motor, nozzle width 6.5 in. 6 0.3 in. (165 7 mm 6 7 mm).
Replace the bristles when the bristles length changes more than 15 % of the original length.
6.6 Mixing Container—a wide mouth container such as a Standard Mill jar.
6.7 Polymer Pellets—polyamide polymer pellets having a maximum size of 0.27 in. 6 0.08 in. (7 mm 6 2 mm)
6.8 Chrome Alloy Steel Balls (Ball Bearings)—with a 0.37 in. 6 0.01 in. (9.50 mm 6 0.02 mm) diameter.
6.9 Standard Soiling Compound—a soiling compound which is compatible with the test equipment, such as AATCC Synthetic Soil
Formula listed in AATCC Test Method 122.LP4: Laboratory Procedure for Synthetic Soil.
6.10 Control Pile Yarn Floor Covering—an internal standard light colored carpet of known specifications used as a reference for
each test evaluation.
6.11 Color Measurement Equipment—A color measurement device with a 2.0 in. 6 0.2 in. (50 mm 6 0.5 mm) aperture, capable
of measuring the color of pile yarn floor covering and expressing the results in Delta E (dE) or Delta L (dL).
6.12 Gray Scales—standard gray scales used to visibly assess change in color of pile yarn floor covering as per AATCC Procedure
1.
6.13 Template—to be the same size as the test specimen with 3 holes of the same dimensions as the measuring head of the color
measuring device. See Fig. 1.
6.14 Magnet—capable of attracting and holding several chrome alloy steel balls at one time.
7. Sampling, and Preparation of Soiled Pellets, Sampling, and Test Specimens
7.1 Preparation of Soiled Polyamide Polymer Pellets
FIG. 1 Example of a Suitable Template for Color Measurement
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7.1.1 Place 0.1058 oz 6 0.0017 oz (3.00 g 6 0.05 g) of the standard soiling compound (see 6.9) and 2.205 lb 6 0.002 lb (1000
g 6 1 g) of polyamide polymer pellets (see 6.7) in the mixing container. Secure the lid and place the mixing container on the
driving system for 10 min, reverse direction and continue for an additional 10 min, for a total of 20 min to ensure a homogeneous
mixture of the soil and polyamide polymer pellets.
NOTE 2—To simulate particular use areas, it may be necessary to adjust the type or quantity, or both, of soiling compound and document the change in
the written report.
NOTE 3—If large quantities of soiled pellets are prepared, that is more than 4.409 lb (2000 g), they shall be kept in an airtight container to ensure no loss
of moisture from the mixture occurs, and the supply shall not be allowed to dwindle below 25 % of the original quantity.
NOTE 4—This Test Methodtest method was developed using AATCC synthetic soiling compound and if another soiling compound is used the amount
of soil used to prepare the soiled polymer pellets must be adjusted.
7.2 Ensure the inside of the drum and chrome alloy steel balls are clean.
7.3 Size of Test Specimens
7.3.1 Cut a minimum of two test specimens per pile yarn floor covering, measuring a minimum of 5.00 in. 6 0.04 in. (125 mm
6 1 mm) in the direction of manufacture by 8.00 in. 6 0.08 in. (205 mm 6 2 mm) wide. Mark an arrow in the direction of the
pile lay on the back of the test specimen. All test specimens shall be conditioned (clause 8.1), flat singly, and with use-surface
uppermost, for a minimum of 24 h.
7.4 Specimen Attachment
7.4.1 To the specimen backing sheet (see 6.2) attach double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape (see 6.3) at each edge, across
the ends and at each junction of the test specimen. M
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