ASTM D4772-97(2004)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D4772–97 (Reapproved 2004)
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 D 5433 Performance Specification for Towel Products for
Institutional and Household Use
1.1 This test method determines the ability of a terry fabric
2.2 AATCC Standard:
to rapidly absorb and retain liquid water from surfaces such as
Test Method 135 Dimensional Changes inAutomatic Home
human skin, dishes, and furniture.
Laundering of Woven and Knit Fabrics
1.2 This test method is not applicable to non-terry fabrics
such as huck towels, waffle-weave towels, crash towels,
3. Terminology
flour-sack towels, and nonwoven wipes. The steep angle of the
3.1 Definitions:
specimen on the apparatus may cause a large amount of water
3.1.1 absorption, n—a process in which one material (the
to runoff these non-pile fabrics, or the lightweight/open struc-
absorbent) takes in or absorbs another (the absorbate); as the
ture of these fabrics may allow a large amount of water to
absorption of moisture by fibers.
completely pass through the specimen; thus the test result may
3.1.2 pile, n—in pile fabric, the raised loops or tufts (cut
not be a valid measure of a non-terry fabric’s ability to absorb
loops) that form all or part of the surface.
water.
3.1.3 surface water absorption, n—by a fabric, the process
1.3 This test method is not applicable to decorative terry
of removing liquid water from a surface such as human skin,
fabrics that will not be used to absorb water from surfaces.
dishes, or furniture.
1.4 This test method is written in SI units. The inch-pound
3.1.4 terry fabric, n—a material with a woven warp pile or
units that are provided are not necessarily exact equivalents of
a knitted pile, with uncut loops on a single side or uncut loops
the SI units. Either system of units may be used in this test
on both sides, and which is used for such products as toweling,
method. In case of referee decisions the SI units will prevail.
beachwear, and bathrobes.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.5 For definitions of other textile terms used in this test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
method, refer to Terminologies D 123 and D 3136.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Aterry fabric product with hems or with both hems and
2. Referenced Documents selvages (such as a bath towel), or a terry fabric without hems
2 or without both hems and selvages (such as a terry fabric cut
2.1 ASTM Standards:
from a roll) is prepared for testing by preconditioning and
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
conditioning. Specimens are placed one at a time in an
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing
embroidery hoop and then the hoop/specimen assembly is
D 2904 Practice for InterlaboratoryTesting of aTextileTest
placed at an angle on the base of the apparatus. After water
Method that Produces Normally Distributed Data
flows down the surface of each specimen, the amount of water
D 2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for
retained by each specimen is measured. Six specimens are
Textiles
tested, three on the face of the fabric and three on the back of
D 3136 Terminology for Permanent Care Labels for Con-
the fabric. The six observations are averaged to determine the
sumer Textile and Leather Products Other Than Carpets
surface water absorption of the fabric.
and Upholstery
5. Significance and Use
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D13 onTextiles
5.1 This test method may be used to test the surface water
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.59 on Fabric Test Methods,
absorption of terry fabrics for bath towels, bath sheets, hand
General.
towels, kitchen towels, dishcloths, washcloths, beachwear,
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1997. Published June 1997. Originally
published as D 4772-88. Last previous editioin D 4772 – 88.
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 Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O.
the ASTM website Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4772–97 (2004)
bathrobes, and the like. Different specifications may be needed
for each of these fabrics because of different applications.
5.2 Itisrecognizedthatsurfacewaterabsorptionisonlyone
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-
geneous as possible and that are from a lot of material of the
type in question. The laboratory sampling units should then be
randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for
testing.Theaverageresultsfromthetwolaboratoriesshouldbe
A = Hoop,
compared using appropriate statistical analysis for unpaired
B = Base,
data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the two
C = Funnel,
D = Valve,
parties before the testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its
E = Graduate,
cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and
F = Pour Spout,
supplier must agree to interpret future test results with consid-
G = Pan, and
H = Adjustment Screw.
eration of the known bias.
FIG. 1 Schematic Diagram of a Typical Water Flow Tester
6. Apparatus and Materials
time the water has exited the graduate (except for a few drops)
6.1 Water Flow Tester—This tester is not commercially
must be less than 8.0 s. (The tester shown in Figs. 2 and 3 has
available, but it is not difficult or expensive to build. The tester
a mean of 5.7 s and a standard deviation of 0.5 s).
shown in Figs. 1-3 can be made from the parts and the series
6.1.4 The hoop/specimen assembly must be mounted on the
of steps described in Annex A1; however, there are other
base in a manner to direct all water not absorbed by the
acceptable ways to build the tester. Sections 6.1.1-6.1.4 indi-
specimen toward the pan (see Figs. 1-3). It is especially
cate the critical factors which must be incorporated into the
important that any water that passes completely through the
design of the tester.
specimen is directed toward the pan and is not allowed to be
6.1.1 The hoop/specimen assembly must be at 1.1 rad (60°)
absorbed by the lower portion of the specimen, or the edge of
to the table top (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 3).
the laboratory sampling unit, or held where the hoop contacts
6.1.2 The 50-mL graduate mounted on the apparatus must
the base.
be parallel to the table top (see Figs. 1 and 2). The pour spout
6.2 Embroidery Hoop, 15.3-cm (6-in.) outer diameter of
on this graduate must be 3.0 6 0.2 cm (1.18 6 0.08 in.) down
inner hoop. If the hoop is made of wood, it must have a
from where the adjustment screw bracket joints the outer hoop
water-resistant finish (such as a marine varnish).
and 0.6 6 0.4 cm (0.24 6 0.16 in.) away from the hoop/
6.3 Graduate, Polymethylpentene (PMP) 50 mL.
specimen assembly (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 3).
6.4 Distilled or Deionized Water,at21 6 1°C (70 6 2°F).
6.1.3 The funnel, valve, fittings, tubing, and graduate
6.5 Laboratory Sampling Unit Conditioning Equipment,
mounted on the apparatus (see Fig. 2) must not restrict the flow
facilities such as a multiple shelf/rod conditioning rack (for
of water. The time between the opening of the valve and the
example see Practice D 1776) or a clothesline and clothespins.
For more information see 9.2.
The relationship between water and textiles is complex. For information on the
6.6 Tumble Dryer, equivalent to the one described in
different forms of interaction between water and textiles see: Zeronian, S. H.
AATCC Test Method 135.
“Analysis of the Interaction Between Water and Textiles,” pages 117–128 in
6.7 Washing Machine, equivalent to the one described in
Analytical Methods for a Textile Laboratory, American Association of Textile
Chemists and Colorists, third edition, 1984, edited by J. W. Weaver. AATCC Test Method 135.
D4772–97 (2004)
FIG. 2 A Typical Water Flow Tester
FIG. 3 The Water Flow Tester with the Laboratory Sampling Unit
in Place
6.8 Detergent, heavy duty granule, equivalent to The 1993
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
shouldbedyedandfinishedastheconsumerwouldpurchaseit.
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
ofrollsoffabricdirectedinanapplicablematerialspecification 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
small laboratory sampling units will be needed to provide the six
NOTE 1—Any agreement between the purchaser and supplier must take
observations. In choosing the size of the laboratory sampling unit, keep in
into account the variability between rolls, bolts, or pieces of fabric and
mind that terry fabric has a high degree of shrinkage during washing and
between specimens from a swatch of fabric from a roll, bolt, or piece, or
drying.
between cartons of garments and between garments within a carton, to
provide a sampling plan with a meaningful producer’s risk, consumer’s
7.2.2 Alternate Laboratory Sampling Unit—As an alterna-
risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting quality level.
tive to the procedure described in 7.2.1, a terry fabric without
7.2 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for accep- hems or without both hems and selvages can be used (such as
tance testing, take the number of laboratory sampling units a terry fabric cut from a roll). The fabric should be dyed and
specified in the agreement between the purchaser and the finished as the consumer would purchase it. A fabric approxi-
supplier. Take the laboratory sampling units as follows: mately 112 (lengthwise direction) by 56 cm (44 by 22 in.) or
D4772–97 (2004)
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 Foralaboratorysamplingunit(s)thatisapproximately
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-
pling unit uses a dryer to precondition the laboratory sampling
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,
dry a 3.6-kg (8-lb) dummy load of desized unsoftened fabrics
which will not be tested, and then repeat this procedure with a
FIG. 4 Location of the Hoop for a Large Laboratory Sampling
different dummy load of 3.6 kg (8 lb) of desized unsoftened Unit Such as a Bath Towel
fabrics.
8.1.2 Clean the lint filter.
8.2.1 If fabric softener has recently been used in the washer
8.1.3 Load the dryer with laboratory sampling units that
or dryer, wash or dry or both a 3.6-kg (8-lb) dummy load of
comprise a homogeneous load (for example, same manufac-
desized unsoftened fabrics which will not be tested, and then
turer, same line, same finishing, and same previous care). It is
repeat this procedure with a different dummy load of 3.6 kg (8
not necessary to have a full load in the dryer, so it is acceptable
lb) of desized unsoftened fabrics.
to load only one laboratory sampling unit into the dryer.
8.2.2 If the washer has a lint filter, clean the lint filter.
8.1.4 Select normal cycle, medium temperature (see Termi-
8.2.3 Load the washer with a 3.6-kg (8-lb) load of labora-
nology D 3136, and AATCC Test Method 135), and run the
tory sampling units that comprise a homogen
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