EN 15977:2011

Overview

EN 15977:2011 is a CEN European standard describing a reproducible test method for assessing the mechanical properties of rubber- or plastic-coated fabrics, specifically the determination of elongation under load and residual deformation. The standard defines specimen preparation, required apparatus, loading regimes, optional heat ageing, calculation methods and required test report information for coated textiles used in different end-uses.

Key Topics and requirements

• Scope: Method for measuring elongation under load and residual deformation of coated fabrics (rubber or plastic coated).
• Specimen preparation:
  • Test three strips of (50 ± 1) mm width in each principal direction (e.g., warp/weft).
  • Strip length: at least 200 mm or 300–400 mm depending on test parameters.
  • Mark two perpendicular lines at (100 ± 1) mm or (200 ± 1) mm apart (Table 1).
• Apparatus:
  • Calibrated ruler (0.5 mm gradations) or calliper (0.1 mm resolution).
  • Manual loading device with non-damaging steel jaws; loads applied by calibrated masses.
  • Hot air oven (for optional heat exposure) per EN 12280-1.
• Test procedure:
  • Condition tests in atmosphere B per EN ISO 2231.
  • Place specimen so each mark sits 50 mm from its clamp.
  • Apply specified load for the specified duration, measure length under load, then allow relaxation and measure residual length.
  • Choose measurement resolution such that device resolution is ~1/10 of the expected elongation measurement.
• Typical test parameters (Table 1):
  • For architectural coated fabrics: mark distance 200 mm, load (10.00 ± 0.01) daN, load time 24 h ± 30 min, relaxation 2 h ± 5 min.
  • For upholstery-type coated fabrics: mark distance 100 mm, load (5.00 ± 0.01) daN, load time 30 ± 3 min, relaxation 30 ± 3 min.
• Optional heat ageing: 24 h at (80 ± 2) °C in hot air oven (EN 12280-1) with 2 h stabilization before testing.
• Calculations:
  • Elongation under load = ((length under load − initial length) / initial length) × 100 (%).
  • Residual deformation = ((residual length after relaxation − initial length) / initial length) × 100 (%).
• Test report must cite EN 15977, test date, specimen ID, ageing status, parameters, individual and mean results, and any deviations.

Applications and users

EN 15977 is used by:

• Coated fabric manufacturers and R&D teams for product development and quality control.
• Independent testing laboratories performing mechanical property verification.
• Specifiers, architects and procurement professionals assessing coated textiles for architectural membranes, awnings, upholstery, tarpaulins and technical textile applications.
• Compliance and certification bodies referencing standardized test results.

Keywords: EN 15977, coated fabrics testing, elongation under load, residual deformation, rubber-coated fabrics, plastic-coated fabrics, mechanical properties.

Related standards

• EN 12280-1:1997 - accelerated heat ageing (referenced for optional oven treatment)
• EN ISO 2231 - standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
• EN 15619 (normative background - Annex C)