CEN: Physical Test Methods

There are several methods used for evaluating the physical parameters of fabrics & garments

EN 530 - ABRASION TEST

EN 863 - PUNCTURE TEST

EN 1103 - RESISTANCE TO IGNITION

EN 1149-1 - SURFACE RESISTIVITY

EN 1149-2 - ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY THROUGH A MATERIAL

prEN 532 - LIMITED FLAME SPREAD TEST

EN 530 ABRASION TEST METHOD

"Determination of the Abrasion Resistance of Protective Clothing"

Explanation of Test Method:

The material is abraded using a set abradant under a known force. The resistance to abrasion is defined by the number of cycles to breakdown. This can be by visual inspection or other investigative techniques such as pressure drop or hydrostatic head can be used for a more rigorous examination of the sample.

Abrasion Resistance Defined:

This test provides a measure of durability related to overall wear. Film laminate materials do not perform as well as elastomeric materials with respect to abrasion due to the differing nature of their polymer matrixes. The tight, highly chemically protective rigid matrix of a laminate product cannot resist abrasion as well as the more giving, durable less chemically protective matrix of an elastomeric product.

It must also be understood that the abrasion resistance of a disposable material need not be any where near as large as a repeatedly used material as the intended life span of the products is widely different.

EN 863 - PUNCTURE TEST METHOD

  "Determination of Resistance to Puncture of Protective Clothing"

Explanation of Test Method:

A material sample is clamped between rings and subjected to contact from a spike moving at a constant rate of 100 +/- 10 millimeters per minute. The force needed for the spike to penetrate the sample is recorded. If the spike has not penetrated after a movement of 25mm the test is aborted.

Puncture Defined:

The force needed to puncture a material, such as when in direct perpendicular contact with a sharp object such as a nail or a bolt. Tear strength is measured in units of force (N). A much more realistic test of the physical properties of a garment is the Trapezoidal Tear test where the resistance to tear upon puncture from a nail or bolt type object is determined and the direction of the puncture is irrelevant. This is much more representative of catching a garment on such an object.

EN 1103 RESISTANCE TO IGNITION TEST METHOD

"Textiles Burning Behaviour - Determination of the Burning Behavior of Fabrics for Apparel. Resistance to Ignition."

Explanation of Test Method:

The test material is passed through a flame of a bunsen burner at a steady speed. Once the material

has passed through, the length of time the material continues to burn (if it ignited at all) is recorded.

Used to determine the flammability of fabrics designed for uses outside of flame protection.

Two types of fabrics that can be evaluated with this test method.

1) Flame Resistance - Materials that are inherently resistant to ignition from heat of flames based on their composition. Examples: Nomex, PBI Kevlar

2) Flame Retardant - Materials typically treated to self-extinguish after ignition.

Examples: Tempro.

EN 1149-1 TEST METHOD FOR SURFACE RESISTIVITY

"Electrostatic properties- Surface Resistivity"

Explanation of Test Method:

A test specimen is cut no bigger than the dimensions of the base plate and no smaller than dimensions of the electrodes of the ohmmeter. The specimen is then placed on the base plate with the surface being tested face up. Electrodes are connected to the specimen and a potential of 95 to 105 V is applied for 14 to 16 seconds and the resistance is determined using the ohmmeter.

Surface Resistivity Defined:

The electrical resistance through the surface of a material (in ohms) determined by using specified electrodes.

EN 1149-2 TEST METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THROUGH A MATERIAL

"Determination of Vertical Resistance Through a Material"

Explanation of Test method:

The material being tested is placed on a base plate and two electrodes are attached to the material a set distance apart. An electric current is then sent thought the fabric and the resistance the fabric provides is measured in ohms.

Vertical Resistance Defined:

The electrical resistance through a material (in ohms) determined by using specified electrodes.

prEN 532 LIMITED FLAME TEST METHOD

"Clothing for Protection Against Heat and Flame- Method of test for limited flame spread"

Explanation of Test Method:

The test specimen is positioned vertically on the specimen holder. A flame is applied for 10 s at the bottom of the specimen and then removed. A pass or fail is given according to: afterflame, afterflame time, afterglow, afterglow time, flaming debris, molten debris, char length, and any holes produced on the specimen.

Definitions:

afterflame- Persistence of flaming of material under the specified test conditions, after the ignition source has been removed.

afterflame time- The length of time for which a material continues to flame, under the specified test conditions, after the ignition source has been removed.

afterglow- Persistence of glowing combustion of a material under specified test conditions, after flaming has ceased or removal of ignition source.

afterglow time- The time for which a material continues to afterglow after flaming has ceased or the removal of the ignition source.

flaming debris- Material separating from the specimen during the test procedure and falling below the lower edge of the test specimen continuing to flame as it falls.

molten debris- Molten material separating from the specimen during the test procedure and falling below the lower edge of the test specimen without flaming.