The European standard "EN 22286 Rubber or plastic coated fabrics - Determination of roll properties" describes methods for determining the roll properties of rubber or plastic coated fabrics. This standard includes methods for determining the length, width, net mass, mass per unit area, and thickness of coated fabric rolls. A roll typically exceeds 10 meters in length. Rolls are not normally conditioned in the standard atmosphere, and therefore results may be affected by changes in moisture recovery resulting from changes in atmospheric conditions.
For the purposes of this standard, usable width refers to the width of a roll limited to the points where the coated fabric meets the specified requirements.
The table used to determine the length of a roll is a flat table at least 5 m long and at least as wide as the roll to be tested. Each longitudinal edge of the table should be marked with 1 m lengths, and at least one of these lengths, preferably at one end of the table, should be divided into 1 cm sections.
If necessary, the cut end of the roll is cut perpendicular to the warp (longitudinal) direction of the roll. This cutting should be the minimum necessary to achieve this. The cut end of the roll is aligned with the zero mark on the table, and the material is unrolled along the table without tension. When the table limit is reached, the back of the roll is marked on both edges by a suitable method, corresponding to a known section of length. The measured section is rewound. A portion of the unmeasured length is laid out, tension-free, and measured from the marked edges as before. This process is repeated until the end of the roll is reached, trimming it as before if necessary. The final length is measured to the nearest 5 cm.
As an alternative to this manual technique, any suitable mechanical, electromechanical, or photoelectric coated fabric length measurement method that provides results equivalent to those obtained with the above method can be used. In cases of disagreement, the above method shall be used. However, the above alternative measurement methods may not be suitable for fabrics with extensible coatings, such as those with knitted substrates.
The length of the roll is reported as the sum of all measurements in metres, rounded to the nearest 0,1 m.
Equipment used to determine the width of a roll includes:
The coated fabric is measured and recorded at 10-meter intervals, using a scale, with the fabric unrolled on a table and untensioned, to the nearest 5 mm. All width measurements must be made at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the roll. For rolls shorter than 20 meters, the width is measured at three points: near both ends of the roll and at the center.
The average of the recorded widths is calculated, and the resulting value is reported as the average usable width, to the nearest 0,005 meters. The minimum recorded usable width is also reported.
When determining the net mass and average mass per unit area of a piece, section, or roll, a weighing device with a calibrated scale and an accuracy of 0,10 percent full-scale deviation is used. The roll of material is placed in the center of the weighing device's pan or other supporting device. The roll and its support must not come into contact with other objects. The gross mass is determined and recorded.
The mass of the tube or mold onto which the roll of material is wound is determined and recorded, and this is subtracted from the gross mass. The resulting figure is recorded as the net mass. The length and width of the roll are determined. Following the procedures outlined above, the average mass per unit area is calculated in grams per square meter and rounded to the nearest 5 grams.
Any estimate of the average mass per unit area of the coated fabric derived from the total net mass of the roll and its known length and width may be inaccurate because the complete roll of coated fabric cannot normally be equilibrated in the standard atmosphere for heat treatment and testing. Such inaccuracies are due to excess or deficiencies in moisture recovered from the complete roll.
Net mass should be expressed in kilograms rounded to the nearest 0,10 kg. The average mass per unit area should be expressed in grams per square meter and rounded to the nearest 5 grams/m2.
When determining the mass per unit area of the sample, a balance with a precision of 0,005 g is used. The test piece should be square or circular and have an area of 100 plus/minus 1 cm2.
Three test pieces are cut from the sample, one centered, the other two symmetrically. The outer edges of these pieces should be 5 to 15 cm from the edges of the sample, along an end that forms a 45-degree angle with the length of the cylinder. The test pieces are dried to constant mass at a temperature between 60°C and 70°C, with a relative humidity not exceeding 10 percent. Air at 20°C and 65 percent relative humidity will have a relative humidity of approximately 5 percent when heated to between 60°C and 70°C at constant pressure. Higher temperatures may cause changes in some coatings. Test pieces are prepared according to the procedure described in ISO 2231. The test pieces are weighed to the nearest 0,005 g, and the mass per unit area is calculated in grams per square meter.
The mass per unit area is expressed in grams per square metre as the average of the calculated values and rounded to the nearest 5 g/m2.
This procedure is intended for use when a small sample is sent to a laboratory for testing. Unless the parties involved agree on the number of samples and their methods, the result is considered applicable to the sample, but not to the piece or lot from which the sample was taken. If this is done, each sample should be tested according to the procedure provided, and the results should be averaged to obtain the average mass per unit area (in grams per square meter).
Because the presence of residual solvent can cause shrinkage of test pieces cut during conditioning, the area should be checked immediately after conditioning and weighing. If this area differs from the area obtained in the original measurement, the latter value should be used in the calculation.
The EN 22286 standard is important because it defines how coated fabric samples should be prepared and visually assessed for quality control and conformity. This standard is considered important for the following reasons:
This standard helps manufacturers detect surface or coating defects early in the production process, reducing waste and ensuring product reliability.
As a result, the EN 22286 standard supports quality assurance, regulatory compliance and product performance, particularly in safety-critical and high-performance applications.
The EN 22286 standard replaces the standard “DIN 53352 Testing of artificial leather and similar sheet materials - Determination of mass per unit area”.
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