ISO 13938 Textiles - Bursting Properties of Fabrics

The “ISO 13938 Textiles - Bursting properties of fabrics” standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) consists of the following subsections published under the same title:

• The standard "ISO 13938-1 Part 1: Hydraulic method for determining bursting strength and bursting stress" describes a hydraulic method for determining the bursting strength and bursting stress of textile fabrics. In this standard, hydraulic pressure is applied using a constant-speed pumping device.

This method is applicable to knitted, woven, nonwoven, and laminated fabrics. It may also be suitable for fabrics produced using other techniques. The test is suitable for test samples in the conditioned or wet state.

Based on available data, no significant difference is observed in burst strength results obtained using hydraulic or pneumatic burst testers at pressures up to 800 kPa. This pressure range covers most of the performance levels expected of general apparel. For special textiles requiring higher burst pressures, hydraulic devices are more suitable.

In principle, a test specimen is compressed against an expanding diaphragm by a circular compression ring. Increasing fluid pressure is applied to the underside of the diaphragm, stretching the diaphragm and the fabric. The fluid volume is increased at a constant rate per unit time until the specimen bursts. Bursting strength and bursting stress are determined.

Samples are selected in accordance with the procedure specified in the material specification for the fabric or as agreed upon between the parties involved. In the absence of a suitable material specification, an example of a suitable sampling procedure is provided in Appendix A. Folded or creased areas, edges, and areas that are not representative of the fabric should be avoided.

Briefly, this standard describes a hydraulic method for determining the bursting strength (the maximum pressure a fabric can withstand before breaking) and bursting stress (the degree of deformation before bursting) of textile fabrics. This method involves applying hydraulic pressure at a constant rate using a pump device until the sample bursts. This method is applicable to a wide variety of fabrics, including woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics. This method excludes pneumatic methods and is not applicable to very thick or stiff materials where compression could cause problems.

This standard is widely used in the textile and apparel industry for quality control, product specification, and conformity testing. It helps manufacturers ensure that fabrics meet the performance requirements for applications such as apparel, upholstery, and technical textiles. Test equipment conforming to this standard often includes load cells for precise measurements.

• The standard “ISO 13938-2 Part 2: Pneumatic method for the determination of bursting strength and bursting stress” describes a pneumatic pressure method for determining the bursting strength and bursting stress of textile fabrics.

This method is applicable to knitted, woven, nonwoven, and laminated fabrics. It may also be suitable for fabrics produced using other techniques. The test is suitable for test samples in the conditioned or wet state.

Based on available data, no significant difference is observed in burst strength results obtained using hydraulic or pneumatic burst testers at pressures up to 800 kPa. This pressure range covers most of the performance levels expected of general apparel. Hydraulic devices are more suitable for special textiles requiring higher burst pressures.

In principle, a test specimen is compressed against an expanding diaphragm by a circular compression ring. Increasing air pressure is applied to the underside of the diaphragm, stretching the diaphragm and the fabric. The pressure is gradually increased until the specimen bursts. Bursting strength and bursting stress are determined.

Samples are selected in accordance with the procedure specified in the material specification for the fabric or as agreed upon between the parties involved. In the absence of a suitable material specification, an example of a suitable sampling procedure is given in Appendix A.

This standard describes a pneumatic method for determining the bursting strength (the maximum pressure a fabric can withstand before rupture) and bursting stress (the degree of deformation before bursting) of textile fabrics. It uses compressed air to apply pressure at a constant rate until the sample bursts. This method is applicable to a wide variety of fabrics, including woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics. This method excludes hydraulic methods and may not be suitable for very thick, stiff, or highly extensible materials where compression or pressure application is problematic.

This standard is widely used in the textile and apparel industry for quality control, product development, and conformity testing. It ensures that fabrics meet durability and performance requirements for applications such as apparel, upholstery, and technical textiles. Pneumatic testing is often preferred due to its speed and suitability for automated testing systems.

• ISO 13938-4 Part 4: Determination of burning rate under ambient conditions describes a method for determining the burning rate of propellants and black powders under ambient conditions. This method is valid for propellants and black powders with grain sizes up to 8 mm in their original form.

For the purposes of this standard, burning rate refers to the rate at which the flame spreads through the sample along the groove.

In principle, the test sample is loaded into a trough and ignited at one end by a hot wire. The time it takes for the flame to spread through the trough is measured, and the burning rate is calculated.

The ISO 13938 series of standards is critical to the textile industry because it provides standardized methods for evaluating the bursting properties of fabrics, specifically bursting strength (the maximum pressure a fabric can withstand before rupturing) and bursting stress (the degree of deformation before bursting). These standards are essential for ensuring fabric quality, performance, and reliability in a variety of applications. The primary reasons for the importance of these standards are:

• Ensure consistent quality control: These standards offer uniform and repeatable methods (hydraulic and pneumatic, respectively) for testing fabric strength and stretch. This consistency allows manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers to reliably assess fabric performance, reducing variability in quality assessments. Furthermore, as an international standard, it facilitates fair trade and quality assurance in global textile supply chains by ensuring global comparability of test results.
• Evaluates fabric durability and performance: Bursting strength is a key indicator of a fabric's ability to withstand pressure or tension in real-world applications. These standards also apply to a wide variety of textiles, including woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics, making them versatile for a variety of industries.
• Supports product development and specification: Manufacturers use these standards to develop fabrics that meet specific performance requirements, such as high strength for safety equipment or flexibility for sportswear.

Consequently, the ISO 13938 series of standards is vital as it provides reliable and standardised methods for assessing the bursting properties of fabrics and ensuring quality, durability and safety in a variety of textile applications.

Our organization, which has been operating for many years and meticulously follows global developments in science and technology, employs a skilled team and extensive infrastructure to conduct testing, measurement, and analysis in a wide range of areas for businesses across all sectors. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the ISO 13938 Textiles - Bursting Properties of Fabrics standard.