Designation: D1776/D1776M − 16

Standard Practice for

Conditioning and Testing Textiles1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1776/D1776M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope E337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psy-

1.1 This practice covers the conditioning and testing of chrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Tem-
textiles when conditioning is specified in a test method. peratures)
Because prior exposure of textiles to high or low humidity may 2.2 ISO Standard:
affect moisture pick-up equilibrium, a procedure also is given ISO 139 Textiles Standard Atmosphere for Conditioning and
for preconditioning the material when required. Testing3
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 3. Terminology
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3.1 For terminology related to conditioning see Terminol-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
ogy D4920.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 3.2 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
with the standard. accelerated conditioning, moisture content, moisture
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the equilibrium, moisture equilibrium for preconditioning, mois-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the ture equilibrium for testing, precondition, standard atmosphere
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- for preconditioning textiles, standard atmosphere for testing
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- textiles, uncertainty of (in) measurement.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.3 For definitions of other textile terms used in this
standard see Terminology D123.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 4. Summary of Practice
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles 4.1 Samples or specimens requiring preconditioning are
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing brought to relatively low moisture content in a specified
D885 Test Methods for Tire Cords, Tire Cord Fabrics, and atmosphere. Samples or specimens not requiring pre-
Industrial Filament Yarns Made from Manufactured conditioning are brought to moisture equilibrium (specific to
Organic-Base Fibers fiber-content) according to the standard atmospheres for testing
D4920 Terminology Relating to Conditioning, Chemical, textiles as shown in Table 1.
and Thermal Properties 4.2 Understanding of tolerance and uncertainty of measure-
D5867 Test Methods for Measurement of Physical Proper- ment has evolved since the creation of the original version of
ties of Raw Cotton by Cotton Classification Instruments this standard. Due to this new understanding, uncertainty of
D7269 Test Methods for Tensile Testing of Aramid Yarns measurement has been taken into account in determining
D7744 Test Methods for Tensile Testing of High Perfor- acceptable tolerances for the standard atmospheres for testing
mance Polyethylene Tapes textiles as shown in Table 1.

5. Significance and Use

1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.51 on Conditioning, Chemical and 5.1 The conditioning prescribed in this practice is designed
Thermal Properties. to obtain reproducible results on textiles and textile products.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016. Published January 2016. Originally Results of tests obtained on these materials under uncontrolled
approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D1776–15. DOI:
10.1520/D1776_D1776M-16. atmospheres may not be comparable with each other. In
2
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
3
Standards volume information, refer tot he standard’s Document summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd Street, 13th
the ASTM website. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D1776/D1776M − 16
TABLE 1 Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
PreconditioningA Temperature, Time (h),
Material Relative Humidity % ASTM Standard
Time (h), minimum °C [°F] minimum

Textiles, generalB 21 ± 2 [70 ± 4] 65 ± 5 D1776

Textiles, specificC
Cotton fiber classification and testing 4 21 ± 1 [70 ± 2] 65 ± 2 D1776, D5867

Tire cords:
Polyamide Not applicable 20 ± 2 [68 ± 4] 65 ± 5 16 D885
Polyester Not applicable 20 ± 2 [68 ± 4] 65 ± 5 2 D885
Rayon 20 ± 2 [68 ± 4] 65 ± 5 8

AramidD
Option 1 3 20 ± 2 [68 ± 4] 65 ± 5 14 D7269
Option 2 3 24 ± 2 [75 ± 4] 55 ± 5 14 D7269

High Performance Polyethylene Not applicable 20 ± 2 [68 ± 4] 65 ± 5 4 D7744

Glass fiber products: D618

Plastic applications 23 ± 2 [73 ± 4] 50 ± 5 D1776
Textile applications 21 ± 1 [70 ± 2] 65 ± 5 D1776

Nonwovens 23 ± 2 [73 ± 4] 50 ± 5 D1776

Plastics and electrical insulation 23 ± 2 [73 ± 4] 50 ± 5 D618

A
Preconditioning is an option and may be employed when samples are being brought to equilibrium moisture content from an extreme high or low moisture content.
B
Previous publications of this standard cited tolerances for general textiles without consideration of the uncertainty of measurement of the temperature and humidity
controllers or the measurement devices used in textile laboratories. Changes in ISO 139 broadened tolerances to account for the uncertainty of measurement of controller
and measurement devices have also been incorporated into the tolerances for the general textile category.
C
Specific textiles’ conditioning tolerances and their associated standards do not account for the uncertainty of measurement of controllers or devices.
D
Report the standard atmosphere used.

general, many of the physical properties of textiles and textile 6.5 Multiple Shelf Conditioning Rack,4,5 for spreading out
products are influenced by relative humidity and temperature in samples and specimens. See Fig. 1.
a manner that affects the results of the tests. To make reliable
comparisons among different textile materials and products, 7. Preparation of Test Apparatus and Calibration
and among different laboratories, it is necessary that standard 7.1 Verify the uncertainty of measurement of the tempera-
atmospheres be utilized during conditioning and testing. ture and relative humidity devices being used to produce
5.2 The documentation of standard atmospheres for precon- standard atmospheres and those recording temperature and
ditioning (if necessary), conditioning, testing settings and relative humidity in laboratories as this factor should be
tolerances, including the determination of the uncertainty of included in the tolerances prescribed in Table 1. It is recom-
measurement of temperature and relative humidity recording mended that devices with the smallest uncertainty of measure-
devices, may be necessary for laboratory accreditation. See ment be used. See Appendix X1 and Bibliography.
Appendix X1. 7.2 Set-up procedures for the preconditioning and condi-
tioning room or chamber from different manufacturers may
6. Apparatus vary. Prepare and verify calibration of the temperature and
6.1 Conditioning Room or Chamber, consisting of: relative humidity recording devices as directed in the manu-
6.1.1 Equipment for the generation of heated or cooled air, facturer’s instructions.
moisture, and air circulation with control devices to maintain 7.3 Verify calibration of the temperature and relative hu-
standard atmospheres for testing textiles throughout a labora- midity recording devices in the testing room as directed in the
tory space, room or chamber within the tolerances given in equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
Table 1. 7.3.1 The temperature and relative humidity indicated on
NOTE 1—Temperature and relative humidity recording devices used in the control point or on a recorder located away from the
a testing laboratory are separate ones from those cited in 6.1.1
6.2 Psychrometer, Ventilated by Aspiration, or a similar 4
Drawings of the passive conditioning rack may be obtained from the American
measuring device, which is accurate to 61°C [62°F], for
Association of Chemists and Colorists, P. O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park,
checking the recorded relative humidity, as directed in Test NC 27709-2215.
Method E337. 5
A suitable rapid conditioning system may be constructed in the laboratory. See
“Earnest, D. W., Advancements in USDA Cotton Classing Facilities, Proceedings
6.3 Preconditioning Cabinet, Room, or Space, equipped for 1996, Beltwide Cotton Conferences, pp. 1651–1654,” and “Knowiton, J. I., and
maintaining the standard atmosphere for preconditioning. Alldredge, R. K., A New Method for Accelerating Cotton Sample Conditioning in
Cotton Classing Offıces, Proceedings 1994, Beltwide Cotton Conferences, pp.
6.4 Balance, having a sensitivity of one part in 1000 of the 582–584.” Suitable self-contained rapid conditioning units are available from at
mass of the specimen. least two commercial sources.

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 D1776/D1776M − 16

FIG. 1 Multiple Shelf Conditioning Rack

specimen may not be representative of a localized condition at 8. Procedure

the specimen because of local effects or deficiency in circula- 8.1 Sample or Specimen Configuration for Preconditioning
tion of air that may take place in an enclosure or room. or Conditioning:
Tolerances at a controller usually must be smaller than those
8.1.1 All samples or specimens shall be exposed to the
required at the specimen.
applicable standard atmospheres in such a manner that the air
7.4 Determine the temperature and relative humidity of the will have free access to all surfaces of the textile.
air in the preconditioning cabinet if preconditioning is required 8.1.2 Fiber samples or specimens shall be in their loose or
(see 6.3), the conditioning room (see 6.1) and the testing room open state for conditioning.
as directed in Test Method E337. If necessary, adjust the 8.1.3 Yarns, threads and other light cordage shall be in skein
conditions to meet the specified limits for the standard atmo- form, unless otherwise specified in an applicable ASTM test
spheres for preconditioning, conditioning, and testing, as method or specification.
applicable. 8.1.4 Fabric samples or specimens shall be spread in a
7.4.1 If the standard atmosphere for testing is found to be single layer on the shelves of a conditioning rack.
out of tolerance, use the guidelines in Note 3 and Table 2 to
8.1.5 For test methods that require preconditioning or con-
establish the equalization time after adjustments have been
ditioning of samples before specimen preparation, a clothes
made and the required tolerances have been attained before any
line may be used to hang multiple samples, except in cases
further testing is conducted.
where stretching the textile material may affect certain testing
7.4.2 Make temperature and relative humidity measure-
parameters, in which case, samples should be placed on
ments in an atmosphere as close as possible to the specimen
conditioning rack shelves.
being conditioned or tested; however, it should not differ
significantly from the room monitoring systems. For large 8.2 Preconditioning:
conditioning rooms or testing laboratories, multiple sensors 8.2.1 For textile materials known to be sensitive to varia-
may be needed. tions in temperature or humidity, preconditioning samples or
specimens before exposing them to the selected standard
atmosphere for conditioning and testing may be required.
8.2.2 If preconditioning is required, place the samples or
TABLE 2 Recommended Textile Fabric Conditioning Times by specimens in the preconditioning cabinet (see 6.3) and keep
Fiber Source them in the standard atmosphere for preconditioning for a
Fiber Source
Minimum Conditioning specified period of time, or until they have attained moisture
Period, h
equilibrium for preconditioning.
Animal fibers (ex. wool, cashmere) and 8
regenerated proteins 8.2.3 If preconditioning is carried out in an oven, to ensure
Vegetable fibers (ex. cotton, flax) 6 that the material does not become moisture-free, it may be
Acetate 4 advisable to perform successive weighing of specimens at
Textiles from any fiber having moisture regain of 2
less than 5.0 % at 65 % relative humidity intervals of not less than 2 h until the change in mass does not
exceed 0.2 %.

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 D1776/D1776M − 16
8.2.3.1 If exposure to oven heat in preconditioning could not weighed to determine when moisture equilibrium has been reached.
have a detrimental effect on a physical attribute to be While such practice cannot be accepted in cases of dispute, it may be
sufficient in routine testing to expose the material to the standard
measured, lower the moisture level to exposure using the low atmosphere for testing for a reasonable period of time before specimens
end of the humidity range and room temperature which is 20 to are tested.
30°C [68 to 86°F] (see Note 3).
8.3.3 Textile material should be exposed to standard atmo-
8.2.4 Sufficient preconditioning usually can be achieved
sphere for testing according to type as follows or according to
after 4 h at 45 6 5°C [113 6 9°F] and 15 6 5 % relative
an applicable ASTM test method or specification.
humidity. Because the standard atmosphere for preconditioning
textiles covers a wide range of relative humidity, a close 8.3.3.1 Fabric—Samples or specimens should be laid flat in
approach to equilibrium is in general warranted only at the a single thickness on perforated shelves to allow for exposure
upper end of the relative humidity range. to freely moving air. The conditioning periods for textile
fabrics stated in Table 2 are approximate and apply only to
8.3 Conditioning: fabrics spread out in single thickness. Heavy fabrics may
8.3.1 After preconditioning, if required, transfer the samples require longer conditioning periods than those cited in Table 2.
or specimens to the conditioning room set at the standard If a fabric contains more than one fiber, it should be condi-
atmosphere for testing textiles according to material type tioned for the longest period for its components (for example,
selected from Table 1 for a specified time or until they attain condition 8 h for fabric blends containing wool or viscose).
moisture equilibrium for testing. 8.3.3.2 Fiber—Samples or specimens should be exposed in
NOTE 2—The rate for reaching moisture equilibrium may vary depend- their open or loose state.
ing on the temperature, relative humidity, fiber content, treatments, or 8.3.3.3 Yarns, Threads or Light Cordage—Samples or
condition of the material prior to preconditioning.
specimens should be exposed in skein form.
8.3.2 Moisture equilibrium is considered to be reached 8.3.3.4 Yarn Packages or Bobbins—Remain on packages or
when the change in mass of a specimen in successive weighing bobbins.
does not exceed 0.2 % of the mass of the specimen made in
intervals of not less than 2 h for specimens in a conditioning NOTE 4—Due to the density of yarn wound on packages or bobbins,
conditioning periods will be longer than those for fabrics.
space, room or chamber. When accelerated conditioning is
employed, the user may find that equilibrium is reached in 8.3.4 Test conditioned specimens in the standard atmo-
substantially shorter intervals, such as 2-10 min. In these cases, sphere for testing.
successive weighing of the specimen at intervals of 2 min may
be done to determine that the change in mass does not exceed 9. Keywords
0.2 %. 9.1 conditioning; humidity; preconditioning; temperature;
NOTE 3—It is recognized that in practice textile materials frequently are testing; textiles

APPENDIX

Nonmandatory Information

X1. EXPLANATION OF MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY

X1.1 Measurement Uncertainty, Form and Style for ASTM X1.1.2 (A22.2) It is neither appropriate for, nor the respon-
Standards,6 A22, pg. A-12, October 2013 sibility of, the test method to provide explicit values that a user
X1.1.1 (A22.1) Measurement uncertainty is an estimate of would quote as their estimate of uncertainty. Uncertainty
the magnitude of systematic and random measurement errors values must be based on data generated by a laboratory
that my be reported along with the measurement result. An reporting results using the test method.
uncertainty statement relates to a particular result obtained in a X1.1.3 (A22.3) A tolerance of 65 % for relative humidity
laboratory carrying out the test method, as opposed to precision reflects the current uncertainty commonly available for relative
and bias statements which are mandatory parts of the method humidity calibrations while maintaining an acceptable
itself and normally derived from an interlaboratory study tolerance/uncertainty ratio (TUR). In cases of a tighter toler-
conducted during development of the test method. ance on relative humidity, the user must investigate the TUR
and determine the acceptable risk of relative humidity mea-
surements being out of tolerance. The acceptable TUR is at the
6
Available on the ASTM website, www.astm.org discretion of the user.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), Technical (5) Metrology Concepts: Understanding Test Uncertainty Ratio (TUR),
Note 1297 (TN 1297), Guidelines for Evaluating and Expressing http://www.transcat.com/PDF/TUR.pdf
the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results, http:// (6) ILAC-G8:08/2009 Guidelines on the reporting of compliance with
physics.nist.gove/cuu/Uncertainty/basic.html specification, International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation,
(2) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide to the http://www.ilac.org/documents/ILAC_G8_08_2009.pdf
Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, U.S. version entitled (7) “Calibration Risk Analysis,”NCSL International (http://
American National Standard for Expressing Uncertainty in www.ncsli.org/)
Measurement, ANSI/NCSL 2540-2-1997, info@ansi.org (8) ASTM E1488 Guide for Statistical Procedures to use in Develop-
(3) ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, International vocabulary of metrology – ing and Applying Test Methods
Basic and general concepts and associated terms, info@ansi.org (9) ASTM Manual 7A, Manual on Presentation of Data and Control
(4) Handbook for the Application of ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006; NCSL Charts Analysis, Seventh Edition, ASTM Committee E11 on Qual-
International, Boulder, CO, 2009. ity and Statistics

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