NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.

Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

Designation: D 418 – 93

Standard Test Methods for

Testing Pile Yarn Floor Covering Construction1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 418; 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 Department of Defense.

´1 NOTE—This standard was corrected editorially in June 1993. The 1992 edition was incorrect. The current test methods
contained in the document will eventually be balloted as individual standards.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 These test methods cover the construction testing of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
machine-made woven, knitted, and tufted pile yarn floor D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles3
covering both before and after an adhesive back coating, which D 861 Practice for Use of the Tex System to Designate
bonds the pile yarn to the backing fabric, has been applied. Linear Density of Fibers, Yarn Intermediates, and Yarns3
1.2 This standard includes the following test methods: D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water4
Section D 1909 Table of Commercial Moisture Regains for Textile
Component Masses2 per Unit Area 8 Fibers3
Number of Binding Sites per Unit Length or Width of Floor Covering 16
Number of Binding Sites per Unit Length or Width of Pile Floor Cov- 21
E 122 Recommended Practice for Choice of Sample Size to
ering Estimate the Average Quality of a Lot or Process5
Pile Thickness—Level Pile 10 E 380 Standard for Metric Practice6
Pile Thickness—Multilevel Pile 11
Pile Yarn Length per Unit Length of Floor Covering 14
Pile Yarn Length per Unit Length of Floor Covering 20
3. Terminology
Pile Yarn Mass per Unit Area 9 3.1 Definitions:
Total Mass per Unit Area 7
Tuft and Yarn Length of Uncoated Floor Covering 18
3.1.1 back coating, n—in textiles, an adhesive-type sub-
Tuft Length 12 stance applied to the back of a fabric for such purposes as
Tuft Length 19 locking pile yarn tufts into a carpet backing, bonding a
Tuft Length for Level Loop Pile Floor Covering 15
Tuft Height 13
secondary backing to a primary backing, or increasing fabric
body or stiffness.
1.2.1 Specimen preparation procedures common to Sections 3.1.2 backing, n—for pile yarn floor covering, all materials
7-11 are presented in Annex A1, Preparing Specimens of in a pile yarn floor covering other than pile yarn.
Measured Area. Annex A2 and Annex A3 give examples of 3.1.3 backing fabric, n—in textiles, (1) a fabric into which
typical calculations for Sections 9-11. a pile yarn is inserted, or (2) a reinforcing layer adhered to the
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded reverse side of a fabric.
as the standard for all measurements except mass. The SI 3.1.3.1 Discussion—In woven and knitted pile yarn floor
(metric) values for all measurements except mass are provided coverings the backing fabric is created at the same time the pile
for information purposes only. yarn is bound to the backing fabric but in tufted pile yarn floor
1.4 This standard may involve the use of hazardous mate- coverings the backing fabric is made prior to the operation in
rials, operations and equipment. It is the responsibility of the which the pile yarn is fastened to the backing fabric.
user of this standard to establish appropriate safety practices 3.1.4 backing, primary, n—for tufted pile yarn floor cover-
and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations ing, the fabric through which the pile yarn is carried by needles
prior to use. to form tufts: the backing fabric.
3.1.5 backing, secondary, n—for pile yarn floor covering, a
1
material adhered to the backing fabric side of a pile yarn floor
These methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on Textiles
and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.21 on Pile Floor Coverings. covering.
Current edition approved May 12, 1993. Published August 1993. Originally
published as D 418 – 82. Last previous edition D 418 – 92.
2
The technically correct term “mass” is used throughout this standard in place of
3
“weight,” the term in common usage. The buoyancy effect of the displaced air is Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
4
considered negligible for the test methods in this standard, so that apparent mass and Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
5
mass are the same within the limits of precision and accuracy achieved (see section Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
6
3.4.1of E 380E 380). Excerpts appear in Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.

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

1
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
3.1.5.1 Discussion—The secondary backing may be a tex-
tile layer, a solid plastic layer, a rubber sponge, or an
elastomeric foam.
3.1.6 binding site, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, a place
at which the pile yarn is, or can be, bound to the backing fabric.
See Fig. 1.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—In any machine-made pile yarn floor
covering the binding sites occur in an orderly and repetitive
array at uniform intervals in both the lengthwise and widthwise
directions of the floor covering. The nature of the binding site
differs among woven, knitted, and tufted floor coverings. For
example, the binding site of a woven floor covering consists of
one or more filling shots under which the face yarn passes,
while the binding site of a tufted floor covering consists of the
section of backing fabric between two adjacent needle holes in
the lengthwise direction.
3.1.6.2 The number of pile yarn strands that can be fastened
at one binding site can vary from none to several, according to
design.
3.1.7 carpet, n—all textile floor coverings not designated as
rugs.
3.1.8 components, n—for pile yarn floor covering, the
individual yarn or fabric elements into which a pile yarn floor
covering can be dissected.
3.1.8.1 Discussion—The major components of uncoated
pile yarn floor covering are the pile yarn and the backing
fabric. For woven and knitted floor covering, the backing fabric
may be further dissected into component yarns.
3.1.9 dents per unit width, n—for woven pile yarn floor
covering, the number of binding sites per unit width; dents
being the reed spaces through which the warp yarns pass in the
loom or the metal strips in the reed which form these spaces.
3.1.10 direction, lengthwise, n—in textiles, the direction in
a machine-made fabric parallel to the direction of movement
the fabric followed in the manufacturing machine. (Syn.
machine direction and wrapwise.)
3.1.11 direction, widthwise, n—in textiles, the direction in a
machine-made fabric perpendicular to the direction of move-
ment the fabric followed in the manufacturing machine. (Syn.
cross machine direction, weftwise, and fillingwise.)
3.1.12 floor covering, n.—an essentially planar material,
having a relatively small thickness in comparison to its length
ad = cutpile tuft element
gj = loop pile tuft element
ab, cd, ef, gh, ij, jk = tuft legs
cd, ef = cut pike tuft leg pair
ij, jk = loop pile tuft leg pair, a loop
B = one binding site
FIG. 1 Cross Section of Tufted Pile Yarn Floor Covering
2
or width, which is laid on a floor to enhance the beauty,
comfort, and utility of the floor.
3.1.12.1 Discussion—It is customary to distinguish between
hard or resilient floor coverings and soft or textile floor
coverings. Textile floor coverings are further subdivided into
pile floor coverings and nonpile floor coverings such as braided
rugs or flat, nonwoven barb needlepunched felt. There are two
types of pile floor coverings: pile yarn and pile fiber. Typical
examples of pile fiber floor coverings are flocked floor cover-
ing and fork needlepunched nonwoven floor covering.
3.1.12.2 Textile floor coverings are also classified as carpets
or rugs.
3.1.13 floor covering, pile yarn, n.—a textile product in
which yarn or yarn segments are attached intermittently to a
backing fabric so as to project above the backing fabric to form
a pile; the yarn entering the backing fabric substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the backing fabric.
3.1.13.1 Pile yarn floor covering is distinguished from
flannel, fork needlepunched, and flocked products in that the
latter have a nap or pile formed of individual fibers rather than
of yarn.
3.1.13.2 Pile yarn upholstery fabrics are sometimes distin-
guishable from pile yarn floor covering only in that they having
backings that are not as stiff as for pile yarn floor covering.
3.1.14 gage, n—of tufted pile yarn floor covering, the
average distance between adjacent binding sites in the width-
wise direction.
3.1.15 gage, n—of a tufting machine, the average centerline
distance between the needles.
3.1.16 needles per unit width, n—for tufted pile yarn floor
covering, the number of binding sites per unit of floor covering
width; needles being the means of inserting the pile yarn into
the backing fabric.
3.1.17 pile, n—for pile yarn floor covering, the texture
surface composed of many tuft legs bound to a backing fabric
in an orderly and repetitive array.
3.1.17.1 Discussion—A particular floor covering may be all
cut pile, or all loop pile and in either case the pile may be of
essentially one pile level or multilevel. A particular floor
covering may also contain both cut pile areas and loop pile
areas which may be of the same pile level or different pile
levels. Areas of intermingled cut and loop pile or intermingled
high- and low-level pile may also occur.
3.1.18 pile, cut, n—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which the legs of any one tuft element are not connected to the
legs of any other tuft element.
3.1.19 pile, level, n—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which all tuft legs are of substantially the same length.
3.1.20 pile, loop, n—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which, for each loop, a tuft leg of one tuft element is connected
to a tuft leg of another tuft element at another binding site so
as to form a loop which projects above the backing fabric
between the binding sites of the connected tuft elements.
3.1.21 pile, multilevel, n—for pile yarn floor covering, pile
in which some tuft legs are substantially longer than others.
3.1.22 pile yarn, buried, n—for coated pile yarn floor
covering, that portion of the pile tuft elements which remains
after the tuft legs have been removed by shearing.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
3.1.22.1 Discussion—The buried pile yarn is composed of
the pile yarn in the backing and a short stubble of yarn
projecting above the backing.
3.1.23 pitch, n—for woven pile yarn floor covering, the
number of binding sites in 27 in. (686 mm) of width.
3.1.24 rug, n—a textile floor covering of limited area which
is complete in itself and is intended for use as a partial covering
of a floor or another floor covering.
3.1.25 tuft, n—in pile fabrics, those cut or uncut loops
which are attached to the backing fabric at one binding site and
which form part of the fabric face.
3.1.25.1 Discussion—A tuft may consist of one or more tuft
elements.
3.1.26 tuft element, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, a
segment of yarn bound to a backing fabric at a binding site so
that two portions (legs) of the yarn project above the backing
fabric, one portion on each side of the binding site. See Fig. 1.
3.1.26.1 Discussion—In loop pile floor covering, the tuft
element extends from the midpoint of the loop on one side of
the binding site to the midpoint of the loop on the other side of
the binding site.
3.1.26.2 In most pile yarn floor coverings both legs of the
tuft element are immediately adjacent to the same binding site.
In some pile yarn floor coverings the yarn segment extends
from one leg past a number of binding sites before the second
leg of the tuft element projects above the backing fabric.
3.1.27 tuft height, n—for pile yarn floor covering, the length
of a tuft leg.
3.1.28 tuft leg, n—for pile yarn floor covering, one of the
two portions of a tuft element that project above the backing
fabric on the pile side of the floor covering. See Fig. 1.
3.1.29 tuft length, n—for pile yarn floor covering, the length
of a tuft element measured while extended in a straight line
under zero tension.
3.1.30 wires per unit length, n—for woven pile yarn floor
covering, the number of binding sites per unit of floor covering
length; wires in the widthwise direction being the usual means
of forming the pile.
3.1.31 For the definition of other textile terms used in these
methods, refer to Terminology D 123D 123.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The characteristics that can be determined by these test
methods are useful in quality and cost control during the
manufacture of pile yarn floor covering. Both appearance and
performance can be affected by changes in these characteris-
tics.
4.2 Although these test methods are useful for acceptance
testing of commercial shipments as the best available methods,
between-laboratory precision has not yet been determined. If
there is a disagreement arising from differences in values
reported by the purchaser and the supplier when using the
methods of this standard for acceptance testing, the statistical
bias, if any, between the laboratory of the purchaser and the
laboratory of the supplier should be determined with each
comparison of test results being based on adjacent test samples
cut from one shipping roll of the floor covering.
3
5. Sampling Units and Test Specimens
5.1 Sampling Units:
5.1.1 Uncoated Floor Covering—The basic sampling unit
of uncoated floor covering is a production roll.
5.1.2 Coated Floor Covering—The basic sampling unit of
coated floor covering is a shipping roll. The number of
shipping rolls obtained from each production roll ranges from
one to over ten.
5.2 Lot Sample—Take a lot sample as directed in Recom-
mended Practice E 122E 122 when statistical knowledge of the
product variability and test method precision is available, and
a decision has been made on the maximum deviation that can
be tolerated between the estimate to be made from the sample
and the result that would be obtained by measuring every
sampling unit of the lot. Otherwise the number of sampling
units in a lot sample and the use of the test results obtained
from the individual test samples shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer’s quality control program or with the specifica-
tion agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier.
5.3 A test sample shall consist of a full width section of floor
covering cut from one end of each roll in the lot sample and
shall be at least 100 mm (4 in.) longer than the specimens
required for the tests being conducted. Do not cut a test sample
of coated floor covering from a seam end of a production roll.
5.4 A test specimen is a designated area of a test sample that
may be marked on or cut from the test sample as directed in a
test method. For test samples 305 cm (120 in.) wide or wider,
three test specimens are required for a test method, one at each
edge no nearer to the edge than 5 % of the total floor covering
width and one in the middle portion of the test sample. For test
samples at least 152 cm (60 in.) wide but less than 305 cm, two
test specimens are required for a test method, one at each edge
no nearer to the edge than 5 % of the total floor covering width.
For test samples less than 152 cm wide, only one specimen, in
the middle of the width, is required for a test method.
5.5 Where it is known that systematic variations in a floor
covering characteristic may occur in bands 46 cm (18 in.) or
more in width, as with a modular pattern device having
separate controls or adjustments for each module, take test
specimens from the middle of each band.
5.6 When a full width test sample is not available, take
specimens as directed in 5.4 and state in the report the width
available and the number of test specimens taken.
5.7 A test result is the average of the measurements made on
a set of test specimens as described in 5.4, 5.5, or 5.6. In these
methods, directions are given only for obtaining a test result
from one test sample. The value representative of the lot being
sampled will be the average of the test results for all the test
samples in the lot sample.
6. Conditioning
6.1 When required, condition the test specimens or the test
sample in the standard atmosphere for testing textiles (21 6
1°C (70 6 2°F) at 65 6 2 % relative humidity) for 12 h or until
the mass changes no more than 0.1 % in 2 h.
7. Total Mass per Unit Area
7.1 Scope—This method applies to both uncoated and
coated floor covering.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
7.2 Summary of Method—The total mass per unit area is
determined by weighing test specimens of the measured area.
Test specimens are cut from a conditioned test sample and then
measured, or are cut from an unconditioned test sample and
then conditioned before measuring, so that the area of each test
specimen is measured after conditioning. Each conditioned test
specimen is weighed and the mass per unit area is calculated as
the ratio of the test specimen mass to the test specimen area.
7.3 Apparatus:
7.3.1 Balance, having a capacity and sensitivity to weigh to
the nearest 0.1 % of the test specimen mass or to the nearest
0.01 g, whichever is larger.
NOTE 1—Weighing to the nearest 0.1 % means weighing to the nearest
0.01 g for test specimens weighing 10 to 100 g, to the nearest 0.1 g for 100
to 1000 g, and to the nearest 1 g for more than 1000 g. A100-g, 254 by
254-mm (10.0 by 10.0-in.) test specimen has a mass per unit area of 1550
g/m2 (457 oz/yd2) while a 1000-g, 457 by 457-mm (18.0 by 18.0-in.) test
specimen has a mass per unit area of 4784 g/m2 (141.1 oz/yd2).
7.3.2 Means for Cutting and Measuring Test Specimens, as
directed for the procedure selected in Annex A1.
7.4 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens as directed
in Section 6 before measuring and weighing. For Annex A1
Procedures No. 2 and No. 3, condition the test sample before
cutting the test specimens.
7.5 Sample and Test Specimens:
7.5.1 Take the test sample and the test specimens as directed
in Section 5.
7.5.2 For level pile floor covering, the test specimens shall
be at least 254 by 254 mm (10.0 by 10.0 in.).
7.5.3 For multilevel pile floor covering the test specimens
shall comprise a full pattern repeat or a whole number multiple
of a full pattern repeat in each direction, but no less than as
directed in 7.5.2. If the pattern repeat is not known and cannot
be determined readily, use 457 by 457 mm (18.0 by 18.0 in.)
for the test specimen dimensions.
7.6 Procedure:
7.6.1 Preparation of Specimens—Follow the selected pro-
cedure of Annex A1.
7.6.2 Test Specimen Mass—Weigh each test specimen to the
nearest 0.1 % (or less) of the test specimen mass, M (see Note
1).
7.7 Calculation:
7.7.1 Test Specimen Total Mass per Unit Area—Calculate
the total mass per unit area for each test specimen to the nearest
0.3 g/m2 (0.01 oz/yd2) using Eq 1.
W 5 M 3 K/~B 3 L!
where:
W = total mass per unit area of the test specimen, g/m2
(oz/yd2),
M = mass of the test specimen, g (oz),
K = appropriate conversion factor in Table 1,
B = average width of the test specimen to the nearest 0.3
mm (0.01 in.), and
L = average length of the test specimen to the nearest 0.3
mm (0.01 in.).
D 418 – 93
TABLE 1 Conversion Factors for Mass per Unit Area
To
From
g/m2 oz/yd2
2
oz/in. 43 940 1296.0
oz/mm2 28.350 3 106 836 100
g/in.2 1550.0 45.72
g/mm2 106 29 490
NOTE 2—When the template or clicking die procedure of Annex A1 is
used, a standard area value of B 3 L may be used in place of values of B
and L determined by direct measurement of the specimens. Round this
standard area value to the nearest 65 mm2 (0.1 in.2).
7.7.2 Calculate the average total mass per unit area for all
test specimens of the test sample to the nearest 3 g/m2 (0.1
oz/yd2).
7.8 Report:
7.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Method D 418 for determining total mass per unit area.
Describe the material or product sampled and the method of
sampling used.
7.8.2 Report the average total mass per unit area.
7.9 Precision and Accuracy:
7.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining total mass per unit area is
being established.
7.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining total mass per unit area has no known bias and
may be used as a referee method.
8. Component Masses per Unit Area
8.1 Scope—This test method applies only to uncoated floor
covering.
8.2 Summary of Test Method—The test specimens used for
determining the total mass per unit area as directed in Section
7 are dissected into the component parts of the floor covering,
separating the pile yarn from the backing fabric and, if
required, separating the yarns composing the backing fabric
one from the other. Each component is weighed separately and
the component mass per unit area calculated for each compo-
nent as the ratio of the component mass to the test specimen
area.
8.3 Apparatus—Balance, having a capacity and sensitivity
to weigh each component to the nearest 0.1 % of the compo-
nent mass or to the nearest 0.01 g, whichever is the larger. See
Note 1.
8.4 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens as directed
in Section 6 before measuring.
(1) 8.5 Test Specimens—Use the test specimens prepared for
determining total mass per unit area as directed in Section 7 or
prepare test specimens as directed in 7.5 and 7.6.
8.6 Procedure:
8.6.1 Manually separate the pile yarn from the backing
fabric in each test specimen.
8.6.2 In the case of woven and knitted floor covering also
separate the backing yarns, if required.
8.6.3 Weigh each component to the nearest 0.1 % of the
component mass, M. See Note 1.
8.7 Calculation:
4
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
8.7.1 For each component calculate the component mass per 9.3.1 Balance, having a capacity and sensitivity such that
unit area for each test specimen to the nearest 0.3 g/m2 (0.01 weighings can be made to the nearest 0.1 % of the mass being
oz/yd2), using Eq 2. weighed or to the nearest 0.01 g, whichever is the larger. See
C 5 M 3 K/~B 3 L! (2) Note 1.
9.3.2 Shear or Clipper, capable of shearing close enough to
where: the backing so as to leave a stubble of approximately 1.3 mm
C = component mass per unit area for the test specimen, (0.05 in.).7
g/m2(oz/yd2), 9.3.3 Means for Cutting and Measuring Test Specimens, as
M = mass of the component removed from the test speci- directed for the procedure selected in Annex A1.
men, g (oz), 9.3.4 Means for Abrading Buried Pile Yarn in Solvent—
K = appropriate conversion factor in Table 1, Manual Method:
B = average width of the test specimen, mm (in.), and 9.3.4.1 16-Mesh Screen, with rim, approximately 200 mm
L = average length of the test specimen, mm (in.). (8 in.) in diameter.8
8.7.2 Calculate the average component mass per unit area 9.3.4.2 Shallow Pan, large enough to hold 16-mesh screen.
for each component to the nearest 3 g/m2 (0.1 oz/yd2) from the 9.3.4.3 Presser, having a flat, firm surface approximately 38
values of C obtained as directed in for all test specimens in the mm (1.5 in.) wide.
test sample. 9.3.5 Means for Abrading Buried Pile Yarn in Solvent—
8.8 Report: Mechanical Method:
8.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test 9.3.5.1 Container, polyethylene, approximately 150 mm (6
Methods D 418 for determining component masses per unit in.) square at top and 130 mm (5 in.) square at bottom and 180
area. Describe the material or product sampled and the method mm (7 in.) deep.
of sampling used. 9.3.5.2 Wire Mesh Screen Basket, 16-mesh, approximately
114 mm (4.5 in.) square at top and 100 mm (4 in.) square at
8.8.2 Report the average component mass per unit area for
bottom and 130 mm (5 in.) deep.
each component, using component names in common usage.
9.3.5.3 Spacer, polyethylene ring, approximately 130-mm
8.9 Precision and Bias: (5-in.) outside diameter and 50 mm (2 in.) high to fit the bottom
8.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test of the polyethylene container and support the screen basket.
Methods D 418 for determining component masses per unit 9.3.5.4 Laboratory Stirrer.9
area is being established. 9.3.5.5 Shallow Tray, of glass or plastic, resistant to solvent.
8.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for 9.3.6 Spatula.
determining component masses per unit area has no known 9.3.7 Tweezers.
bias and may be used as a referee method. 9.3.8 Laboratory Oven, set at 105°C (221°F).
9.3.9 Tea Strainer, or similar sieve.
9. Pile Yarn Mass per Unit Area 9.3.10 Wire Mesh Screen, 100-mesh, approximately 100 by
100 mm (4 by 4 in.).
9.1 Scope—This test method applies only to coated pile
9.3.11 Gloves, chemical-resistant.
yarn floor coverings.
9.3.12 Brush, steel.
9.2 Summary of Test Method—One or two strip specimens 9.3.13 Steam Table.
are taken as directed in 9.7.2 from each test specimen such that 9.4 Reagents—All technical grade unless otherwise speci-
the combined mass per unit area of the strip specimen(s) is fied.
within 1 % of the mass per unit area of the test specimen. The 9.4.1 Acetone.
total mass of the selected strip specimens taken from all test 9.4.2 Ammonium Thiocyanate, 70.
specimens of the test sample is designated M. Most of the pile 9.4.3 g-Butyrolactone.
is shear from the strip specimens and discarded, leaving 9.4.4 Chloroform.
stubble specimens whose total mass is designated S. The buried 9.4.5 m-Cresol, clear.
pile yarn in the stubble specimens along with adhering coating 9.4.6 Decalin.
material is manually removed from the backing fabric with the 9.4.7 Dimethylacetamide.
assistance of a solvent that dissolves or softens the coating 9.4.8 Dimethylformamide.
material. Most of the adhering coating material is removed 9.4.9 Formic Acid, 90 %.
from the fiber of this buried pile yarn by further soaking in 9.4.10 Hexafluoroisopropanol.
solvent and by abrasion. The total mass of this partially cleaned 9.4.11 Hydrochloric Acid, approximately 6 N. Carefully add
fiber from all the strip specimens is designated C. The amount 1 volume of concentrated hydrochloric acid (sp gr 1.19) to 1
of residual coating material on this fiber is determined by volume of water.
dissolving the partially cleaned pile fibers, leaving a residue of
coating material. The mass of the residue is designated R. The
mass of the pile yarn in the strip specimens equals the mass 7
Sunbeam Model 510 Clipmaster with EA-1 SUR bottom blade, or equivalent.
8
sheared from the strip specimens, (M − S), plus the mass of the Standard sieve screen, Tyler Screen Scale: 16 mesh, U.S. Standard Sieve Series:
1 mm.
pile yarn buried in the backing, (C − R). 9
Lightning Mixer Model F, RPM 0-1550, or equivalent, available from Mixing
9.3 Apparatus: Equipment Co., Rochester, NY.

5
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
9.4.12 Methyl Chloroform, aerosol grade.
9.4.13 Methylene Chloride.
9.4.14 Phenol, 88 %.
9.4.15 Sodium Hydroxide, 5 6 0.5. Dissolve the equivalent
of 5.0 g of reagent grade NaOH in water and dilute to 100 mL.
9.4.16 Tetrachloroethane.
9.4.17 Tetrahydrofuran.
9.4.18 Water, Type IV grade of reagent water conforming to
Specification D 1193D 1193.
9.4.19 Xylene, boiling point between 135 and 140°C (275
and 284°F).
9.5 Safety Precautions:
9.5.1 The reagents cited in 9.4 can cause damage to health
and property if not used with proper precautions. Some are
flammable. Some are corrosive. Some are known or suspected
to be toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, or otherwise
harmful to people. Table 2 lists the boiling point, flashpoint,
and the 1981 ACGIH Threshold Limit Values for each reagent.
The threshold limits are subject to change, and precautions
should be adjusted accordingly.
9.5.2 Use hoods, gloves, and safety goggles according to the
hazard presented by each reagent.
9.5.3 It is the responsibility of whoever uses this test method
to establish appropriate safety practices and to determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
9.6 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens and strip
specimens as directed in Section 6 before measuring and before
weighing.
9.7 Specimens:
9.7.1 Test Specimens:
9.7.1.1 The number and location of the test specimens shall
be as directed in Section 5.
NOTE 3—Before selecting test specimens, examine the back of the test
sample for signs of variation in the amount of back coating. As far as
possible, take test specimens at locations having neither high nor low
amounts of back coating.
9.7.1.2 For level pile floor covering, the test specimens shall
be at least 254 by 317 mm (10.0 by 12.5 in.).
9.7.1.3 For multilevel pile floor covering, the test specimens
shall comprise a full pattern repeat or a whole number multiple
of a full pattern repeat in each direction, but no less than as
directed in 9.7.1.2. If the pattern repeat is not known and
cannot be determined readily, use test specimens at least 457
by 457 mm (18.0 by 18.0 in.) in size.
9.7.2 Strip Specimens:
9.7.2.1 Strip specimens shall be 254 mm (10.0 in.) in the
lengthwise direction and 64 mm (2.5 in.) in the widthwise
direction.
9.7.2.2 Take one strip specimen from each test specimen for
routine quality control and acceptance testing.

TABLE 2 Reagent Hazard CharacteristicsA

Reagent Characteristics

Flash Exposure Limits,

Boiling TWAD Dominant
Common Name Formal NameB NumberB Point,C
Point,C °C (°F) Hazard(s)E,F,G
°C (°F) ppm mg/m 3

Acetone 2-propanone 67-64-1 56 (133) −17 (1.4) 1000 2400 e, f

g Butyrolactone 2(3H)-furanone, dihydro- 96-48-0 204 (399) 98 (209) ... ... i
Ammonium thiocyanate thiocyanic acid, ammonium salt 1762-94-4 170 (338) ...(...) ... ... d
(decomposes)
Chloroform methane, trichloro- 67-66-3 61 (142) ...(...) 10 50 a, c, h, t
m-Cresol phenol 3-methyl- 108-39-4 202 (396) 86 (187) 5 22 i, k, s
Decalin naphthalene, deca- hydro- 91-17-8 192 (378) 58 (136) ... ... i
Dimethylacetamide acetamide, N,N-dimethyl- 127-19-5 166 (331) 70 (158) 10 35 h, s, t
Dimethylformamide formamide, N,N-dimethyl- 68-12-2 153 (307) 58 (136) 10 30 g, i, s, t
Formic acid formic acid 64-18-6 108 (226) 85 (185) 5 9 i, k
Hexafluoroisopropanol 2-propanol,1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro- 920-66-1 58 (137) ...(...) ... ... c, vk, m, t
Hydrochloric acid hydrochloric acid 7647-01-0 109 (228) ...(...) 5 7 i, k
Methyl chloroform ethane,1,1,1-trichloro- 71-55-6 74 (165) ...(...) 350 1900 a, h
Methylene chloride methane, dichloro- 75-09-2 40 (104) ...(...) 100 360 a, h, z
Phenol phenol 108-95-2 182 (359) 79 (174) 5 19 g, i, k, s
Sodium hydroxide sodium hydroxide 1310-73-2 102 (216) ...(...) ... 2 i, k
Tetrachloroethane ethane,1,1,2,2-tetrachloro- 79-34-5 146 (295) ...(...) 5 35 a, g, h, s
Tetrahydrofuran furan, tetrahydro- 109-99-9 66 (151) −14 (6) 200 590 c, e, f, m, t
Xylene benzene, dimethyl- 1330-20-7 139 (282) 29 (84) 100 435 f
A
The information in this table is provided to alert users to the hazards accompanying the use of these reagents. Each user must make his own decisions regarding the
kind and extent of risk involved and what protective measures to enforce.
B
Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Substance Inventory, Initial Inventory (May 1979), Vol 1.
C
Approximate values from various sources.
D
ACGIH-TLVsT Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in Workroom Air adopted by ACGIH for 1981. TWA = time weighted average.
E
This listing of dominant hazards is indicative, not exhaustive. Suspected as well as confirmed hazards are included in some cases.
F
Legend:
a = anesthetic, narcotic i = irritating
c = carcinogenic k = corrosive
d = forms cyanide fumes on decomposition or contact with acids m = mutagenic
e = explosive s = skin penetrating
f = flammable t = teratogenic, embryotoxic
g = gastrointestinal v = very
h = hepatoxic-liver z = carbon monoxide in blood
G
Sources include: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values, Fourth Edition 1980, ACGIH, Cincinnati, Ohio.

6
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
9.7.2.3 Take two strip specimens from each test specimen
for referee testing, and for acceptance testing when the pile
yarn mass per unit area is close to a minimum standard to be
met or exceeded.
NOTE 4—Two strip specimens may be taken from each test specimen
either as a pair at the same time or as directed in 9.7.2.2 on two separate
occasions. In the latter case, two sets of analyses are performed but the
masses obtained from each set, at each stage of the analysis, are combined
as though the two strip specimens had been taken as a pair.
9.8 Procedure:
9.8.1 Preparation of Specimens—Follow the selected pro-
cedure in Annex A1.
9.8.1.1 Combination templates or clicking dies may be used
to cut the strip specimens together with the test specimens.
When a standard size test specimen template or clicking die is
used on multilevel pile floor covering, the template or die may
be designed to cut as many strip specimens from the test
specimen as possible to provide extra strip specimens, if
needed.
9.8.1.2 For floor coverings having gages 8 mm (5⁄16 in.) or
greater and essentially straight lengthwise lines of binding sites
(less than one-half gage lateral deviation from a straight line),
angle the 254-mm (10-in.) specimen dimension approximately
0.24 rad (14°) to the lengthwise direction of the floor covering.
The diagonal of the 64 by 254-mm (2.5 by 10.0-in.) specimen
has this angle to the 254-mm (10-in.) side.
NOTE 5—With coarse gages and straight lengthwise lines of binding
sites it is possible to lose a whole row of tufts by a small lateral shift in
the location of the strip specimen location when the long dimension is
parallel to the line of binding sites. Angling the strip specimen avoids this
problem.
9.8.2 Equivalent Mass for s Strip Specimens:
9.8.2.1 Determine the total mass per unit area of each test
specimen as directed in Section 7. Convert this to an equivalent
mass for s strip specimens in grams using Eq 3.
Ei 5 AsWi /K (3)
where:
i = numerical designation of an individual test specimen
(1, 2, . . . n; where n = number of test specimens),
Ei = equivalent mass of the s strip specimen(s) for the ith
test specimen, g,
A = nominal area of one strip specimen, 16 000 mm2 (25
in.2),
s = number of strip specimens taken from each test
specimen, 1 or 2,
Wi = total mass per unit area of the ith test specimen, g/m2
(oz/yd2), and
K = appropriate conversion factor from Table 1, convert-
ing g/mm2 (g/in.2) to the units of Wi.
9.8.2.2 Calculate 1 % limiting values for acceptable masses
for s strip specimens using Eq 4 and 5.
Upper Limit 5 1.01Ei (4)
Lower Limit 5 0.99Ei (5)
9.8.3 Strip Specimen Selection—Weigh the strip speci-
men(s) from each test specimen to the nearest 0.01 g. Select s
strip specimen(s) from each test specimen whose combined
7
mass is between the upper and lower 1 % limiting values
calculated in 9.8.2.2 for that test specimen. Cut additional strip
specimens, if necessary. Record the total mass of all selected
strip specimens from all test specimens as M.
9.8.4 Stubble Specimens:
9.8.4.1 Shear the pile yarn on the selected strip specimens
down to a stubble of approximately 1.3 mm (0.05 in.),
removing and discarding all loose pile fiber.
NOTE 6—In shearing, avoid including in the pile fiber any removed
back coating projections and fiber from fiber layers needle-punched into
the backing fabric of tufted floor covering. Stop shearing before this
occurs even if the pile stubble has not been reduced to 1.3 mm (0.05 in.).
In subsequent steps, care must be exercised to keep the layer fiber separate
from the pile fiber.
9.8.4.2 Weigh all the stubble specimens from all test speci-
mens together to the nearest 0.01 g and record as the stubble
specimen mass, S.
NOTE 7—When separate pile yarn mass per unit area estimates are
required for individual test specimens, weigh the stubble specimen(s)
from each test specimen separately and conduct the subsequent steps of
the procedure treating the stubble specimens from each test specimen
separately. When individual stubble specimen weighings are required, as
for the pile thickness determination on multilevel pile yarn floor covering,
add the masses obtained for all stubble specimens together to obtain the
value of S.
9.8.5 Separation of Buried Pile Yarn from Backing—The
objective of this operation is to separate the buried pile yarn of
each selected stubble specimen from the backing fabric(s) and
some of the back coating materials. The steps to be followed
will vary with the type of floor covering construction: tufted,
woven, or knitted; the type of backing fabric: jute, woven
polypropylene, with or without needlepunched fiber, and non-
woven polypropylene; and the type of back coating: latex, hot
melt, polyurethane, poly(vinyl chloride), and rubber foam.
Variations of composition within each type of coating will
require variations in treatment, as well. Frequently used
procedures are detailed in 9.8.5.1-9.8.5.8.
9.8.5.1 First remove most of any attached cushion manually
by slicing with a knife and by abrasion with the steel brush,
taking care not to remove pile fiber from the yarn in the
backing.
9.8.5.2 Remove the backcoating material as directed in
9.8.5.3 for poly(vinyl chloride) coatings, 9.8.5.4 for hot melt
coatings, and 9.8.5.5 for latex coatings. See 9.5 and Table 2 for
safety precaution information.
9.8.5.3 Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Coatings—Remove poly(vinyl
chloride) coatings by placing the stubble specimen in a beaker
containing tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. Use a spatula
to scrape off the softened PVC coating. Proceed to 9.8.5.8.
9.8.5.4 Hot Melt Coatings—Remove hot melt coatings with
methyl chloroform; warm as necessary. If there is a secondary
backing, proceed to 9.8.5.6, otherwise to 9.8.5.7 and 9.8.5.8.
9.8.5.5 Latex Coatings—Soften the latex in latex coated
tufted floor covering by placing the stubble specimen in
chloroform, methyl chloroform or methylene chloride for
approximately 10 min at room temperature. Proceed to 9.8.5.6-
9.8.5.8.
NOTE 8—A woven polypropylene primary backing often can be
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
stripped from the rest of the backing of a tufted floor covering with little
or no solvent treatment.
9.8.5.6 Peel the secondary backing from the primary back-
ing, repeating the solvent immersion, if necessary.
9.8.5.7 Scrape buried yarn, together with any coating mate-
rial adhering to the yarn from the primary backing or the
secondary backing, or both, with a spatula. Tweezers may be
necessary in some instances.
9.8.5.8 Accumulate the separated buried pile yarn in a
beaker and cover it with solvent. Combine the buried yarn from
all of the selected stubble specimens for the remaining steps of
the procedure.
9.8.6 Cleaning of Buried Pile Yarn—Remove the back
coating material from the buried pile yarn by immersing the
yarn in the solvent and abrading the yarn. Two methods are
suggested.
9.8.6.1 Manual Method—After 10 to 60-min immersion in
solvent, place the buried yarn on the flat 16-mesh screen in the
flat tray and abrade the yarn by passing the rubbing with the
presser so as to force separated coating particles to pass
through the screen while retaining the opened buried yarn
fibers on the screen surface.
9.8.6.2 Mechanical Method—Place the buried pile yarn in
the 16-mesh screen basket and put the basket in the square
polyethylene container filled with solvent. Subject the yarn to
power stirring for approximately 30 min. The yarn should
circulate vertically while stirring. Adjust the amount of yarn
per batch as needed to obtain proper circulation.
9.8.6.3 Other Methods—As new back coatings are devel-
oped, other solvents and methods may be required to remove
the bulk of the back coating material from the fiber. The loss in
fiber mass shall be less than 0.1 % when the new method is
applied to fiber alone, without back coating.
9.8.6.4 Repeat the selected abrasion cleaning process until
the buried pile yarn has been separated into individual fibers
which are visually clean of coating particles. Periodically
transfer the fiber to cleaner solvent with the tea strainer or
sieve. Pour the spent solvent through the strainer to catch any
fiber remaining and discard the accumulated coating particles,
after inspecting to ensure no fiber adheres to them. Use 9.8.6.1
when 9.8.6.2 or 9.8.6.3 does not provide sufficient cleaning.
With some coating formulations, rice-like particles will persist
even after repeated abradings. When the quantity stabilizes,
proceed to the next step.
9.8.6.5 Rinse fiber with solvent and allow most of the
solvent to evaporate from the fiber in a hood either at room
temperature or on a steam table.
NOTE 9—This step is not necessary if a properly ventilated explosion-
proof oven is used for the next step.
9.8.6.6 Place the rinsed fiber (substantially free of solvent)
on a heat-resistant surface in an oven at 105°C (221°F) for at
least 60 min to complete the solvent vaporization.
9.8.6.7 Check fiber for tackiness and subject the fiber to
further abrasive immersion if tackiness is found.
9.8.6.8 Condition tack-free fiber for at least 4 h in the
standard atmosphere of Section 6.
9.8.6.9 Weigh conditioned fiber to the nearest 0.01 g and
record as buried pile yarn mass, C.
9.8.7 Fiber Dissolving:
9.8.7.1 Select the appropriate fiber solvent and dissolving
conditions from Table 3. Place the cleaned fiber in a beaker and
cover with the selected solvent. Follow the specified dissolving
conditions. See 9.5 and Table 2 for safety precaution informa-
tion.
NOTE 10—As new back coatings are used in pile yarn floor covering, it
may be necessary to use special techniques involving other reagents to
accomplish the final separation of fiber from back coating materials. When
this is the case, test to determine whether the fiber-dissolving reagent, as
used, dissolves the back coating material appreciably. The loss in back
coating mass shall be less than 1 % when the fiber-dissolving solvent is
applied to back coating material in the absence of fiber.

TABLE 3 Solvents for Dissolving Pile FibersA

Fiber Type Solvent Procedure
Acrylic 70 % ammonium thiocyanate solution 15 min @ boil
g-butyrolactone 15 min @ 60°C (140°F)
dimethylacetamide 15 min @ 25°C (77°F), then bring to boil
dimethylformamide 15 min @ 25°C (77°F), then bring to boil

Modacrylic acetone 15 min @ 40 to 50°C (104 to 122°F)

g-butyrolactone 15 min @ 25°C (77°F)
dimethylformamide 15 min @ 25°C (77°F)

Nylon m-cresol 15 min @ 95°C (203°F)

formic acid, 90 % 15 min @ 25°C (77°F)
hydrochloric acid, 6N 15 min @ 25°C (77°F)

Polyester m-cresol 15 min @ boil

hexafluoroisopropanol 15 min @ 25°C (77°F)
equal parts of 88 % phenol and tetrachloroethane warm to 50°C (122°F), 15 min

Polypropylene xylene 15 min @ boil

decalin 15 min @ 135°C (275°F)

Wool sodium hydroxide, 5 % 15 min @ boil

A
Different varieties of the generic fiber types may respond differently to the same solvent. The best combination of solvent and dissolving conditions often must be found
by trial and error. As new back coatings are developed, new solvents and dissolving conditions may be required to avoid dissolving the back coating while dissolving the
fiber.

8
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
9.8.7.2 Collect the residue on the 100-mesh screen and rinse
with water for aqueous solvents and with acetone for organic
solvents.
9.8.7.3 Examine residue for presence of pile fibers and
subject the residue to the above dissolving procedure until all
sign of fiber is gone.
9.8.7.4 For nonaqueous solvents allow most of the solvent
to evaporate from the rinsed residue in a hood, either at room
temperature or on a steam table (see Note 9).
9.8.7.5 Place the residue in an oven at 105°C (221°F) for 60
min to remove the remaining solvent.
9.8.7.6 Condition dried residue for at least 4 h in the
standard atmosphere as directed in Section 6.
9.8.7.7 Weigh residue to the nearest 0.01 g and record as
coating residue, R.
9.9 Calculation:
9.9.1 Calculate the average pile yarn mass per unit area to
the nearest 3 g/m2 (0.1 oz/yd2) using Eq 6.
P 5 K~M – S 1 C – R!/A (6)
where:
P = average pile yarn mass per unit area, g/m2 (oz/yd2),
K = dimensional conversion factor from Table 1, convert-
ing from g/mm2 (g/in.2) to desired reporting units,
M = total mass of the selected strip specimens from all test
specimens, g,
S = total mass of all stubble specimens, g,
C = mass of cleaned buried yarn, g,
R = mass of coating residue, g, and
A = combined measured area of all strip specimens, mm2
(in.2).
NOTE 11—When separate estimates are required for individual test
specimens, record the mass of the strip specimen(s) selected from each
test specimen as Mi and obtain values of Si, Ci and Ri for each test
specimen as directed in Note 7. A value of the pile yarn mass per unit area
for each test specimen can then be calculated by substituting Mi, Si, Ci and
Ri for M, S, C and R, respectively, in Eq 6 and using the measured area of
the strip specimens of each test specimen for A.
9.9.2 An example of a typical calculation is presented in
Annex A2.
9.10 Report:
9.10.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining pile yarn mass per unit area.
Describe the material or product sampled and the method of
sampling used. Report the number of strip specimens taken
from each test specimen.
9.10.2 Report the average pile yarn mass per unit area.
9.11 Precision and Bias:
9.11.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining pile yarn mass per unit area is
being established.
9.11.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining pile yarn mass per unit area has no known bias and
may be used as a referee method.
10. Pile Thickness—Level Pile
10.1 Scope—This test method applies only to level pile
coated pile yarn floor covering.
9
10.2 Summary of Test Method—The total thickness of an
unsheared strip specimen is measured as the distance between
two parallel plates exerting a specified pressure on the speci-
men, T. The pile yarn of the strip specimen is sheared down to
a stubble. The backing thickness of the sheared strip specimen
is measured as the distance between two parallel plates
exerting a different specified pressure on the sheared specimen,
B. The difference (T − B) between the two measurements is the
pile thickness.
10.3 Apparatus:
10.3.1 Shear or Clipper, capable of shearing close enough
to the backing to leave a stubble of no more than 1.3 mm (0.05
in.),7
10.3.2 Thickness Measuring Instrument:
10.3.2.1 Having a stationary surface (plate) on which to
place the specimen and a presser foot capable of being moved
vertically above the plate, at least 25 mm (1 in.) from the plate.
10.3.2.2 Having two interchangeable presser feet; one 25.40
6 0.03 mm (1.000 6 0.001 in.) in diameter, the other 57.156
0.03 mm (2.250 6 0.001 in.) in diameter,
10.3.2.3 Having means for indicating the vertical distance
between the presser foot and the plate to the nearest 0.03 mm
(0.001 in.), and
10.3.2.4 Capable of developing and indicating a force up to
2.77 N (0.6 lbf) between the presser foot and the plate.10
10.4 Conditioning—Keep the strip specimens (or the test
specimens from which the strip specimens are cut) with the pile
free of all contact with other materials for at least 12 h before
measuring the thickness.
10.5 Specimens:
10.5.1 Test Specimens:
10.5.1.1 The number and location of the test specimens
shall be as directed in Section 5.
10.5.1.2 The test specimens shall be 254 mm (10.0 in.) in
the lengthwise direction by 317 mm (12.5 in.) in the widthwise
direction.
10.5.2 Strip Specimens—Use only one strip specimen from
each test specimen prepared and selected as directed in Section
9.
10.6 Procedure:
10.6.1 Total Thickness:
10.6.1.1 Attach the 57.15-mm (2.250-in.) presser foot
loosely to the movable stem or head of the instrument and
bring the presser foot into firm contact with the plate. Tighten
the presser foot on the stem.
10.6.1.2 Check the instrument zero by lowering the presser
foot into contact with the plate until the indicated pressure
increases to the pressure to be used in measuring the indicated
distance between the foot and the plate, which must then read
zero 60.03 mm (60.001 in.). If the reading is not within this
range, make an adjustment appropriate to the type of instru-
ment being used.
10
Schiefer Compressometer, available from Frazier Precision Instrument Co.
Inc., 210 Oakmont Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20760, or any of many CRE tensile
testing machines for textiles equipped with an appropriate load-measuring mecha-
nism. See Specification D 76, Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles, Annual Book of
ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
10.6.1.3 For each strip specimen, raise the presser foot and
center the specimen, pile up, on the plate under the foot. Lower
the presser foot slowly (take about 5 s to apply full load) onto
the pile surface until a pressure of 689 6 21 Pa (0.100 6 0.003
psi) is exerted on the specimen. Read the distance between the
presser foot and the plate to the nearest 0.03 mm (0.001 in.)
and record as the total thickness, T.
10.6.2 After measuring the total thickness, shear the pile on
each strip specimen down to a stubble measuring approxi-
mately 1.3 mm (0.05 in.).
NOTE 12—Both adhesive projections and a fiber layer needle punched
to the surface of the backing can interfere with shearing the pile down to
a stubble of 1.3 mm (0.05 in.). Therefore, a seven and one-half fold
increase in pressure in measuring the thickness of the stubble specimen is
used to level out minor variations in stubble height.
10.6.3 Backing Thickness:
10.6.3.1 Attach the 25.40-mm (1.000-in.) diameter presser
foot loosely to the stem and bring the presser foot into firm
contact with the plate. Tighten the presser foot on the stem.
10.6.3.2 Check the instrument zero as directed in 10.6.1.2.
10.6.3.3 For each stubble specimen, raise the presser foot
and center the specimen, stubble side up, on the plate. Lower
the presser foot onto the stubble surface until a pressure of
5170 6 69 Pa (0.756 0.01 lbf/in.2) is exerted on the specimen.
Read the distance between the presser foot and the plate to the
nearest 0.03 mm (0.001 in.) and record as the backing
thickness, B.
10.7 Calculation:
10.7.1 For each strip specimen calculate the pile thickness
using Eq 7.
P5T–B
where:
P = pile thickness, mm (in.),
T = average total thickness, mm (in.), and
B = average backing thickness, mm (in.).
10.7.2 Average the values of P obtained for all strip speci-
mens taken from the test sample and record to the nearest 0.3
mm (0.01 in.).
10.8 Report:
10.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining the pile thickness of level pile
floor covering. Describe the material or product sampled and
the method of sampling used.
10.8.2 Report the average pile thickness.
10.9 Precision and Bias:
10.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining the pile thickness of level pile
floor covering is being established.
10.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Methods D 418 for deter-
mining the pile thickness of level pile floor covering has no
known bias and may be used as a referee method.
11. Pile Thickness—Multilevel Pile
11.1 Scope—This test method applies only to multilevel pile
coated pile yarn floor covering.
11.2 Summary of Test Method—The thickness and mass are
measured on each selected strip specimen in the unsheared
condition and after removing approximately 25, 50, 75 % and
D 418 – 93
all of the pile down to a stubble by shearing. Net pile
thicknesses at the 25, 50, and 75 % levels are calculated by
subtracting the stubble specimen thickness from the thick-
nesses measured at each of the other stages. Net pile masses are
calculated by subtracting the mass of the stubble specimen
from the four other weighings. The 25, 50, and 75 % net
masses are expressed as a percent of the net pile mass of the
unsheared specimen and the 25, 50, and 75 % net thicknesses
are plotted against these net mass percentages. A smooth curve
is drawn through the three plotted points. The net pile thickness
corresponding to 50 % net mass is read from the smooth curve
and doubled to obtain the average pile thickness.
11.3 Apparatus:
11.3.1 Balance, capable of weighing to the nearest 0.01 g.
11.3.2 Shear or Clipper, capable of shearing close enough
to the backing so as to leave a stubble of no more than 1.3 mm
(0.05 in.).7,11
11.3.3 Means for Adjusting the Height of the Shear, such as
shims or mechanical mount for shearing head.11
11.3.4 Thickness Measuring Instrument—As specified in
10.3.2.
11.3.5 Graph Paper, with 2-mm (0.1-in.) divisions.
11.3.6 Drafting Curves, such as set of French curves or
flexible curve.12
11.4 Conditioning—Condition the strip specimens as di-
rected in Section 6 before testing, with the pile free of all
contact with other materials.
11.5 Sample and Specimens:
11.5.1 Test Specimens:
11.5.1.1 The number and location of the test specimens shall
be as directed in Section 5.
(7)
11.5.1.2 The test specimens shall comprise a full pattern
repeat or a whole number multiple of a full pattern repeat in
each direction but no less than 254 mm (10.0 in.) in the
lengthwise direction by 317 mm (12.5 in.) in the widthwise
direction. If the pattern repeat is not known and cannot be
determined readily, use 457 by 457 mm (18.0 by 18.0 in.) for
the test specimen dimensions.
11.5.2 Strip Specimens—Obtain two strip specimens from
each test specimen as directed in 9.7, 9.8.1, 9.8.2, and 9.8.3.
Determine the total mass of all the strip specimens to the
nearest 0.01 g and record as M0, where the subscript zero
indicates the strip specimens are unsheared.
11.6 Procedure:
11.6.1 Total Thickness—Measure the total thickness of each
strip specimen as directed in 10.6.1 at three-high pile locations
along the length of the strip specimen. Average the thickness
values found for all strip specimens and record the average as
T0 to the nearest 0.03 mm (0.001 in.).
11.6.2 Estimation of Shearing Levels:
11.6.2.1 Obtain an approximate value of h, the stubble
specimen thickness, from prior measurements of similar ma-
terials or by shearing a strip specimen from the same material.
Subtract h from the average of the thickness measurement
values T0 to get z, the approximate total pile thickness.
11
B & J Machinery Company FHA Shearing Machine, or equivalent.
12
Keuffel & Esser Co. 1864-60 will fit most plots.
10
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
11.6.2.2 Calculate target thicknesses to the nearest 0.3 mm
(0.01 in.) for removing 25, 50, and 75 % of the pile, using Eq
8-10.
t25 5 0.75z 1 h (8)
t50 5 0.5z 1 h (9)
t75 5 0.25z 1 h (10)
where:
t25, t50, t75 = target shearing thickness for 25, 50, and
75 % shearing, mm (in.),
z = T0 − h, mm (in.), and
h = approximate thickness of backing plus
stubble, mm (in.).
11.6.3 25 % Shearing:
11.6.3.1 Shear each strip specimen to a thickness of ap-
proximately t25. Remove all loose fibers from the specimens.
11.6.3.2 Measure the 25 % sheared strip specimen thickness
at three different locations as directed in 10.6.1. Average the
measurements for all strip specimens and record the average as
T1 to the nearest 0.03 mm (0.001 in.).
11.6.3.3 Determine the total mass of all the 25 % sheared
strip specimens and record to the nearest 0.01 g as M1.
11.6.4 50 % Shearing:
11.6.4.1 Shear each strip specimen to a thickness of ap-
proximately t50. Remove all loose fibers from the specimens.
11.6.4.2 Measure the 50 % sheared strip specimen thickness
at three different locations as directed in 10.6.1. Average the
measurements for all strip specimens and record the average as
T2 to the nearest 0.03 mm (0.001 in.).
11.6.4.3 Determine the total mass of all the 50 % sheared
strip specimens and record to the nearest 0.01 g as M2.
11.6.5 75 % Shearing:
11.6.5.1 Shear each strip specimen to a thickness of ap-
proximately t75. Remove all loose fibers from the specimens.
11.6.5.2 Measure the 75 % sheared strip specimen thickness
at three different locations as directed in 10.6.1. Average the
measurements for all strip specimens and record the average as
T3 to the nearest 0.03 mm (0.001 in.).
11.6.5.3 Determine the total mass of all the 75 % sheared
strip specimens and record to the nearest 0.01 g as M3.
11.6.6 Stubble Shearing:
11.6.6.1 Shear each strip specimen as close to the back as
possible (approximately 1.3 mm (0.05 in.)). Remove all loose
fibers from the specimens.
11.6.6.2 Measure the stubble specimen thickness at three
different locations as directed in 10.6.3. Average the measure-
ments for all strip specimens and record the average as T4 to
the nearest 0.03 mm (0.001 in.).
11.6.6.3 Determine the total mass of all the stubble speci-
mens and record to the nearest 0.01 g as M4.
11.7 Calculation:
11.7.1 Net Pile Thicknesses—Calculate the net average pile
thickness for all strip specimens at shearing levels 1, 2, and 3
using Eq 11.
Dk 5 T k – T4 (11)
11
where:
Dk = net average pile thickness of all strip specimens at the
indicated (k) shearing level, mm (in.),
Tk = average strip specimen thickness at shearing level, k,
mm (in.), and
T4 = average stubble specimen thickness, mm (in.).
11.7.2 Net Pile Masses—Calculate the net total pile mass at
each shearing level using Eq 12.
Nk 5 M k – M 4 (12)
where:
Nk = net total pile mass of all strip specimens at shearing
level k, g
Mk = total mass of all strip specimens at shearing level k, g,
and
M4 = total mass of all stubble specimens, g.
11.7.3 Net Pile Masses in Percent—Calculate the net total
pile masses as a percent of the unsheared net total pile mass at
shearing levels 1, 2 and 3 (25, 50, and 75 % respectively) using
Eq 13.
mk 5 100Nk/N0 (13)
where:
mk = net total pile mass at shearing level k as a percent of
N0, and
N0 = net total pile mass of all unsheared strip specimens, g.
11.7.4 Average Pile Thickness:
11.7.4.1 Plot D1, D2, and D3 versus m1, m2, and m3,
respectively, on graph paper. Draw a smooth curve through the
three points.
11.7.4.2 Read the net average pile thickness at m = 50 %
and double the value to obtain the average pile thickness.
Record to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.).
11.8 Report:
11.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining the pile thickness of multilevel
pile floor covering. Describe the material or product sampled
and the method of sampling used.
11.8.2 Report the average pile thickness.
11.9 Precision and Bias:
11.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining the pile thickness of multilevel
pile floor covering is being established.
11.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining the pile thickness of multilevel pile floor covering
has no known bias and may be used as a referee method.
12. Tuft Length
12.1 Scope:
12.1.1 This test method applies only to uncoated floor
covering.
12.1.2 This test method can be used for either cut or loop
pile floor covering made of yarns that retain their integrity after
being cut into segments.
12.1.3 Usually the tuft elements measured as directed in this
test method will each be bound at only one binding site, but the
test method may also be used for tuft elements bound at more
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
than one binding site, provided that every tuft element mea-
sured is bound at the same number of sites.
NOTE 13—For level loop pile floor covering, use the test method
described in Section 15.
12.2 Summary of Test Method:
12.2.1 Individual tuft elements of like character (cut or loop,
and height) are removed from a test specimen and placed, one
at a time, in a grooved yarn specimen holder that maintains the
tuft yarn in a straight line while the length of the tuft element
is measured with a graduated scale and a magnifying glass.
12.2.2 In loop pile floor covering, adjacent tuft elements are
first separated by cutting the connecting loops at the center of
the bend with sharp scissors before the tuft elements are
withdrawn from the backing fabric.
12.3 Apparatus:
12.3.1 Grooved Specimen Holders:
12.3.1.1 The length of the holder shall be at least 10 %
longer than the longest tuft element to be measured. A100-mm
(4-in.) length normally will be adequate.
12.3.1.2 The grooves shall have a V-shaped cross-section
with a 1.05 rad (60°) angle at the bottom and widths across the
top to accommodate several size yarns as follows:
Yarn Bulk Groove Widths,A mm (in.)
Coarse 4.6 (0.18)
Medium 3.3 (0.13)
Fine 2.0 (0.08)
A
Additional grooves of intermediate width also may be used.
12.3.2 Scale, at least a length of 100-mm (4-in.) graduated
in 2-mm (0.01-in.) divisions.
12.3.2.1 If the scale is not transparent, it shall be no thicker
than 1 mm (0.04 in.).
12.3.3 Cover Plate, clear, plastic or glass to be used when a
nontransparent scale is used.
12.3.4 Magnifying Glass, 23 to 53, mounted above the
holder to permit centering the glass immediately above the cut
ends of the tuft to avoid parallax in reading the scale.
12.3.5 Scissors, sharp.
12.4 Conditioning—If the fiber has a commercial moisture
regain of over 5 %, the tufts must be conditioned as directed in
Section 6 before measuring. Commercial moisture regains for
textile fibers are listed in Table D 1909D 1909.
12.5 Tuft Element Selection:
12.5.1 Select a total of ten tuft elements of like character
(either cut or loop, and of one height) from the floor covering
test specimens designated in 5.4. For three test specimens,
select four tuft elements from the middle test specimen and
three each from the two-side test specimens. For other numbers
of test specimens than three, similarly distribute the ten tuft
elements equally, or nearly equally, among the test specimens.
12.5.1.1 Select the tuft elements in each test specimen from
different rows of binding sites in both the lengthwise and the
widthwise directions.
12.5.2 For loop pile floor covering, separate the selected tuft
element from the two adjoining tuft elements on either side by
cutting, with scissors, each connecting loop midway between
the binding sites of the adjoining tuft elements and the selected
tuft element before removing the selected tuft element from the
backing fabric.
12
12.6 Procedure:
12.6.1 Select the groove appropriate to the tuft element yarn
diameter.
NOTE 14—The groove is of appropriate size if the bend in the middle of
the tuft element is substantially removed when the cover plate is placed
over the yarn in the groove (the groove is then small enough). The groove
is too small if the fibers of the tuft element spread beyond the edge of the
groove and hold the cover plate above the holder surface. A deflection of
the tuft element from straightness of as much as 1 mm (0.04 in.) will not
significantly affect the measured tuft length.
12.6.2 Place the extended tuft element in the groove.
12.6.2.1 If a clear graduated scale is used, cover the groove
with the graduations directly over the yarn in the groove.
12.6.2.2 If a nontransparent scale is used, place the scale
along one edge of the groove and the clear cover plate above
the groove abutting the scale.
12.6.3 Center the magnifying glass immediately above one
end of the tuft element to avoid parallax.
12.6.4 Read the graduated scale at one end of the tuft
element and record to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.).
12.6.4.1 If the tuft element is not cut squarely, select
visually a location midway between the extremes of the cut.
12.6.5 Without moving the scale repeat 12.6.3 and 12.6.4
for the other end of the tuft element.
12.6.6 Repeat 12.6.2-12.6.5 for the remaining tuft elements
taken from the test specimens.
12.7 Calculation:
12.7.1 Calculate the length of each tuft element by deter-
mining the difference between the two scale readings.
12.7.2 Average the lengths of each group of ten tuft ele-
ments of like character to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.).
12.8 Report:
12.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining tuft length. Describe the
material sampled and the method of sampling used. State
whether the tuft elements were removed from cut pile or loop
pile areas of the floor covering and, in the case of multilevel
floor covering, also state from which level of pile the tuft
elements were removed.
12.8.2 Report the average tuft length for each character of
tuft separately.
12.9 Precision and Bias:
12.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining tuft length is being established.
12.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining tuft length has no known bias and may be used as
a referee method.
13. Tuft Height
13.1 Scope—This test method applies to both cut and loop
coated pile yarn floor covering.
13.2 Summary of Test Method:
13.2.1 Individual tuft leg specimens of like character (either
cut or loop, and of one height) are cut off close to the surface
of the backing of a floor covering specimen and are placed, one
at a time, in a grooved specimen holder that maintains the tuft
yarn in a straight line while the length of the tuft leg is
measured with a graduated scale and a magnifying glass.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
13.2.2 In loop pile floor covering the two tuft legs forming
the loop are each severed at the backing surface from the
adjacent binding sites to provide a strand of twice the tuft
height.
13.3 Apparatus:
13.3.1 Means for Measuring Tuft Length, as directed in
12.3.1-12.3.4.
13.3.2 Means for Cutting Tufts at Base:
13.3.2.1 Angled Flush Wire Cutter, having blades about 10
mm (3⁄8 in.) long, angled 0.44 to 0.61 rad (25 to 35°) to the
plane of the handles, and ground flush so as to permit cutting
at the backing surface,13 or
13.3.2.2 Razor Knife or razor blade in a holder.
13.4 Conditioning—If the fiber has a commercial moisture
regain of over 5 %, the tufts must be conditioned as directed in
Section 6 before measuring. Commercial moisture regains for
textile fibers are listed in Table D 1909D 1909.
13.5 Tuft Leg Specimens:
13.5.1 Normally the tuft height measurement will be carried
out in conjunction with the measurement of the pile yarn mass
per unit area, and tuft leg specimens are cut from the strip
specimens of 9.8.3 after weighing.
13.5.2 Cut ten tuft legs, of each kind of tuft (cut, loop,
height) to be measured, from the selected strip specimens.
Choose the tuft legs so that a nearly equal number of tuft legs
of each kind is taken from each strip specimen.
13.5.3 When the tuft height is not measured in conjunction
with the determination of pile yarn mass per unit area,
distribute the tuft leg specimens uniformly over the test
specimens.
13.5.4 The number and location of the test specimen areas
shall be as directed in Section 5.
13.6 Procedure:
13.6.1 Sever the leg of each selected tuft leg or loop as close
to the backing surface as possible with the angled flush wire
cutter or razor cutter.
13.6.2 Follow the procedure of 12.6.1-12.6.6 reading “tuft
leg” for “tuft element.”
13.7 Calculation:
13.7.1 For each tuft leg determine the difference between
the two readings made in 13.6 to obtain the length of the
individual tuft legs.
13
Jensen Tools & Alloys Angled Flush Cutter Type GA65, Hunter Tools
(Marshall Industries) 20184, or equivalent.
13.7.2 Average the lengths of each group of ten tuft legs of
like character to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.).
13.7.3 For loop pile floor covering divide the average tuft
leg length obtained in 13.7.2 by 2 and record to the nearest 0.3
mm (0.01 in.).
13.8 Report:
13.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining tuft height. Describe the
material sampled and the method of sampling used. State
whether the tuft legs were removed from cut pile or loop pile
areas of the floor covering and, in the case of multilevel floor
covering, also state from which level of pile the tuft legs were
removed.
13.8.2 Report the average tuft leg length as tuft height for
each character of tuft separately.
13.8.2.1 For cut pile use the average calculated in 13.7.2
and for loop pile use the average calculated in 13.7.3.
13.9 Precision and Bias:
13.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining tuft height is being established.
13.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining tuft height has no known bias and may be used as
a referee method.
14. Pile Yarn Length per Unit Length of Floor Covering
14.1 Scope—This test method applies only to level loop
uncoated pile yarn floor covering.
14.2 Summary of Test Method—The lengths of pile yarns
removed from a measured length of floor covering are mea-
sured under a tension proportional to the yarn number. The pile
yarn length per unit length of floor covering is the average yarn
specimen length divided by the measured floor covering test
specimen length.
14.3 Apparatus:
14.3.1 Scale or Tape, metal, graduated in 1 mm (0.05 in.), at
least 10 % longer than the extended yarn specimen being
measured.
14.3.2 Stationary Clamp, to hold one end of the yarn.
14.3.3 Means for Applying a Known Tension to the yarn.
NOTE 15—Various means for applying a known tension are available
with the yarn in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. Typical
laboratory load-elongation yarn testing machines may be used or the
tension may be applied with a combination of weights or a spring “fish”

TABLE 4 Typical Tensions for Pile Yarn Length per Unit Length of Floor Covering (Section 14)
Tension Range Mid-Range Tensions
Cotton Count Tex
mNA gf mNA gf
0.8 738 6200 to 6900 630 to 700 6500 665
1.0 591 4950 to 5500 505 to 560 5200 530
1.2 492 4100 to 4550 420 to 465 4350 445
1.4 422 3550 to 3900 360 to 400 3750 380
1.6 369 3100 to 3450 315 to 350 3250 330
1.8 328 2750 to 3050 280 to 310 2900 295
2.0 295 2450 to 2750 250 to 280 2600 265
4.0 148 1250 to 1400 125 to 140 1300 135
A
1 mN = 9.807 gf.

13
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
scale having a range from 1250 to 7000 mN (125 to 700 gf).14 Small
spring binder clamps weighing 3 to 4 g can be used to attach the weights
to the specimen.
14.4 Test Specimens:
14.4.1 Cut floor covering test specimens and measure in the
lengthwise direction as directed in Section 7.
14.4.2 From each floor covering test specimen remove five
pile yarns. Take care not to overstretch the yarn. Discard and
replace any pile yarn which hangs up or catches during
removal.
14.5 Procedure:
14.5.1 Insert one end of a pile yarn in the stationary clamp.
The clamp should be within 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) of the end of the
yarn.
14.5.2 Clamp the other end of the yarn to the tensioning
means, also within 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) of the yarn end.
14.5.3 Apply 9.0 6 0.5 mN/tex (0.9 6 0.05 gf/tex) tension
to the yarn. Typical tensions required are given in Table 4.
14.5.3.1 If the yarn number is not known, apply a tension
just sufficient to remove any yarn crimp from the first yarn.
Measure the length in millimetres as directed in 14.5.4, and
weigh the yarn to the nearest 0.01 g. Calculate an estimate of
the yarn number using Eq 14.
t 5 1000m/q
where:
t = tex yarn number,
m = mass of yarn specimen, g, and
q = length of yarn specimen, mm (in.).
14.5.3.2 If the tension applied to this yarn falls within the
range given in Table 4 for the tex yarn number obtained, the
length obtained on this yarn specimen is a valid measurement.
Otherwise, the length of another yarn must be measured under
the tension specified in Table 4 for the tex yarn number
obtained.
14.5.4 Measure the length, Y, of the yarn, including the
portions in the clamps, with the graduated scale or tape, to the
nearest 1 mm (0.05 in.).
14.5.5 Repeat 14.5.1-14.5.4 for all yarns selected.
14.6 Calculation:
14.6.1 Average the pile yarn lengths from each test speci-
men to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.), Ȳ.
14.6.2 For each floor covering test specimen calculate the
pile yarn length per unit length to the nearest 0.01 mm/mm
(in./in.) using Eq 15.
R 5 Ȳ/L̄
where:
R = pile yarn length per unit length for the floor covering
specimen, mm/mm (in./in.),
Ȳ = average of the five yarn specimen lengths for the floor
covering specimen, mm (in.), and
L̄ = average length of the floor covering specimen.
14.6.3 Calculate the average pile yarn length per unit length
of floor covering, R̄, to the nearest 0.01 mm/mm (in./in.) from
14
The symbol gf denotes gram-force. One gf is the force exerted by a mass of
1 g under the pull of the earth’s gravity. An mN is one thousandth of a newton, the
SI metric unit of force. 1 gf = 9.807 mN.
D 418 – 93
the values of R obtained as directed in 14.6.1 for all test
specimens in the test sample.
14.7 Report:
14.7.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining pile yarn length per unit length
of floor covering. Describe the material sampled and the
method of sampling used.
14.7.2 Report the average pile yarn length per unit length of
floor covering.
14.8 Precision and Bias:
14.8.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418, for determining pile yarn length per unit
length of floor covering is being established.
14.8.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418, for
testing pile yarn length per unit length of floor covering has no
known bias and may be used for referee purposes.
15. Tuft Length for Level Loop Pile Floor Covering
15.1 Scope—This test method applies only to level loop
uncoated pile yarn floor covering.
15.2 Procedure—The pile yarn length per unit length of
floor covering is determined as directed in Section 14 and the
(14) number of binding sites per unit length of floor covering is
determined as directed in Section 16. The tuft length equals the
pile yarn length per unit length of floor covering divided by the
number of binding sites per unit length of floor covering.
15.3 Calculations—Calculate the tuft length to the nearest
0.3 mm (0.01 in.) using Eq 16.
T 5 R̄/N̄ (16)
where:
T = tuft length, mm (in.),
R̄ = average pile yarn length per unit length of floor
covering (see 14.6.2), and
N̄ = average number of binding sites per unit length of
floor covering (see 16.7.2).
15.4 Report:
15.4.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining tuft length for level loop pile
floor covering. Describe the material or product sampled and
the method of sampling used.
15.4.2 Report the tuft length.
15.5 Precision and Bias:
(15) 15.5.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining tuft length for level loop pile
floor covering is being established.
15.5.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining tuft length for level loop pile floor covering has no
known bias and may be used as a referee method.
16. Number of Binding Sites per Unit Length or Width
of Floor Covering
16.1 Scope—This test method applies to both uncoated and
coated floor covering.
16.2 Summary of Test Method—A graduated scale or tape is
placed on the floor covering and the length of floor covering
14
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
required for 40 binding sites is measured in either the length-
wise or the widthwise direction as required. The number of
binding sites per unit length is 40 divided by the measured
length.
16.3 Apparatus:
16.3.1 Shear or Clipper, capable of shearing close enough
to the backing so as to leave a stubble of no more than 1.3 mm
(0.05 in.).7
16.3.2 Scale or Tape, metal, graduated in 1 mm (0.05 in.),
and at least 10 % longer than the distance being measured.
16.3.3 Location Markers, two, such as straight pins.
16.4 Test Specimens:
16.4.1 The number and location of the test specimens shall
be as directed in Section 5.
16.4.2 The test specimens shall be large enough to include
44 binding sites in each direction.
16.4.3 The measurements of this test method may be made
on the test specimens without cutting the test specimens from
the test sample.
16.5 Conditioning—If the fiber in any layer of the backing
has a commercial moisture regain of over 5 %, the specimen
must be conditioned as directed in Section 6 before measuring.
Commercial moisture regains for textile fibers are listed in
Table D 1909D 1909.
16.6 Procedure:
16.6.1 Place the test specimen face down on a flat surface if
the binding sites are visible from the back. Otherwise, place the
test specimen back down and shear the pile close to the backing
so as to reveal the binding sites. Select a line of binding sites
in the direction to be counted.
NOTE 16—Handle uncoated floor covering so as to avoid distorting the
test specimen dimensions. Do not measure the number of binding sites of
coated floor covering after treating with reagents and removing the
secondary backing.
16.6.2 Select a distinguishing feature found at each binding
site.
NOTE 17—It is not necessary to precisely define the boundaries of a
binding site; only to use the same distinguishing feature in every binding
site being counted in a particular specimen. For tufted floor covering a
distinguishing feature is the needle hole separating two adjacent binding
sites. See Fig. 1. For woven floor covering it may be a filling yarn
appearing once on the back for every binding site.
16.6.3 Locate the zero point at this distinguishing feature of
one binding site with a marker.
16.6.4 Count 40 complete binding sites from this marker
and insert another marker at the distinguishing feature of the
40th site.
16.6.5 Measure the length, L, between the marked binding
sites with the graduated scale or tape, reading to the nearest 1.3
mm (0.05 in.).
16.6.6 Make one measurement on each of the test specimens
or specimen areas.
16.7 Calculation:
16.7.1 For each measurement calculate the number of bind-
ing sites per unit length or width of floor covering to the nearest
4 sites/m (0.1 site/in.) using Eq 17.
N 5 40/L (17)
15
where:
N = number of binding sites per unit length or width of
floor covering, and
L = length measured as directed in 16.6.5, mm (in.).
16.7.2 Calculate the average number of binding sites per
unit length or width of floor covering to the nearest 4 sites/m
(0.1 site/in.).
16.7.3 For woven floor covering calculate the pitch to the
nearest whole unit using Eq 18.
P 5 27 N̄ (18)
where:
P = pitch, binding sites per 27 in. of width, and
N̄ = average number of widthwise binding sites per inch of
width calculated as directed in 16.7.1 and 16.7.2.
If desired, calculate dents/m (dents/in.) as directed in 16.7.2.
16.7.4 For tufted floor covering calculate gage to the nearest
0.03 mm/site (0.001 in./site) by using Eq 19 or Eq 20.
G 5 1/N̄ (19)
where:
G = gage, in./binding site, and
N̄ = average number of widthwise binding sites per inch of
width calculated as directed in 16.7.1 and 16.7.2.
or:
G 5 1000/N̄ (20)
where:
G = gage, mm/binding site, and
N̄ = average number of widthwise binding sites per metre
of width calculated as directed in 16.7.1 and 16.7.2.
16.8 Report:
16.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining number of binding sites per
unit length or width of floor covering. Describe the material or
product sampled and the method of sampling used.
16.8.2 Woven Floor Covering—Report the following:
16.8.2.1 Average number of wires per unit length.
16.8.2.2 Average number of dents per unit width, or the
pitch.
16.8.3 Knitted Floor Covering—Report the following:
16.8.3.1 Average number of courses per unit length.
16.8.3.2 Average number of wales per unit width.
16.8.4 Tufted Floor Covering—Report the following:
16.8.4.1 Average number of stitches per unit length.
16.8.4.2 Average number of needles per unit width.
16.8.4.3 Gage.
16.9 Precision and Bias:
16.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining the number of binding sites per
unit length or width is being established.
16.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining the number of binding sites per unit length or
width has no known bias and may be used as a referee method.
17. Keywords
17.1 binding sites; construction; floor covering; mass per
unit area; pile yarn; thickness; tuft height; tuft length
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
18. Tuft and Yarn Length of Uncoated Floor Covering
18.1 Scope—These test methods apply only to uncoated pile
yarn floor covering.
18.1.1 Usually the tuft elements measured as directed in this
test method will each be bound at only one binding site, but the
test method may also be used for tuft elements bound at more
than one binding site, provided that every tuft element mea-
sured is bound at the same number of sites.
These test methods apply only to uncoated pile yarn floor
covering.
18.2 Referenced Documents
18.2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles3
D 1909D 1909 Table of Commercial Moisture Regains for
Tex-
tile FibersD 19093
E 122E 122 Recommended Practice for Choice of Sampe
Size to Estimate the Average Quality of a Lot Process5
18.3 Definitions:
18.3.1 back coating, n.—in textiles, an adhesive-type sub-
stance applied to the back of a fabric for such purposes as
locking pile yarn tufts into a carpet backing, bonding a
secondary backing to a primary backing, or increasing fabric
body or stiffness.
18.3.1.1 backing, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, all mate-
rials in a pile yarn floor covering other than pile yarn.
18.3.2 backing fabric, n.—in textiles, (1) a fabric into which
pile yarn is inserted, or (2) a reinforcing layer adhered to the
reverse side of a fabric.
18.3.2.1 Discussion—In woven and knitted pile yarn floor
coverings the backing fabric is created at the same time the pile
yarn is bound to the backing fabric but in tufted pile yarn floor
coverings the backing fabric is made prior to the operation in
which the pile yarn is fastened to the backing fabric.
18.3.3 binding site, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, a place
at which the pile yarn is, or can be, bound to the backing fabric.
See Fig. 1.
18.3.3.1 Discussion—In any machine-made pile yarn floor
covering the binding sites occur in an orderly and repetitive
array at uniform intervals in both the lengthwise and widthwise
directions of the floor covering. The nature of the binding site
differs among woven, knitted, and tufted floor coverings. For
example, the binding site of a woven floor covering consists of
one or more filling shots under which the face yarn passes,
while the binding site of a tufted floor covering consists of the
section of backing fabric between two adjacent needle holes in
the lengthwise direction. The number of pile yarn strands that
can be fastened at one binding site can vary from none to
several, according to design.
18.3.4 carpet, n.—all textile floor coverings not designated
as rugs.
18.3.5 components, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, the
individual yarn or fabric elements into which a pile yarn floor
covering can be dissected.
18.3.5.1 Discussion—The major components of uncoated
pile yarn floor covering are the pile yarn and the backing
fabric. For woven and knitted floor covering, the backing fabric
may be further dissected into component yarns.
16
18.3.6 cut pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which the legs of any one tuft element are not connected to the
legs of any other tuft element.
18.3.7 floor covering, n.—an essentially planar material,
having a relatively small thickness in comparison to its length
or width, which is laid on a floor to enhance the beauty,
comfort, and utility of the floor.
18.3.7.1 Discussion—It is customary to distinguish between
hard or resilient floor coverings and soft or textile floor
coverings. Textile floor coverings are further subdivided into
pile floor coverings and nonpile floor coverings such as braided
rugs or flat, nonwoven barb needle-punched felt. There are two
types of pile floor coverings: pile yarn and pile fiber. Typical
examples of pile fiber floor coverings are flocked floor cover-
ing and fork needlepunched non-woven floor covering. Textile
floor coverings are also classified as carpets or rugs.
18.3.8 lengthwise direction, n.—in textiles, the direction in
a machine-made fabric parallel to the direction of movement
the fabric followed in the manufacturing machine. (Syn.
machine direction and wrapwise.)
18.3.9 level pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which all tuft legs are of substantially the same length.
18.3.10 loop pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which, for each loop, a tuft leg of one element is connected to
a tuft leg of another tuft element at another binding site so as
to form a loop which projects above the backing fabric between
the binding sites of the connected tuft elements.
18.3.11 multilevel pile, n.—for yarn floor covering, pile in
which some tuft legs are substantially longer than others.
18.3.12 pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, the texture
surface composed of many tuft legs bound to a backing fabric
in an orderly and repetitive array.
18.3.12.1 Discussion—A particular floor covering may be
all cut pile, or all loop pile and in either case the pile may be
of essentially one pile level or multilevel. A particular floor
covering may also contain both cut pile areas and loop pile
areas which may be of the same pile level or different pile
levels. Areas of intermingled cut and loop pile or intermingled
high and low level pile may also occur.
18.3.13 pile yarn floor covering, n.—a textile product in
which yarn or yarn segments are attached intermittently to a
backing fabric so as to project above the backing fabric to form
a pile; the yarn entering the backing fabric substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the backing fabric.
18.3.13.1 Pile yarn floor covering is distinguished from
flannel, fork needlepunched, and flocked products in that the
latter have a nap or pile formed of individual fibers rather than
of yarn. Pile yarn upholstery fabrics are sometimes distinguish-
able from pile yarn floor covering only in that they have
backings that are not as stiff as for pile yarn floor covering.
18.3.14 primary backing, n.—for tufted pile yarn floor
covering, the fabric through which the pile yarn is carried by
needles to form tufts: the backing fabric.
18.3.15 rug, n.—a textile floor covering of limited area
which is complete in itself and is intended for use as a partial
covering of a floor or another floor covering.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
18.3.16 secondary backing, n.—for pile yarn floor covering,
a material adhered to the backing fabric side of a pile yarn floor
covering.
18.3.16.1 Discussion—The secondary backing may be a
textile layer, a solid plastic layer, a rubber sponge, or an
elastomeric foam.
18.3.17 tuft, n.—in pile fabrics, those cut or uncut loops
which are attached to the backing fabric at one binding site and
which form part of the fabric face.
18.3.17.1 Discussion—A tuft may consist of one or more
tuft elements.
18.3.18 tuft element, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, a
segment of yarn bound to a backing fabric at a binding site so
that two portions (legs) of the yarn project above the backing
fabric, one portion on each side of the binding site. See Fig. 1.
18.3.18.1 Discussion—In loop pile floor covering, the tuft
element extends from the midpoint of the loop on one side of
the binding site to the midpoint of the loop on the other side of
the binding site. In most pile yarn floor coverings both legs of
the tuft element are immediately adjacent to the same binding
site. In some pile yarn floor coverings the yarn segment
extends from one leg past a number of binding sites before the
second leg of the tuft element projects above the backing
fabric.
18.3.19 tuft leg, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, one of the
two portions of a tuft element that project above the backing
fabric on the pile side of the floor covering. See Fig. 1.
18.3.20 widthwise direction, n.—in textiles, the direction in
a machine-made fabric perpendicular to the direction of
movement the fabric followed in the manufacturing machine.
(Syn. cross machine direction, weftwise, and filling wise.)
18.3.21 For the definition of other textile terms used in these
methods, refer to Terminology D 123D 123.
18.4 Significance and Use:
18.4.1 Test Methods D 418 for the determination of tuft
length and yarn length of floor covering are useful in quality
and cost control during the manufacture of pile yarn floor
covering. Both appearance and performance can be affected by
changes in this characteristic.
18.4.2 Although these test methods are useful for accep-
tance testing of commercial shipments as the best available
methods, between-laboratory precision has not yet been deter-
mined. If there is a disagreement arising from differences in
values reported by the purchaser and the supplier when using
the methods of this standard for acceptance testing, the
statistical bias, if any, between the laboratory of the purchaser
and the laboratory of the supplier should be determined with
each comparison of test results being based on adjacent test
samples cut from one shipping roll of the floor covering.
18.5 Sampling Units and Test Specimens:
18.5.1 Sampling Units:
18.5.1.1 The basic sampling unit of uncoated floor covering
is a production roll.
18.5.2 Take a lot sample as directed in Practice E 122E 122
when statistical knowledge of the product variability and test
method precision is available, and a decision has been made on
the maximum deviation that can be tolerated between the
estimate to be made from the sample and the result that would
17
be obtained by measuring every sampling unit of the lot.
Otherwise the number of sampling units in a lot sample and the
use of the test results obtained from the individual test samples
shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s quality control
program or with the specification agreed upon between the
purchaser and the supplier.
18.5.3 A test sample shall consist of a full-width section of
floor covering cut from one end of each roll in the lot sample
and shall be at least 100 mm (4 in.) longer than the specimens
required for the tests being conducted. Do not cut a test sample
of coated floor covering from a seam end of a production roll.
18.5.4 A test specimen is a designated area of a test sample
that may be marked on or cut from the test sample as directed
in a test method. For test samples 3050 mm (120 in.) wide or
wider, three test specimens are required for a test method, one
at each edge no nearer to the edge than 5 % of the total floor
covering width and one in the middle portion of the test
sample. For test samples at least 1520 mm (60 in.) wide but
less than 3050 mm, two test specimens are required for a test
method, one at each edge no nearer to the edge than 5 % of the
total floor covering width. For test samples less than 1520 mm
wide (60 in.), only one specimen, in the middle of the width, is
required for a test method.
18.5.5 Where it is known that systematic variations in a
floor covering characteristic may occur in bands 460 mm (18
in.) or more in width, as with modular pattern device having
separate controls or adjustments for each module, take test
specimens from the middle of each band.
18.5.6 When a full-width test sample is not available, take a
specimen as directed in 5.4 and state in the report the width
available and the number of test specimens taken.
18.5.7 A test result is the average of the measurements made
on a set of test specimens as described in 18.5.4, 18.5.5, or
18.5.6. In these test methods, directions are given only for
obtaining a test result from one test sample. The value
representative of the lot being sampled will be the average of
the test results for all the test samples in the lot sample.
18.6 Conditioning:
18.6.1 Condition the test specimens or the test sample in the
standard atmosphere for testing textiles (21 6 1°C (70 6 2°F)
at 65 6 2 % relative humidity) for 12 h or until the mass
changes no more than 0.1 % in 2 h.
19. Tuft Length
19.1 Summary of Test Method:
19.1.1 Individual tuft elements of like character (cut or loop,
and height) are removed from a test specimen and placed, one
at a time, in a grooved yarn specimen holder that maintains the
tuft yarn in a straight line while the length of the tuft element
is measured with a graduated scale and a magnifying glass.
19.1.2 In loop pile floor covering, adjacent tuft elements are
first separated by cutting the connecting loops at the center of
the bend with sharp scissors before the tuft elements are
withdrawn from the backing fabric.
19.2 Apparatus:
19.2.1 Grooved Specimen Holders:
19.2.1.1 The length of the holder shall be at least 10 %
longer than the longest tuft element to be measured. A100-mm
(4-in.) length normally will be adequate.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
19.2.1.2 The grooves shall have a V-shaped cross section
with a 1.05-rad (60°) angle at the bottom and widths across the
top to accommodate several size yarns as follows:
Yarn Bulk Groove Widths, mm (in.)
Coarse 4.6 (0.18)
Medium 3.3 (0.13)
Fine 2.0 (0.08)
19.2.1.3 Additional grooves of intermediate width also may
be used.
19.3 Apparatus:
19.3.1 Scale, at least a length of 100 mm (4 in.) graduated
in 2-mm (0.01-in.) divisions.
19.3.1.1 If the scale is not transparent, it shall be no thicker
than 1 mm (0.04 in.).
19.3.1.2 Cover Plate, clear plastic or glass to be used when
a nontransparent scale is used.
19.3.1.3 Magnifying Glass, 23 to 53, mounted above the
holder to permit centering the glass immediately above the cut
ends of the tuft to avoid parallax in reading the scale.
19.3.1.4 Scissors, sharp.
19.4 Conditioning—If the fiber has a commercial moisture
regain of over 5 %, the tufts must be conditioned as directed in
Section 6 before measuring. Commercial moisture regains for
textile fibers are listed in Table D 1909D 1909.
19.5 Tuft Element Selection:
19.5.1 Select a total of ten tuft elements of like character
(either cut or loop, and of one height) from the floor covering
test specimens designated in 5.4. For three test specimens,
select four tuft elements from the middle test specimen and
three each from the two-sided test specimens. For other
numbers of test specimens than three, similarly distribute the
ten tuft elements equally, or nearly equally, among the test
specimens.
19.5.1.1 Select the tuft elements in each test specimen from
different rows of binding sites in both the lengthwise and the
widthwise directions.
19.5.2 For loop pile floor covering, separate the tufted
element from the two adjoining tuft elements on either side by
cutting, with scissors, each connecting loop midway between
the binding sites of the adjoining tuft elements and the selected
tuft element before removing the selected tuft element from the
backing fabric.
19.6 Procedure:
19.6.1 Select the groove appropriate to the tuft element yarn
diameter.
NOTE 18—The groove is of appropriate size if the bend in the middle of
the tuft element is substantially removed when the cover plate is placed
over the yarn in the groove (the groove is then small enough). The groove
is too small if the fibers of the tuft element spread beyond the edge of the
groove and hold the cover plate above the holder surface. A deflection of
the tuft element from straightness of as much as 1 mm (0.04 in.) will not
significantly affect the measured tuft length.
19.6.2 Place the extended tuft element in the groove.
19.6.2.1 If a clear graduated scale is used, cover the groove
with the graduations directly over the yarn in the groove.
19.6.2.2 If a transparent scale is used, place the scale along
one edge of the groove and the clear cover plate above the
groove abutting the scale.
18
19.6.3 Center the magnifying glass immediately above one
end of the tuft element to avoid parallax.
19.6.4 Read the graduated scale at one end of the tuft
element and record to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.).
19.6.4.1 If the tuft element is not cut squarely, select
visually a location midway between the extremes of the cut.
19.6.5 Without moving the scale repeat 19.6.3 and 19.6.4
for the other end of the tuft element.
19.6.6 Repeat 19.6.2-19.6.5 for the remaining tuft elements
taken from the test specimens.
19.6.7 For level loop pile floor covering only the pile yarn
per unit length of floor covering is determined as directed in
Section 20 and the number of binding sites per unit length of
floor covering is determined as directed in Test Methods
D 418. The tuft length equals the pile yarn length per unit
length of floor covering divided by the number of binding sites
per unit length of floor covering.
19.7 Calculation:
19.7.1 Calculate the length of each tuft element by deter-
mining the difference between the two scale readings.
19.7.2 Average the lengths of each group of ten tuft ele-
ments of like character to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.).
19.7.2.1 For level loop pile floor covering only, calculate the
tuft length as in 12.2 using Eq 21.
T 5 R/N (21)
where:
T = tuft length, mm (in.),
R = average pile yarn length per unit length of floor
covering (see 12.2), and
N = average number of binding sites per unit length of
floor covering.
19.8 Report:
19.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418, for determining tuft length. Describe the
material sampled and the method of sampling used. State
whether the tuft elements were removed from cut pile or loop
pile areas of the floor covering and, in the case of multilevel
floor covering, also state from which level of pile the tuft
elements were removed.
19.8.2 Report the average tuft length for each character of
tuft separately.
19.9 Precision and Bias:
19.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining tuft length is being established.
19.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining tuft length has no known bias and may be used as
a referee method.
20. Pile Yarn Length per Unit Length of Floor Covering
20.1 Summary of Test Method:
20.1.1 The lengths of pile yarns removed from a measured
length of floor covering are measured under a tension propor-
tional to the yarn number. The pile yarn length per unit length
of floor covering is the average yarn specimen length divided
by the measured floor covering test specimen length.
20.2 Apparatus:
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
20.2.1 Scale or Tape, metal, graduated in 1 mm (0.05 in.), at
least 10 % longer than the extended yarn specimen being
measured.
20.2.2 Stationary Clamp, to hold one end of the yarn.
20.2.3 Means for Applying a Known Tension to the yarn.
NOTE 19—Various means for applying a known tension are available
with the yarn in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. Typical
laboratory load-elongation yarn testing machines may be used or the
tension may be applied with a combination of weights or a spring “fish”
scale having a range of 1250 to 7000 mN (125 to 700 gf). Small spring
binder clamps weighing 3 to 4 g can be used to attach the weights to the
specimen. The symbol gf denotes gram-force. One gram force is the force
exerted by a mass of 1 g under the pull of the earth’s gravity. An mN is
one thousandth of a newton, the SI1 metric unit of force. 1 gf = 9.807 mN.
20.3 Test Specimens:
20.3.1 Cut floor covering test specimens and measure in the
lengthwise direction as directed in Section 5.
20.3.2 From each floor covering test specimen remove five
pile yarns. Take care not to overstretch the yarn. Discard and
replace any pile yarn which hangs up or catches during
removal.
20.4 Procedure:
20.4.1 Insert one end of a pile yarn in the stationary clamp.
The clamp should be within 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) of the end of the
yarn.
20.4.2 Clamp the other end of the yarn to the tensioning
means, also within 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) of the yarn end.
20.4.3 Apply 9.0 6 0.5 mN/tex (0.9 6 0.05 gf/tex) tension
to the yarn. Typical tensions required are given in Table 1.
20.4.4 If the yarn number is not known, apply a tension just
sufficient to remove any yarn crimp from the first yarn.
Measure the length in millimetres as directed in 20.5, and
weigh the yarn to the nearest 0.01 g. Calculate an estimate of
the yarn number using Eq 22.
t 5 1000m/q (22)
where:
t = tex yarn number,
m = mass of yarn specimen, g, and
q = length of yarn specimen, mm.
20.4.5 If the tension applied to this yarn falls within the
range given in Table 1 for the tex yarn number obtained, the
length obtained on this yarn specimen is a valid measurement.
Otherwise, the length of another yarn must be measured under
the tension specified in Table 2 for the tex yarn number
obtained.
20.5 Measure the length, Y, of the yarn, including the
portions in the clamps, with the graduated scale or tape, to the
nearest 1 mm (0.05 in.).
20.6 Repeat 20.4-20.5 for all yarns selected.
20.7 Calculation:
20.7.1 Average the pile yarn lengths from each test speci-
men to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.), Y.
20.7.2 For each floor covering test specimen, calculate the
pile yarn length per unit length to the nearest 0.01 mm/mm
(in./in.) using Eq 23.
R 5 Y/L (23)
where:
19
R = pile yarn length per unit length for the floor covering
specimen, mm/mm (in./in.),
Y = average of the five yarn specimen lengths for the floor
covering specimen, mm (in.), and
L = average length of the floor covering specimen.
20.7.3 Calculate the average pile yarn length per unit length
of floor covering, R, to the nearest 0.01 mm/mm (in./in.) from
the values of R obtained as directed in 19.1 for all test
specimens in the test sample.
20.8 Report:
20.8.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining pile yarn length per unit length
of floor covering. Describe the material samples and the
method of sampling used.
20.8.2 Report the average pile yarn length per unit length of
floor covering.
20.9 Precision and Bias :
20.9.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in
Method D 418 for determining pile yarn length of floor
covering is being established.
20.9.2 Bias—The procedure in Method D 418 for testing
pile yarn length per unit length of floor covering has no known
bias and may be used for referee purposes.
20.10 Keywords:
20.10.1 construction; floor covering; pile yarn; tuft length
21. Number of Binding Sites per Unit Length or Width
of Pile Floor Covering
21.1 Scope—This method covers the determination of the
number of binding sites per unit length or width of machine-
made, woven, knitted and tufted pile yarn covering both before
and after adhesive backing, which bonds the pile yarn to the
backing fabric.
21.1.1 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
regarded as the standard for all measurements except mass. The
SI (metric) values for all measurements except mass are
provided for information only.
21.2 Referenced Documents:
21.2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 123 Terminology Relating to TextilesD 1233
D 1909 Table of Commercial Moisture Regains for Tex-
tile FibersD 19093
E 122 Recommended Practice for Choice of Sample Size to
Estimate the Average Quality of a Lot ProcessE 1225
21.3 Definitions:
21.3.1 back coating, n.—in textiles, an adhesive-type sub-
stance applied to the back of a fabric for such purposes as
locking pile yarn tufts into a carpet backing, bonding a
secondary backing to a primary backing, or increasing fabric
body or stiffness.
21.3.2 backing, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, all materi-
als in a pile yarn floor covering other than pile yarn.
21.3.3 backing fabric, n.—in textiles, (1) a fabric into which
pile yarn is inserted, or (2) a reinforcing layer adhered to the
reverse side of a fabric.
21.3.3.1 Discussion—In woven and knitted pile yarn floor
coverings the backing fabric is created at the same time the pile
yarn is bound to the backing fabric but in tufted pile yarn floor
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
coverings the backing fabric is made prior to the operation in
which the pile yarn is fastened to the backing fabric.
21.3.4 primary backing, n.—for tufted pile yarn floor cov-
ering, the fabric through which the pile yarn is carried by
needles to form tufts: the backing fabric.
21.3.5 secondary backing, n.—for pile yarn floor covering,
a material adhered to the backing fabric side of a pile yarn floor
covering.
21.3.5.1 Discussion—The secondary backing may be a
textile layer, a solid plastic layer, a rubber sponge, or an
elastomeric foam.
21.3.6 binding site, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, a place
at which the pile yarn is, or can be, bound to the backing fabric.
See Fig. 1.
21.3.6.1 Discussion—In any machine-made pile yarn floor
covering the binding sites occur in an orderly and repetitive
array at uniform intervals in both the lengthwise and widthwise
directions of the floor covering. The nature of the binding site
differs among woven, knitted and tufted floor coverings. For
example, the binding site of a woven floor covering consists of
one or more filling shots under which the face yarn passes,
while the binding site of a tufted floor covering consists of the
section of backing fabric between two adjacent needle holes in
the lengthwise direction. The number of pile yarn strands that
can be fastened at one binding site can vary from one to
several, according to design.
21.3.7 buried pile yarn, n.—for coated pile yarn floor
covering, that portion of the pile tuft elements which remains
after the tuft legs have been removed by shearing.
21.3.7.1 Discussion—The buried pile yarn is composed of
the pile yarn in the backing and a short stubble of yarn
projecting above the backing.
21.3.8 carpet, n.—all textile floor coverings not designated
as rugs.
21.3.9 components, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, the
individual yarn or fabric elements into which a pile yarn floor
covering can be dissected.
21.3.9.1 Discussion—The major components of uncoated
pile yarn covering are the pile yarn and the backing fabric. For
woven and knitted floor covering, the backing fabric may be
further dissected into component yarns.
21.3.10 course, n.—in knitted fabrics the series of succes-
sive loops lying crosswise of a knitted fabric, that is, lying at
right angles to a line passing through the open throat to the
closed end of the loops.
21.3.11 cut pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which the legs of any one tuft element are not connected to the
legs of any other tuft element.
21.3.12 dents per unit width, n.—for woven pile yarn floor
covering, the number of binding sites per unit width; dents
being the reed spaces through which the warp yarns pass in the
loom or the metal strips in the reed which form these spaces.
21.3.13 floor covering, n.—an essentially planar material,
having a relatively small thickness in comparison to its length
or width, which is laid on a floor to enhance the beauty,
comfort, and utility of the floor.
21.3.13.1 Discussion—It is customary to distinguish be-
tween hard or resilient floor coverings and soft or textile floor
20
coverings. Textile floor coverings are further subdivided into
pile floor coverings and nonpile floor coverings such as braided
rugs or flat nonwoven barb needlepunched felt. There are two
types of pile floor coverings: pile yarn and pile fiber. Typical
examples of pile fiber floor coverings are flocked floor cover-
ing and fork needlepunched non-woven floor covering. Textile
floor coverings are also classified as carpets or rugs.
21.3.14 gage, n.—of tufted pile yarn floor covering, the
average distance between adjacent binding sites in the width-
wise direction.
21.3.15 gage, n.—of a tufting machine, the average center-
line distance between the needles.
21.3.16 lengthwise direction, n.—in textiles, the direction in
a machine-made fabric parallel to the direction of movement
the fabric followed in the manufacturing machine. (Syn.
machine direction and wrapwise.)
21.3.17 level pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which all tuft legs are of substantially the same length.
21.3.18 loop pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, pile in
which, for each loop, a tuft leg of one element is connected to
a tuft leg of another tuft element at another binding site so as
to form a loop which projects above the backing fabric between
the binding sites of the connected tuft elements.
21.3.19 multilevel pile, n.—for yarn floor covering, pile in
which some tuft legs are substantially longer than others.
21.3.20 needles per unit width, n.—for tufted pile yarn floor
covering, the number of binding sites per unit of floor covering
width; needles being the means of inserting the pile yarn into
the backing fabric.
21.3.21 pile, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, the texture
surface composed of many tuft legs bound to a backing fabric
in an orderly and repetitive array.
21.3.21.1 Discussion—A particular floor covering may be
all cut pile, or all loop pile and in either case the pile may be
of essentially one pile level or multilevel. A particular floor
covering may also contain both cut pile areas and loop pile
areas which may be of the same pile level or different pile
levels. Areas of intermingled cut and loop pile or intermingled
high and low level pile may also occur.
21.3.22 pile yarn floor covering, n.—a textile product in
which yarn or yarn segments are attached intermittently to a
backing fabric so as to project above the backing fabric to form
a pile; the yarn entering the backing fabric substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the backing fabric.
21.3.22.1 Discussion—Pile yarn floor covering is distin-
guished from flannel, fork needlepunched, and flocked prod-
ucts in that the latter have a nap or pile formed of individual
fibers rather than of yarn. Pile yarn upholstery fabrics are
sometimes distinguishable from pile yarn floor covering only
in that they have backings that are not as stiff as for pile yarn
floor covering.
21.3.23 pitch, n.—for woven pile yarn floor covering, the
number of binding sites in 686 mm (27 in.) of width.
21.3.24 rug, n.—a textile floor covering of limited area
which is complete in itself and is intended for use as a partial
covering of a floor or another floor covering.
21.3.25 stitches, n.—in tufted pile floor covering, the num-
ber of pile tufts per inch in the lengthwise direction.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
21.3.26 tuft, n.—in pile fabrics, those cut or uncut loops
which are attached to the backing fabric at one binding site and
which form part of the fabric face.
21.3.26.1 Discussion—A tuft may consist of one or more
tuft elements.
21.3.27 tuft element, n.—for pile yarn floor covering, a
segment of yarn bound to a backing fabric at a binding site so
that two portions (legs) of the yarn project above the backing
fabric, one portion on each side of the binding site. See Fig. 1.
21.3.27.1 Discussion—In loop pile floor covering, the tuft
element extends from the midpoint of the loop on one side of
the binding site to the midpoint of the loop on the other side of
the binding site. In most pile yarn floor coverings both legs of
the tuft element are immediately adjacent to the same binding
site. In some pile yarn floor coverings the yarn segment
extends from one leg past a number of binding sites before the
second leg of the tuft element projects above the backing
fabric.
21.3.28 wale, n.—in knitted fabrics, a column of loops in
successive courses. The column is parallel with the loop axes.
21.3.29 widthwise direction, n.—in textiles, the direction in
a machine-made fabric perpendicular to the direction of
movement the fabric followed in the manufacturing machine.
(Syn. cross machine direction, weftwise, and filling wise.)
21.3.30 wires per unit length, n.—for woven pile yarn floor
covering, the number of binding sites per unit of floor covering
length; wires in the widthwise direction being the usual means
of forming the pile.
21.3.31 For the definition of other textile terms used in these
methods, refer to Terminology D 123D 123.
21.4 Significance and Use:
21.4.1 Test Methods D 418 for the determination of the
number of binding sites per unit length or width of floor
covering is useful in quality and cost control during the
manufacture of pile yarn floor covering. Both appearance and
performance can be affected by changes in this characteristic.
21.4.2 Although this test method is useful for acceptance
testing of commercial shipments as the best available methods,
between-laboratory precision has not yet been determined. If
there is a disagreement arising from differences in values
reported by the purchaser and the supplier when using this
method for acceptance testing, the statistical bias, if any,
between the laboratory of the purchaser and the laboratory of
the supplier should be determined with each comparison of test
results being based on adjacent test samples cut from one
shipping roll of the floor covering.
21.5 Sampling Units and Test Specimens:
21.5.1 Sampling Units:
21.5.1.1 Uncoated Floor Covering—The basic sampling
unit of uncoated floor covering is a production roll.
21.5.1.2 Coated Floor Covering—The basic sampling unit
of coated floor covering is a shipping roll. The number of
shipping rolls obtained from each production roll ranges from
one to over 10.
21.5.2 Take a lot sample as directed in Recommended
Practice E 122E 122 when statistical knowledge of the product
variability and test method precision is available, and a
decision has been made on the maximum deviation that can be
21
tolerated between the estimate to be made from the sample and
the result that would be obtained by measuring every sampling
unit of the lot. Otherwise the number of sampling units in a lot
sample and the use of the test results obtained from the
individual test samples shall be in accordance with the manu-
facturer’s quality control program or with the specification
agreed to by the purchaser and the supplier.
21.5.3 A test sample shall consist of a full width section of
floor covering cut from one end of each roll in the lot sample
and shall be at least 100 mm (4 in.) longer than the specimens
required for the tests being conducted. Do not cut a test sample
of coated floor covering from a seam end of a production roll.
21.5.4 A test specimen is a designated area of a test sample
that may be marked on or cut from the test sample as directed
in a test method. For test samples 3050 mm (120 in.) wide or
wider, three test specimens are required for a test method, one
at each edge no nearer to the edge than 5 % of the total floor
covering width and one in the middle portion of the test
sample. For test samples at least 1525 mm (60 in.) wide but
less 3050 mm (120 in.) two test specimens are required for a
test method, one at each edge no nearer to the edge than 5 %
of the total floor covering width. For test samples less than
1525 mm wide (60 in.), only one specimen, in the middle of the
width, is required for a test method.
21.5.5 Where it is known that systematic variations in a
floor covering characteristic may occur in bands 460 mm (18
in.) or more in width, as with modular pattern device having
separate controls or adjustments for each module, take test
specimens from the middle of each band.
21.5.6 When a full width test sample is not available, take a
specimens as directed in 21.5.4 and state in the report the width
available and the number of test specimens taken.
21.5.7 A test result is the average of the measurements made
on a set of test specimens as described in 21.4, 21.5, or 21.6.
In these methods, directions are given only for obtaining a test
result from one test sample. The value representative of the lot
being sampled will be the average of the test results for all the
test samples in the lot sample.
21.6 Conditioning:
21.6.1 Condition the test specimens or the test sample in the
standard atmosphere for testing textiles (21 6 1°C (70 6 2°F)
at 65 6 2 % relative humidity) for 12 h or until the mass
changes no more than 0.1 % in 2 h.
21.6.2 If the fiber in any layer of the backing has a
commercial regain of over 5 %, the specimen must be condi-
tioned before measuring. Commercial moisture regains for
textile fibers are listed in Table D 1909D 1909.
21.7 Summary of Test Method:
21.7.1 A graduated scale or tape is placed on the floor
covering and the length of floor covering required for 40
binding sites is measured in either the lengthwise or the
widthwise direction as required. The number of binding sites
per unit length is 40 divided by the measured length.
21.8 Apparatus:
21.8.1 Shear or Clipper, capable of shearing close enough
to the backing so as to leave a stubble of no more than 1.3 mm
(0.05 in.).7
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
21.8.2 Scale or Tape, metal, graduated in 1 mm (0.05 in.),
and at least 10 % longer than the distance being measured.
21.8.3 Location Markers, two, such as straight pins.
21.9 Test Specimens:
21.9.1 The number and location of the test specimens shall
be as directed in Section 21.5.
21.9.2 The test specimens shall be large enough to include
44 binding sites in each direction.
21.9.3 The measurements of this test method may be made
on the test specimens without cutting the test specimens from
the test sample.
21.10 Procedure:
21.10.1 Place the test specimen face down on a flat surface
if the binding sites are visible from the back. Otherwise, place
the test specimen back down and shear the pile close to the
backing so as to reveal the binding sites. Select a line of
binding sites in the direction to be counted.
NOTE 20—Handle uncoated floor covering so as to avoid distorting the
test specimen dimensions. Do not measure the number of binding sites of
coated floor covering after treating with reagents and removing the
secondary backing.
21.10.2 Select a distinguishing feature found at each bind-
ing site.
NOTE 21—It is not necessary to precisely define the boundaries of a
binding site; only to use the same distinguishing feature in every binding
site being counted in a particular specimen. For tufted floor covering a
distinguishing feature is the needle hole separating two adjacent binding
sites. See Fig. 1. For woven floor covering it may be a filling yarn
appearing once on the back for every binding site.
21.10.3 Locate the zero point at this distinguishing feature
of one binding site with a marker.
21.10.4 Count 40 complete binding sites from this marker
and insert another marker at the distinguishing feature of the
40th site.
ANNEXES
(Mandatory Information)
A1. PREPARING SPECIMENS OF MEASURED AREA
A1.1 In five of the ten test methods in this standard,
specimens of measured area are required for mass per unit area
determinations. It is important to recognize that just as much
care is needed in measuring the area of the specimen as in
measuring its mass. The actual dimensions of a specimen are
not critical as long as the area has been measured.
A1.2 Any procedure for obtaining a pile yarn floor covering
specimen of measured area must also have the objective of
retaining with the specimen all tuft legs attached to binding
sites included in the measured area.
A1.3 Three procedures for obtaining specimens of mea-
sured area may be used. These are distinguished by the
22
21.10.5 Measure the length, L, between the marked binding
sites with the graduated scale or tape, reading to the nearest 1
mm (0.05 in.).
21.10.6 Make one measurement on each of the test speci-
mens or specimen areas.
21.11 Calculation:
21.11.1 For each measurement calculate the number of
binding sites per unit length or width of floor covering to the
nearest 1 mm (0.05 in.) using Eq 24.
N 5 40/L (24)
where:
N = number of binding sites per unit length or width of
floor covering, and
L = length measured as directed in 10.5, mm (in.).
21.11.2 Calculate the average number of binding sites per
unit length or width of floor covering to the nearest 4 sites/m
(0.1 site/in.).
21.12 Report:
21.12.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
Methods D 418 for determining number of binding sites per
unit length or width of floor covering. Describe the material or
product sampled and the method of sampling used.
21.12.1.1 Report the average number of binding sites per
unit length or width of floor covering as agreed between the
purchaser and the seller. In the absence of such agreement
report the number of binding sites per 25 mm (1 in.).
21.13 Precision and Bias:
21.13.1 Precision—The precision of the procedure in Test
Methods D 418 for determining the number of binding sites per
unit length or width is being established.
21.13.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Methods D 418 for
determining the number of binding sites per unit length or
width has no known bias and may be used as a referee method.
21.14 Keywords:
21.14.1 binding sites; construction; floor covering; pile yarn
apparatus employed. The choice of procedure depends prima-
rily on the cost of preparing specimens. Each procedure must
be capable of producing specimens having straight sides and
right angle corners, 1.57 6 0.03 rad (906 2°). The adequacy of
the cutting method chosen can be checked by measuring the
two diagonals of a test specimen. On a 254-mm (10-in.) square
test specimen the diagonals will differ no more than 12 mm
(0.49 in.) when the angles are between 1.54 and 1.61 rad (88
and 92°). In general, the allowable difference is 0.0494 times
the length of the side of the square. For a rectangular specimen,
the difference between the squares of the diagonals shall be no
greater than 0.14 times the product of the length and width of
the specimen. For the 64 by 254-mm (2.5 by 10-in.) strip
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
specimen, the allowable difference between the squares of the
diagonals is 2260 mm2 (3.5 in.2) and the allowable difference
between the diagonals is 4.3 mm (0.17 in.).

A1.4 Before following any of the following procedures,

remove all loose fiber and foreign matter from the face and
back of the area of floor covering from which the specimen is
to be cut.

A1.5 Procedure No. 1:

A1.5.1 Apparatus:
A1.5.1.1 Scale or Tape, metal, graduated in 2 mm (0.01 in.),
and at least 10 % longer than the test specimen dimensions.
A1.5.1.2 Pen, felt tip.
A1.5.1.3 Straight Edge, steel, 1.5 to 2.0 mm (0.06 to 0.08
in.) thick, at least 10 % longer than the test specimen
dimensions, and having a row of pins projecting approximately
3.8 mm (0.15 in.) from one face at intervals of approximately
50 mm (2 in.) along its centerline.
A1.5.1.4 Razor Knife, having a blade about 0.5 mm (0.02
in.) thick.
A1.5.1.5 Scissors, sharp.
A1.5.2 Test Specimen Cutting:
A1.5.2.1 Place the test sample pile down on a flat surface.
A1.5.2.2 Measure and mark the boundaries of the test
specimens on the back using the scale, straight edge, and pen.
A1.5.2.3 Cut just through the backing with the razor knife
guided by the straight edge, following the ink markings. Hold
the plane of the razor knife perpendicular to the back of the test
sample.
A1.5.2.4 Separate each test specimen from the test sample
using scissors to cut any loops connected to the remainder of
the test sample.
A1.5.3 Test Specimen Dimensions—Measure each dimen-
sion of each conditioned test specimen three times with the
graduated metal scale or tape to the nearest 0.3 mm (0.01 in.);
once approximately in the middle and once each about 25 mm
(1 in.) from each side. Calculate areas to the nearest 65 mm2
(0.01 in.2).
A1.6 Procedure No. 2:
A1.6.1 Apparatus:
A1.6.1.1 Template, steel, 1.5 to 2.0 mm (0.06 in. to 0.08 in.)
thick, having dimensions 0.5 mm (0.02 in.) less than the test
specimen dimensions specified in the test method, and having
a pin projecting approximately 3.8 mm (0.15 in.) from one face
in each corner about 6 mm (0.25 in.) in from the sides of the
corner. Two such templates are illustrated in Figs. A1.1 and
A1.2.
NOTE A1.1—For multilevel floor covering a standard size template or
clicking die may be used if the pattern area is within 2 % of the standard
area.
A1.6.1.2 Razor Knife, having a blade about 0.5 mm (0.02
in.) thick.
A1.6.1.3 Scissors, sharp.
A1.6.2 Test Specimen Cutting:
A1.6.2.1 Place the conditioned test sample pile down on a
flat surface.
FIG. A1.1 Template for 10 by 12.5-in. Specimen
FIG. A1.2 Template for 2.5 by 10-in. Specimen
A1.6.2.2 Place the template on the back of the test sample.
A1.6.2.3 Cut just through the backing with the razor knife
guided by the edges of the template. Hold the plane of the razor
knife perpendicular to the back of the test sample.
A1.6.2.4 Separate the test specimen from the test sample.
Use scissors to cut any loops connecting the test specimen to
the remainder of the test sample.
A1.6.3 Calibration of Template—Periodically measure a set
of three specimens as directed in A1.5.3. The areas computed
from these dimensions should be within 1 % of the area
specified in the test method.
A1.7 Procedure No. 3:
A1.7.1 Apparatus:
A1.7.1.1 Clicking Die, steel, having dimensions specified in
test method.
A1.7.1.2 Clicking Machine or Hand Mallet and Cutting
Block.
NOTE A1.2—A hand die may be used when the perimeter of the
specimen is 762 mm (30 in.) or less.
A1.7.2 Calibration of Clicking Die—After each sharpening,
die-cut a piece of cardboard and measure the dimensions of the
specimen as directed in A1.5.3. The area computed from these
dimensions should be within 1 % of the area specified in the
test method.
A1.7.3 Test Specimen Cutting:
A1.7.3.1 Place the test sample pile up on the cutting block
of the clicking machine.
A1.7.3.2 Brush pile surface by hand toward the middle of
area to be included in the specimen, or
A1.7.3.3 When the floor covering exhibits a strong pile lay,
brush the pile surface in the direction of the pile lay to make the
surface more uniform.

23
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
A1.7.3.4 Place die on the face of the test sample with the A1.7.3.7 If the brushing method of A1.7.3.3 was used,
longer sides parallel to the lengthwise direction of the floor carefully remove and retain for weighing with the specimen all
covering unless otherwise specified in the test method. loose yarn and fiber from around the inside perimeter of the
A1.7.3.5 Activate clicking machine, remove the test sample die.
remnant from around the die.
A1.7.3.6 If the brushing method of A1.7.3.2 was used,
remove the specimen from the die and discard any loose fiber.

A2. TYPICAL CALCULATION FOR PILE YARN MASS PER UNIT AREA (Section 9)

A2.1 Equivalent Mass for s Strip Specimens and 1 % TABLE A2.2 Strip Specimen Data
Limiting Values—Three 18 by 18-in. test specimens were taken Test Specimen Number (i)
Strip Specimen
from one test sample. The total mass per unit area of each test 1 2 3
specimen in oz/yd2 is given in Table A2.1 along with the 1 30.30* 31.55 31.90*
corresponding equivalent strip specimen masses and 1 % upper 2 31.28 32.20* 32.60
and lower limits for both one and two strip specimens per test 3 31.63* 31.20* 32.25
4 31.04 31.35* 32.40
specimen. 5 31.33 31.65 32.40
Selected 31.28 31.55 32.25
A2.2 Selection of Strip Specimens for Analysis—While it Pairs 31.04 31.65 32.40
Sum 62.32 63.20 64.65
may normally be unnecessary to cut 5 strip specimens from
each test specimen, the masses of this number of strip
specimens are shown in Table A2.2. Those marked with an
could be used in pairs. For this example there are seven
asterisk (*) fall outside the single strip specimen 1 % limits
acceptable pairs in each test specimen ranging in mass from
given in Table A2.1 and could not be used for analysis. As
61.93 to 62.96 g for No. 1; 62.90 to 63.85 g for No. 2; and
pairs, obviously, any of those within 1 % as individuals could
64.50 to 65.5 g for No. 3. The masses of the pairs taken for
be used together. In addition, some of those rejected as singles
further analysis are shown at the bottom of Table A2.2.

TABLE A2.1 Test Specimen Data

A2.3 Average Pile Yarn Mass per Unit Area—The total
mass, M, of the selected strip specimen pairs was 190.17 g. The
Test Specimen Number (i)
stubble specimen mass, S, was 116.20 g; the buried pile yarn,
1 2 3
C, 11.53 g; and the coating residue mass, R, 0.050 g. The
Mass per unit area, oz/yd2 57.2 58.1 59.5 combined area of the 6 strip specimens was 301.2 in.2 The
Ei(one strip specimen), g 31.277 31.769 32.535
Ei(two strip specimens), g 62.555 63.539 65.070 average pile yarn mass per unit area is obtained by substituting
1 % limits (one) these values in Eq 6.
Upper 31.59 32.09 32.86
Lower 30.96 31.45 32.21
1 % Limits (two)
Upper 63.18 64.17 65.72
P = K(M – S + C – R)/A
Lower 61.93 62.90 64.42 = [45.72 (190.17 – 116.20 + 11.53 – 0.050)]/301.2 (6)
= 25.9 oz/yd2

A3. TYPICAL CALCULATION FOR PILE THICKNESS-MULTILEVEL PILE (Section 11)

A3.1 Strip Specimen Selection—In this example three test specimens. See 9.8.2. Five strip specimens were cut from each
specimens were taken from one test sample. Table A3.1 shows test specimen and weighed. The masses obtained are shown in
the total masses per unit area for each test specimen and the
corresponding upper and lower 1 % limits for two strip TABLE A3.2 Strip Specimen Selection Data
Test Specimen Number (i)
Strip Specimen
TABLE A3.1 Test Specimen Data 1 2 3
Test Specimen Number (i) 1 39.47 35.70 36.70
2 39.52 36.92 36.49
1 2 3
3 40.07 37.09 35.61
Mass per unit area, oz/yd2 71.14 66.36 65.59 4 39.03 36.67 36.19
Ei(two strip specimens), g 77.81 72.58 71.74 5 37.03 36.58 36.18
1 % limits Selected 39.52 36.67 36.19
Upper 78.59 73.31 72.46 Pairs 39.03 36.58 36.18
Lower 77.03 71.85 71.02 Sum 78.55 73.25 72.37

24
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
Table A3.2. Two strip specimens having a combined mass and thickness values measured at each of four shearing levels:
between the upper and lower 1 % limits were selected from 25 %, 50 % , 75 %, and stubble.
each test specimen.
A3.4 Net Pile Masses and Thicknesses—The total strip
A3.2 Estimation of Shearing Levels—The total thickness of
specimen masses and average strip specimen thicknesses at the
each strip specimen was measured at three places. The results
0, 25 %, 50 % and 75 % shearing levels are given in Table
of these measurements are reported in Table A3.3 for Shearing
A3.4. The total mass of the stubble specimens, 163.88 g, is
Level 0. The average thickness, T0, obtained was 0.503 in. For
subtracted from each of the other total masses to obtain the net
this quality of floor covering the stubble specimen thickness, h,
pile mass for each of these shearing levels. These net pile
measures approximately 0.14 in. Therefore,
z = 0.50 − 0.14 = 0.36 in. and t 25 = 0.75z + h = 0.41, masses are then expressed as percentages of the 0 level net pile
t50 = 0.50z + h = 0.32 and t75 = 0.25z + h = 0.23 in. mass, 60.29 g. Likewise, the net average pile thickness at each
shearing level is obtained by subtracting the average stubble
A3.3 Mass and Thickness Measurements on Sheared specimen thickness, 0.141 in., from the average thicknesses at
Specimens—The remainder of Table A3.3 presents the mass the other levels.

TABLE A3.3 Measured Masses and Thicknesses

Thickness
Shearing Level, Average
Measurement 11 12 21 22 31 32 Total Mass
k Thickness
Number
0 1 0.500 0.524 0.415 0.444 0.527 0.481
(0 %) 2 0.488 0.520 0.532 0.537 0.508 0.511
3 0.476 0.508 0.526 0.480 0.553 0.529
Average 0.488 0.517 0.491 0.487 0.529 0.507 0.503 224.17
1 1 0.346 0.359 0.390 0.377 0.413 0.401
(25 %) 2 0.357 0.370 0.401 0.394 0.440 0.429
3 0.370 0.363 0.393 0.404 0.393 0.437
Average 0.358 0.364 0.395 0.392 0.415 0.422 0.391 210.60
2 1 0.315 0.326 0.322 0.310 0.302 0.298
(50 %) 2 0.325 0.338 0.333 0.323 0.319 0.316
3 0.327 0.342 0.329 0.326 0.314 0.322
Average 0.322 0.335 0.328 0.320 0.312 0.312 0.322 201.19
3 1 0.236 0.244 0.230 0.225 0.236 0.231
(75 %) 2 0.240 0.245 0.234 0.223 0.239 0.233
3 0.234 0.249 0.220 0.229 0.241 0.238
Average 0.237 0.246 0.228 0.226 0.239 0.234 0.235 184.71
4 1 0.136 0.141 0.141 0.140 0.147 0.156
(Stubble) 2 0.138 0.147 0.137 0.136 0.136 0.149
3 0.137 0.145 0.140 0.139 0.137 0.146
Average 0.137 0.144 0.139 0.138 0.140 0.150 0.141 163.88

25
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93
TABLE A3.4 Net Pile Masses and Thicknesses
Shearing Level, k
0 1 2 3
Total mass, g 224.17 210.60 201.19 184.71
Net pile mass, g 60.29 46.72 37.31 20.83
As % of 0 Level 100.0 77.5 61.9 34.5
Average thickness 0.503 0.391 0.322 0.235
Net pile thickness 0.362 0.250 0.181 0.094

A3.5 Average Pile Thickness—The net pile thicknesses and 75 % points, Fig. A3.1. The thickness value read from the
reported in Table A3.4 were plotted against the net pile mass graph at m = 50.0 % is 0.141. The average pile thickness to be
percentages and a smooth curve drawn through the 25 %, 50 % reported is twice this value or 0.282 in.

26
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93

FIG. A3.1 Plot of Net Pile Thickness Versus Net Pile Mass

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DESCRIPTION OF BINDING SITE TYPES

X1.1 The following are the trade categories used to TABLE X1.1 Binding Site Types
describe binding sites as shown in Table X1.1: Type of Floor Covering Binding Site Nomenclature
Woven dents
pitch
wires
Tufted gage
needles
stitch
Knitted courses
wales

27
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 418 – 93

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