ASTM D3996-23

Standard Performance Specification for Knit Swimwear Fabrics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Upon mutual agreement between the purchaser and the seller, fabrics intended for this end use should meet all of the requirements listed in Table 1 of this specification.  
5.2 It is recognized that for purposes of fashion or aesthetics the ultimate consumer of articles made from these fabrics may find acceptable fabrics that do not conform to all of the requirements in Table 1. Therefore, one or more of the requirements listed in Table 1 may be modified by mutual agreement between the purchaser and the seller.  
5.2.1 In such cases, any references to the specification shall specify that: “This fabric meets ASTM Specification D3996 except for the following characteristic(s).”  
5.3 Where no prepurchase agreement has been reached between the purchaser and the seller, and in case of controversy, the requirements listed in Table 1 are intended to be used as a guide only. As noted in 5.2, ultimate consumer demands dictate varying performance parameters for any particular style of fabric.  
5.4 The significance and use of particular properties and test methods are discussed in the appropriate sections of the specified test methods.
SCOPE
1.1 This performance specification covers circular and warp knitted fabrics for use in knit swimwear, composed of any textile fiber or mixture of textile fibers.  
1.2 These requirements apply to both the length and width directions for those properties where fabric direction is pertinent.  
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2022
• ICS: 61.020 - Clothes
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.61 - Apparel

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D3787-16(2020) - Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textiles—Constant-Rate-of-Traverse (CRT) Ball Burst Test
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3996 − 23
Standard Performance Specification for
1
Knit Swimwear Fabrics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3996; 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.
3
1. Scope D7022 Terminology Relating to Apparel (Withdrawn 2022)
4
2.2 AATCC Methods:
1.1 This performance specification covers circular and warp
TM8 Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter Method
knitted fabrics for use in knit swimwear, composed of any
TM15 Colorfastness to Perspiration
textile fiber or mixture of textile fibers.
TM16.3 Colorfastness to Light
1.2 These requirements apply to both the length and width
TM23 Colorfastness to Burnt Gas Fumes
directions for those properties where fabric direction is perti-
TM61 Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated
nent.
TM106 Colorfastness to Water: Sea
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains only to
TM107 Colorfastness to Water
the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification. This
TM116 Colorfastness to Crocking: Rotary Vertical Crock-
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
meter Method
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
TM129 Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere Under
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
High Humidities
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
TM135 Dimensional Changes of Fabrics After Home Laun-
regulatory limitations prior to use.
dering
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
TM162 Colorfastness to Water Chlorinated Pool
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
TM172 Colorfastness to Powdered Non-Chlorine Bleach in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Home Laundering
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
TM188 Colorfastness to Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Home Laundering
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
EP1 Gray Scale for Color Change
EP2 Gray Scale for Staining
2. Referenced Documents
EP8 AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5
2.3 Federal Standard:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
16 CFR 1610 Standard for Flammability of Clothing Tex-
D2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for
tiles
3
Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)
NOTE 1—Reference to test methods in this specification give only the
D3786 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile
permanent part of the designation of ASTM, AATCC, or other test
Fabrics—Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method
methods. The current editions of each test method cited shall prevail.
D3787 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textiles—
Constant-Rate-of-Traverse (CRT) Ball Burst Test
3. Terminology
D6797 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Fabrics
3.1 For all terminology related to D13.61, Apparel, see
Constant-Rate-of-Extension (CRE) Ball Burst Test
Terminology D7022.
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
1
This performance specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
swimwear.
D13 on Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.61 on
3.2 For definitions of all other textile terms, see Terminol-
Apparel.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally
ogy D123.
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3996 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/D3996-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://
the ASTM website. www.aatcc.org.
3 5
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
www.astm.org. Washington, DC 20407.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D3996 − 23
3.3 For terms relating to chemical or colorfastness testing, 5.3 Where no prepurchase agreement has been reached
refer to specific AATCC methods. between the purchaser and the seller, and in case of
controversy, the requirements listed in Table 1 are intended to
4. Specificatio
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3996 − 14 D3996 − 23
Standard Performance Specification for
1
Knit Swimwear Fabrics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3996; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This performance specification covers circular and warp knitted fabrics for use in knit swimwear, composed of any textile fiber
or mixture of textile fibers.
1.2 These requirements apply to both the length and width directions for those properties where fabric direction is pertinent.
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification.This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
3
D2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)
D3786 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile Fabrics—Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method
D3787 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textiles—Constant-Rate-of-Traverse (CRT) Ball Burst Test
D6797 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Fabrics Constant-Rate-of-Extension (CRE) Ball Burst Test
3 3
D7022 Terminology Relating to Apparel (Withdrawn 2022)
4
2.2 AATCC Methods:
8TM8 Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter Method
15TM15 Colorfastness to Perspiration
16.3TM16.3 Colorfastness to Light
23TM23 Colorfastness to Burnt Gas Fumes
61TM61 Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated
106TM106 Colorfastness to Water: Sea
107TM107 Colorfastness to Water
116TM116 Colorfastness to Crocking: Rotary Vertical Crockmeter Method
1
This performance specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.61 on Apparel.
Current edition approved March 15, 2014Jan. 1, 2023. Published April 2014August 2023. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20132014 as
D3996 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D3996-14.14. DOI: 10.1520/D3996-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3996 − 23
129TM129 Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere Under High Humidities
135TM135 Dimensional Changes of Fabrics After Home Laundering
Evaluation Procedure No. 1 Gray Scale for Color Change
Evaluation Procedure No. 2 Gray Scale for Staining
Evaluation Procedure No. 8 AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale
162TM162 Colorfastness to Water Chlorinated Pool
172TM172 Colorfastness to Powdered Non-Chlorine Bleach in Home Laundering
188TM188 Colorfastness to Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach in Home Laundering
EP1 Gray Scale for Color Change
EP2 Gray Scale for Staining
EP8 AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale
5
2.3 Federal Standard:
16 CFR 1610 Standard for Flammability of Clothing Textiles
NOTE 1—Reference to test methods in this specification give only the permanent part of the designation of ASTM, AATCC, or other test methods. The
current editions of each test method cited shall prevail.
3. Terminology
3.1 For all terminology related to D13.61, Apparel, see Terminology D7022.
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard: swimwear.
3.2 For definitions of all other textile term
...