ASTM D3776/D3776M-09a(2013)

Standard Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric

ABSTRACT
These test methods cover the measurement of fabric mass per unit area (weight) and is applicable to most fabrics. There are four approved options in the measurement of fabric mass per unit area: Option A, Option B, Option C, and Option D. Option A may be used for acceptance testing of commercial shipments since it has been used extensively in the trade. The second option is Option B which is applicable to a full-width sample cut from a full piece, roll, bolt, or cut. Unless otherwise specified, these results will include selvages and will be on the basis of conditioned fabric. Option C on the other hand is applicable when a small swatch of fabric is sent to the laboratory to be used as the test specimen. The results are considered to be applicable to the sample only and not necessarily to the lot from which the sample was taken. Measurements by this method do not include selvages and should be reported as such, unless a selvage allowance is specified. The last option is Option D which is intended for use with narrow fabrics as so designated by the trade.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of fabric mass per unit area (weight) and is applicable to most fabrics.  
1.2 There are four approved options:  
1.2.1 Option A—Full Piece, Roll, Bolt or Cut (Section 7).  
1.2.2 Option B—Full Width Sample (Section 8).  
1.2.3 Option C—Small Swatch of Fabric (Section 9).  
1.2.4 Option D—Narrow Fabrics (Section 10).  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.4 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2013
• ICS: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.60 - Fabric Physical Test Methods B

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3776/D3776M-09ae2 - Standard Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Replaced By: ASTM D3776/D3776M-09a(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D1668/D1668M-97a(2021) - Standard Specification for Glass Fabrics (Woven and Treated) for Roofing and Waterproofing
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F1506-22 - Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Electric Arc Rated Protective Clothing Worn by Workers Exposed to Flames and Electric Arcs
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2700-08(2020) - Standard Test Method for Unsteady-State Heat Transfer Evaluation of Flame-Resistant Materials for Clothing with Continuous Heating
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2703-21 - Standard Test Method for Unsteady-State Heat Transfer Evaluation of Flame-Resistant Materials for Clothing with Burn Injury Prediction
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1695-22 - Standard Specification for Fabrication of Flexible Removable and Reusable Blanket Insulation for Hot Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D6040-18 - Standard Guide to Standard Test Methods for Unsintered Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Extruded Film or Tape
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2733-21 - Standard Specification for Flame-Resistant Rainwear for Protection Against Flame Hazards
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2731-18 - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Transmitted and Stored Energy of Firefighter Protective Clothing Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D6413/D6413M-22 - Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F1819-19 - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood Using a Mechanical Pressure Technique
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F1671/F1671M-22 - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D4029/D4029M-23 - Standard Specification for Finished Woven Glass Fabrics
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F1939-15(2020) - Standard Test Method for Radiant Heat Resistance of Flame Resistant Clothing Materials with Continuous Heating
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D3776/D3776M − 09a (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Methods for
Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3776/D3776M; 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. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of fabric
mass per unit area (weight) and is applicable to most fabrics. weight.
3.2 FordefinitionsofallothertextiletermsseeTerminology
1.2 There are four approved options:
1.2.1 Option A—Full Piece, Roll, Bolt or Cut (Section 7). D123.
1.2.2 Option B—Full Width Sample (Section 8).
4. Summary of Test Methods
1.2.3 Option C—Small Swatch of Fabric (Section 9).
4.1 Fabric mass is calculated from the mass of a specimen
1.2.4 Option D—Narrow Fabrics (Section 10).
the length and width of which have been measured as directed
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
in one of the procedures in Test Method D3773 and D3774.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
5. Apparatus
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
5.1 Scale, with a capacity and sensitivity sufficient to weigh
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
the full piece, roll, bolt, or cut units to within 60.1 % of their
with the standard.
gross mass. The accuracy of the scale should be certified by a
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
recognized authority.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.2 Balance, having a capacity and sensitivity to weigh
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
within 60.1 % of the mass of the specimens being tested.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 5.3 Cutting Die, either square or round with an area of at
2 2
least 13 cm or 2 in.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Conditioning
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 Condition test specimens as directed in Practice D1776.
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles 6.2 All weighing tests should be made in the standard
D3773 Test Methods for Length of Woven Fabric
atmosphere for testing textiles (21 6 1°C (70 6 2°F),
D3774 Test Method for Width of Textile Fabric 65 6 2 % RH), after the specimens have been conditioned in
the same atmosphere. It may be impractical to condition the
2.2 Other Standard:
specimens in Option A or nonconditioned testing may be
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Inspection by Attributes
agreed upon by the purchaser and supplier. When the full rolls
or bolts of fabric cannot be properly conditioned in a reason-
able time with available facilities, perform the tests without
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on
conditioning and report the actual conditions prevailing at the
Textiles and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Test
time of the test. Such results may not correspond with the
Methods, Specific.
Current edition approved July 1, 2013. Published September 2013. Replaces resultsobtainedaftertestingadequatelyconditionedspecimens
Sections 35 to 41 of Methods D1910 – 64 (1975). Originally approved in 1979. Last
in the standard atmosphere for testing textiles.
ε2
previous edition approved in 2009 as D3776 – 09a . DOI: 10.1520/D3776_
D3776M-09AR13.
7. Option A—Full Piece, Roll, Bolt, or Cut
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
7.1 Significance and Use
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
7.1.1 OptionAforthedeterminationofmassperunitareaof
the ASTM website.
woven fabrics may be used for acceptance testing of commer-
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. cial shipments since it has been used extensively in the trade.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3776/D3776M − 09a (2013)
7.1.2 In case of a dispute arising from differences in where:
reported test values when using Test Methods D3776 for
M = mass of fabric, in pounds,
acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and
L = length of fabric, in yards, and
the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if W = width of fabric, in inches.
there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent
7.4.4 If preferred, convert the U.S. customary units to SI
statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of
units using Eq 8, Eq 9,or Eq 10, as follows:
bias.As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
2 2
Mass, g/m 5 oz/yd 333.906 (8)
specimens which are as homogeneous as possible and which
are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test Mass, g/m 5 oz/yd 331.000 (9)
specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers
m/kg 5 yd/lb 32.016 (10)
to each laboratory for testing.The average results from the two
laboratories should be compared using student’s t-test for
8. Option B—Full Width Sample
unpaireddataandanacceptableprobabilitylevelchosenbythe
8.1 Significance and Use:
two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its
8.1.1 This procedure is applicable to a full-width sample cut
cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the
from a full piece, roll, bolt, or cut. Unless otherwise specified,
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the light of
these results will include selvages and will be on the basis of
the known bias.
conditioned fabric.
7.2 Sampling—As a lot sample for acceptance testing, take
8.1.2 Option B is not recommended for the acceptance
at random the number of rolls of fabric as directed in an
testing of commercial shipments, since Option A is regularly
applicable material specification or other agreement between
used for that purpose.
thepurchaserandthesupplier.Considerrollsoffabrictobethe
8.2 Sampling:
primary sampling units. Consider the rolls of fabric in the lot
8.2.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing,
sample as the laboratory sample and as the test specimens.
take at random the number of rolls of fabric as directed in an
7.3 Procedure:
applicable material specification or other agreement between
7.3.1 Measure the length of the full piece, roll, bolt, or cut
the purchaser and the supplier. Consider the roll of fabric to be
by the hand procedure in Test Method D3773.
the primary sampling units.
7.3.2 Measure the width by the tension-free alternative of
8.2.2 Laboratory Sample—From each roll or piece in the lot
Option A of Test Method D3774.
sample, cut—don’t tear—at least one laboratory sample the
7.3.3 Weigh the fabric, with shell and holder, if any, to the
full width of the fabric and at least 250 mm (10 in.) in length.
nearest 0.1 % of its mass.
The cut edges must be a straight line, free of indentations or
7.3.4 Weigh the holder, if any, to the nearest 0.1 % of its
bulges, unless both edges have been made to trace parallel
mass.
filling yarns. In this procedure the complete laboratory sample
7.4 Calculations: is used as the specimen.
7.4.1 Determine the net weight of the fabric by subtracting
8.3 Procedure:
the weight of the holder from the total weight.
8.3.1 Measurethelengthoftheconditionedspecimenbythe
7.4.2 Dimensions and mass may all be determined in SI
hand procedure of Test Method D3773.
units and mass per unit area calculated using Eq 1, Eq 2,or Eq
8.3.2 Measure the width by the tension-free alternative of
3, as follows:
Option A of Test Method D3774.
2 3
g/m 5 10 M/LW (1)
8.3.3 Weigh the specimen in grams on a scale or balance to
3 the nearest 0.1 % of its mass (weight).
g/m 5 10 M/L (2)
8.4 Calculations:
m/kg 5 L/M (3)
8.4.1 Calculate the mass per unit area, mass per linear yard,
where:
or linear yards per pound to three significant figures, unless
M = mass of fabric, in kilograms,
otherwise specified, using Eq 11, Eq 12, Eq 13,or Eq 14,as
L = length of fabric, in metres, and
follows:
W = width of fabric, in metres.
Mass per unit area:
7.4.3 Calculate the mass per unit area, mass per linear yard,
oz/yd 5 45.72G/L W (11)
s
or linear yards per pound to three significant figures, unless
Mass per linear yard:
otherwisespecified,usingEq4,Eq5,Eq6,orEq7,asfollows:
oz/yd 5 1.27G/L (12)
s
Mass per unit area:
Linear yards per pound:
oz/yd 5 576M/LW (4)
yd/lb 5 16/oz per linear yd (13)
Mass per yard:
yd/lb 5 12.6L /G (14)
s
oz/yd 5 16M/L (5)
Linear yards per pound: where:
G = mass of specimen, in grams,
yd/lb 5 L/M (6)
L = length of specimen, in inches, and
s
yd/lb 5 16 oz/yd (7)
D3776/D3776M − 09a (2013)
where:
W = width of specimen, in inches.
G = mass of specimen, g
8.4.2 If preferred, convert the U.S. customary units to SI
W = width of fabric, mm
units using Eq 4, Eq 5,or Eq 6 in 7.4.3.
L = length of specimen, mm, and
s
8.4.3 Alternatively, dimensions and mass may all be deter-
W = width of specimen mm.
s
mined in SI units and calculated using Eq 15, Eq 16,or Eq 17,
9.5.2 Calculate the mass in ounces per square yard, ounces
as follows:
per linear yard, or linear yards per pound to three significant
Mass per unit area:
figures using Eq 11 (8.4.1), Eq 19,or Eq 20, as follows:
2 6
g/m 5 10 G/L W (15)
s Mass per linear yar
...