ASTM D3776-96

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

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers 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 either in SI units or U.S. customary units are regarded as standard. U.S. customary units may be approximate.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-1996
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.60 - Fabric Physical Test Methods B

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3776-96(2002) - Standard Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D579/D579M-15 - Standard Specification for Greige Woven Glass Fabrics
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D2646-18 - Standard Guide for Backing Fabric Characteristics of Pile Yarn Floor Coverings
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D6337-98(2019) - Standard Practice for Physical Characterization of Woven Paint Applicator Fabrics
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F1138-21 - Standard Specification for Spray Shields for Mechanical Joints
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F2097-20 - Standard Guide for Design and Evaluation of Primary Flexible Packaging for Medical Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F1891-19 - Standard Specification for Arc and Flame Resistant Rainwear
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F1670/F1670M-17a - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D7507-23 - Standard Specification for Woven High Stretch Fabrics Used in Apparel
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F903-18 - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D1388-23 - Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Fabrics
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D5446-08(2019) - Standard Practice for Determining Physical Properties of Fabrics, Yarns, and Sewing Thread Used in Inflatable Restraints
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D4851-07(2019)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Coated and Laminated Fabrics for Architectural Use
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1996

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3776 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3776; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Methods
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of fabric mass 4.1 Fabric mass is calculated from the mass of a specimen
per unit area (weight) and is applicable to most fabrics. the length and width of which have been measured as directed
1.2 There are four approved options: in one of the procedures in Test Method D 3773 and D 3774.
1.2.1 Option A—Full Piece, Roll, Bolt or Cut (Section 7).
5. Apparatus
1.2.2 Option B—Full Width Sample (Section 8).
1.2.3 Option C—Small Swatch of Fabric (Section 9). 5.1 Scale, with a capacity and sensitivity sufficient to weigh
the full piece, roll, bolt, or cut units to within 60.1 % of their
1.2.4 Option D—Narrow Fabrics (Section 10).
1.3 The values either in SI units or U.S. customary units are gross mass. The accuracy of the scale should be certified by a
regarded as standard. U.S. customary units may be approxi- recognized authority.
5.2 Balance, having a capacity and sensitivity to weigh
mate.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the within 60.1 % of the mass of the specimens being tested.
5.3 Cutting Die, either square or round with an area of at
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2 2
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- least 13 cm or 4 in.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
6. Conditioning
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6.1 Condition test specimens as directed in Practice D 1776.
2. Referenced Documents
6.2 All weighing tests should be made in the standard
2.1 ASTM Standards: atmosphere for testing textiles (20 6 1°C (70 6 2°F),
65 6 2 % RH), after the specimens have been conditioned in
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing the same atmosphere. It may be impractical to condition the
specimens in Option A or nonconditioned testing may be
D 3773 Test Methods for Length of Woven Fabric
D 3774 Test Methods for Width of Woven Fabric agreed upon by the purchaser and supplier. When the full rolls
or bolts of fabric cannot be properly conditioned in a reason-
2.2 Other Standard:
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Inspection by Attributes able time with available facilities, perform the tests without
conditioning and report the actual conditions prevailing at the
3. Terminology
time of the test. Such results may not correspond with the
3.1 Definitions: results obtained after testing adequately conditioned specimens
3.1.1 weight, n—as used with fabrics, mass per unit area. in the standard atmosphere for testing textiles.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Fabric mass per unit area is expressed
7. Option A—Full Piece, Roll, Bolt, or Cut
either as grams per square metre (ounces per square yard), or
7.1 Significance and Use
grams per linear metre (ounces per linear yard). Fabric mass is
also sometimes expressed inversely as linear metres per 7.1.1 Option A for the determination of mass per unit area of
woven fabrics may be used for acceptance testing of commer-
kilograms (yards per pound) with the fabric width stated.
3.2 For definitions of other textile terms used in these test cial shipments since it has been used extensively in the trade.
7.1.2 In case of a dispute arising from differences in
methods, refer to Terminology D 123.
reported test values when using Test Methods D 3776 for
acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on
the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if
Textiles and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Test
there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent
Methods, Specific.
Current edition approved April 10, 1996. Published June 1996. Replaces Sections statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of
35 to 41 of Methods D 1910 – 64 (1975). Originally published as D 3776 – 79. Last
bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
previous edition D 3776 – 85(1990).
specimens which are as homogeneous as possible and which
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vols 07.01.
are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 3776
to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two 8. Option B—Full Width Sample
laboratories should be compared using student’s t-test for
8.1 Significance and Use:
unpaired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the
8.1.1 This procedure is applicable to a full-width sample cut
two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its
from a full piece, roll, bolt, or cut. Unless otherwise specified,
cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the
these results will include selvages and will be on the basis of
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the light of
conditioned fabric.
the known bias.
8.1.2 Option B is not recommended for the acceptance
7.2 Sampling—As a lot sample for acceptance testing, take
testing of commercial shipments, since Option A is regularly
at random the number of rolls of fabric as directed in an
used for that purpose.
applicable material specification or other agreement between
8.2 Sampling:
the purchaser and the supplier. Consider rolls of fabric to be the
8.2.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing,
primary sampling units. Consider the rolls of fabric in the lot
take at random the number of rolls of fabric as directed in an
sample as the laboratory sample and as the test specimens.
applicable material specification or other agreement between
7.3 Procedure:
the purchaser and the supplier. Consider the roll of fabric to be
7.3.1 Measure the length of the full piece, roll, bolt, or cut
the primary sampling units.
by the hand procedure in Test Method D 3773.
8.2.2 Laboratory Sample—From each roll or piece in the lot
7.3.2 Measure the width by the tension-free alternative of
sample, cut—don’t tear—at least one laboratory sample the
Option A of Test Method D 3774.
full width of the fabric and at least 250 mm (10 in.) in length.
7.3.3 Weigh the fabric, with shell and holder, if any, to the The cut edges must be a straight line, free of indentations or
nearest 0.1 % of its mass. bulges, unless both edges have been made to trace parallel
filling yarns. In this procedure the complete laboratory sample
7.3.4 Weigh the holder, if any, to the nearest 0.1 % of its
is used as the specimen.
mass.
8.3 Procedure:
7.4 Calculations:
8.3.1 Measure the length of the conditioned specimen by the
7.4.1 Determine the net weight of the fabric by subtracting
hand procedure of Test Method D 3773.
the weight of the holder from the total weight.
8.3.2 Measure the width by the tension-free alternative of
7.4.2 Dimensions and mass may all be determined in SI
Option A of Test Method D 3774.
units and mass per unit area calculated using Eq 1, Eq 2, or Eq
8.3.3 Weigh the specimen in grams on a scale or balance to
3, as follows:
the nearest 0.1 % of its mass (weight).
2 3
g/m 5 10 M/LW (1)
8.4 Calculations:
g/m 5 10 M/L (2) 8.4.1 Calculate the mass per unit area, mass per linear yard,
or linear yards per pound to three significant figures, unless
m/kg 5 L/M (3)
otherwise specified, using Eq 11, Eq 12, Eq 13, or Eq 14, as
where:
follows:
M 5 mass of fabric, in kilograms,
Mass per unit area:
L 5 length of fabric, in metres, and
oz/yd 5 45.72G/L W (11)
s
W 5 width of fabric, in metres.
Mass per linear yard:
7.4.3 Calculate the mass per unit area, mass per linear yard,
oz/yd 5 1.27G/L (12)
s
or linear yards per pound to three significant figures, unless
Linear yards per pound:
otherwise specified, using Eq 4, Eq 5, Eq 6, or Eq 7, as follows:
yd/lb 5 16/oz per linear yd (13)
Mass per unit area:
yd/lb 5 12.6L /G (14)
2 s
oz/yd 5 576M/LW (4)
Mass per yard:
where:
oz/yd 5 16M/L (5)
G 5 mass of specimen, in grams,
Linear yards per pound:
L 5 length of specimen, in inches, and
s
W 5 width of specimen, in inches.
yd/lb 5 L/M (6)
8.4.2 If preferred, convert the U.S. customary units to SI
yd/lb 5 16 oz/yd (7)
units using Eq 4, Eq 5, or Eq 6 in 7.4.3.
where:
8.4.3 Alternatively, dimensions and mass may all be deter-
M 5 mass of fabric, in pounds,
mined in SI units and calculated using Eq 15, Eq 16, or Eq 17,
L 5 length of fabric, in yards, and
as follows:
W 5 width of fabric, in inches.
Mass per unit area:
7.4.4 If preferred, convert the U.S. customary units to SI
2 6
g/m 5 10 G/L W (15)
s
units using Eq 8, Eq 9, or Eq 10, as follows:
Mass per linear metre:
2 2
Mass, g/m 5 oz/yd 3 33.906 (8)
g/m 5 10 G/L (16)
s
Mass, g/m 5 oz/yd 3 31.000 (9) Linear metres per kilogram:
m/kg 5 yd/lb 3 2.016 (10) m/kg 5 L /G (17)
s
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 3776
where: W 5 width of specimen, in., and
s
G 5 mass of specimen, g L 5 length of specimen, in.
s
L 5 length of specimen, mm, and
9.5.3 If preferred convert t
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