ASTM D6859-18(2024)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Pile Thickness of Finished Level Pile Yarn Floor Coverings
Standard Test Method for Pile Thickness of Finished Level Pile Yarn Floor Coverings
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The determination of pile thickness of level pile yarn floor covering is useful in quality and cost control during the manufacture of pile yarn floor covering. The appearance and performance may be affected by changes in pile thickness of pile yarn floor coverings. This test method is considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments because current estimates of between laboratory precision are acceptable, and this test method is commonly used in the trade for acceptance testing.
5.2 If there are differences of practical significance between reported test results for two laboratories (or more), comparative tests should be performed to determine if there is a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assistance. As a minimum, use the samples for such comparative tests that are as homogenous as possible, drawn from the same lot of material as the samples that resulted in disparate results during initial testing and randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory. The test results from the laboratories involved should be compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, a probability level chosen prior to the testing series. If a bias is found either its cause must be found and corrected, or future test results for that material must be adjusted in consideration of the known bias.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of pile thickness of finished level pile yarn floor covering using a thickness measuring instrument having a stationary surface (platen), a circular pressure foot under specified force, and capable of being moved vertically above the platen.
1.2 This test method is applicable only to finished level loop, cutpile and cut & loop constructions with tuft heights less than 0.25 in. (6 mm).
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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
Relations
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: D6859 − 18 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Test Method for
Pile Thickness of Finished Level Pile Yarn Floor Coverings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6859; 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 Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
Lot or Process
1.1 This test method covers the determination of pile
thickness of finished level pile yarn floor covering using a
3. Terminology
thickness measuring instrument having a stationary surface
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to Pile Floor Coverings,
(platen), a circular pressure foot under specified force, and
D13.21, refer to Terminology D5684. See also Annex A1.
capable of being moved vertically above the platen.
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
1.2 This test method is applicable only to finished level
carpet, finished, finished pile yarn floor covering, floor
loop, cutpile and cut & loop constructions with tuft heights less
covering, pile, pile thickness, pile yarn floor covering, pitch.
than 0.25 in. (6 mm).
primary backing, shorn pile, stubble, stubble height, textile
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
floor covering, tufted fabric.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2 For all other terminology related to textiles, refer to
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Terminology D123.
and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 The total thickness of an unsheared strip specimen is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measured as the distance between two parallel plates exerting
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
a specified pressure on the test specimen. The pile yarn of the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
strip specimen is sheared down to a stubble. The backing
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
thickness of the sheared strip specimen is measured as the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
distance between two parallel plates exerting a different speci-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
fied pressure on the sheared strip specimen. The difference
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
between the two measurements is the pile thickness.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The determination of pile thickness of level pile yarn
2. Referenced Documents
floor covering is useful in quality and cost control during the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
manufacture of pile yarn floor covering. The appearance and
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
performance may be affected by changes in pile thickness of
D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Tex-
pile yarn floor coverings. This test method is considered
tiles
satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments
D5684 Terminology Relating to Pile Floor Coverings
because current estimates of between laboratory precision are
D5823 Test Method for Tuft Height of Pile Floor Coverings
acceptable, and this test method is commonly used in the trade
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With
for acceptance testing.
5.2 If there are differences of practical significance between
reported test results for two laboratories (or more), compara-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles
tive tests should be performed to determine if there is a
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.21 on Pile Floor Coverings.
statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assis-
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2024. Published January 2024. Originally
tance. As a minimum, use the samples for such comparative
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D6859–18. DOI:
10.1520/D6859-18R24.
tests that are as homogenous as possible, drawn from the same
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
lot of material as the samples that resulted in disparate results
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
during initial testing and randomly assigned in equal numbers
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. to each laboratory. The test results from the laboratories
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6859 − 18 (2024)
involved should be compared using a statistical test for 7.2.1 Having a stationary surface (plate) on which to place
unpaired data, a probability level chosen prior to the testing the specimen, and a presser foot capable of being moved
series. If a bias is found either its cause must be found and vertically above the plate, at least 1 in. (25 mm) from the plate.
corrected, or future test results for that material must be 7.2.2 Having two interchangeable presser feet; one 1.000 in.
adjusted in consideration of the known bias. 6 0.001 in. (25.40 mm 6 0.03 mm) diameter, the other 2.250
in. 6 0.001 in. (57.15 mm 6 0.003 mm) in diameter.
7.2.3 Having means for indicating the vertical distance
6. Sampling Units and Test Specimens
between the presser foot and the plate to the nearest 0.001 in.
6.1 Sampling Units:
(0.03 mm) and capable of developing and indicating a force up
6.1.1 Coated Floor Covering—The basic sampling unit of
to 0.6 lbf (2.77 n) between the presser foot and the plate.
coated floor covering is a shipping roll. The number of
shipping rolls obtained from each production roll ranges from
8. Conditioning
one to over ten.
8.1 Condition the test sample or test specimens in the
6.2 Lot Sample—Take a lot sample as directed in Practice
standard atmosphere for testing textiles as directed in Practice
E122 when statistical knowledge of the product variability and
D1776/D1776M.
test method precision is available, and a decision has been
made on the maximum deviation that can be tolerated between
9. Procedure
the estimate to be made from the sample and the result that
9.1 Total Thickness:
would be obtained by measuring every sampling unit of the lot.
9.1.1 Select the number and location of the test specimens
Otherwise the number of sampling units in a lot sample and the
as directed in Section 6. Prepare the test specimens according
use of the test results obtained from the individual test samples
to the procedures listed in Section 8. The test specimens shall
shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s quality control
be 10.0 in. 6 0.1 in. (250 mm 6 3 mm) in the lengthwise
program or with the specification agreed upon between the
direction and 12.5 in. 6 0.1 in. (320 mm 6 3 mm) in the
purchaser and supplier.
widthwise direction. The test specimens may be prepared
6.3 Laboratory Sampling Unit—A laboratory sampling unit
according to the examples in Appendix X1.
shall consist of a full width section of floor covering cut from
9.1.2 Select a strip specimen from each of the test speci-
one end of each roll in the lot sample and shall be at least 4 in.
mens. The strip specimens shall be 10.0 in. 6 0.1 in. (250 mm
(100 mm) longer than the specimens required for the tests
6 3 mm) in the lengthwise direction and 2.5 in. 6 0.1 in. (64
being conducted. Do not cut a laboratory sampling unit of
mm 6 3 mm) in the widthwise direction and shall be
coated floor covering from a seam end of a production roll.
conditioned as directed in Section 8.
6.4 Test Specimens:
9.1.3 Attach the 2.250 in. (57.15 mm) diameter presser foot
loosely to the moveable stem or head of the instrument and
6.4.1 A test specimen is a designated area cut from a
laboratory sampling unit. For laboratory sampling units 120 in. bring the diameter presser foot into firm contact with the plate.
Tighten the presser foot on the stem.
(3000 mm) wide or wider, three test specimens are required for
a test method, one at each edge no nearer to the edge than 5 % 9.1.4 Check the instrument zero by lowering the presser foot
of the total floor covering width and one in the middle portion into contact with the plate until the indicated pressure increases
of laboratory sampling unit. For laboratory sampling units at to the pressure to be used in measuring the indicated distance
least 60 in. (1500 mm) wide but less than 120 in. (3000 mm), between the foot and the plate, which must read 0 6 0.001 in.
take two test specimens, one at each edge no nearer to the edge (6 0.03 mm). If the reading is not within this range, make an
than 5 % of the total floor covering width. For laboratory adjustment appropriate to the type of instrument being used.
sampling units less than 60 in. (1500 mm) wide, take one test Verify the instrument with calibrated thickness blocks.
specimen from the middle. 9.1.5 For each strip specimen, raise the presser foot and
center the specimen, pile face up, on the plate under the foot.
6.4.2 Where it is known that systematic variations in a floor
Lower the presser foot slowly (take about 5 s to apply full load)
covering characteristic may occur in bands 18 in. (460 mm) or
onto the pile surface until a pressure of 0.100 psi 6 0.003 psi
more in width, as with a modular pattern device having
(689 Pa 6 21 Pa) is exerted on the specimen. Read the distance
separate controls or adjustments for each module, take test
specimens from the middle of each band. between the presser foot and the plate to the nearest 0.001 in.
(0.03 mm), determine the total thickness in three different areas
6.4.3 When a full-width laboratory sampling unit is not
for each strip specimen and record the average as the total
available, take test specimens as directed in 6.4, and state in the
thickness, T.
report the width available and the number of test specimens
9.1.6 Shear the pile on the strip specimen down to a stubble
taken.
measuring approximately 0.05 in. (1.3 mm).
7. Apparatus
NOTE 1—Both adhesive projections and a fiber layer needle punched to
the surface of the backing can interfere with shearing the pile down to a
7.1 Shear or Clipper, capable of shearing close enough to
stubble of 0.05 in. (1.3 mm). Therefore, a seven and one half fold increase
the backing to leave a stubble of no more than 0.05 in. (1.3
in pressure in measuring the thickness of the stubble specimen is used to
mm).
level out minor variations in stubble height.
7.2 Thickness Measuring Instrument: 9.2 Backing Thickness:
D6859 − 18 (2024)
TABLE 1 Components of Variance Expressed as Standard
9.2.1 Attach the 1.000 in. (25.40 mm) diameter presser foot
A
Deviations
loosely to the stem and bring the presser foot into firm contact
Single Material Single Material
with the plate. Tighten the presser foot on the stem. Check the
Variance
Comparisons for Comparisons for
Component
instrument zero as directed in 9.1.4.
Loop Pile Carpet Cut Pile Carpet
9.2.2 For each stubble specimen, raise the presser foot and
Within Laboratory 0.002 0.005
Between Laboratory 0.011 0.006
center the specimen, stubble side up, on the plate. Lower the
A
presser foot onto the stubble surface until a pressure of 0.75 psi
The square roots of the components of variance are being reported to express
the variability in the appropriate units of measure rather than as the squares of
6 0.01 psi (5170 Pa 6 69 Pa) is exerted on the stubble
those units of measure.
specimen. Read the distance between the presser foot and the
plate to the nearest 0.01 in. (0.03 mm), determine the backing
thickness in three different areas for of each strip specimen and
TABLE 2 Critical Differences for Two Averages for the Conditions
record the average as the backing thickness, B.
Noted, 95 % Probability Level, Pile Thickness in Inches for Loop
Pile Carpet
10. Calculation
Single Material Comparisons
Number of
10.1 A test result is the average of the measurements made
Between
Within Laboratory
Determinations
Laboratory
on a set of test specimens described in 6.4. In this method,
Precision
Precision
directions are given only for obtaining a test result from one
1 0.0056 0.0299
test specimen. The value representative of the lot being
2 0.0040 0.0296
sampled will be the average of the test results from each 3 0.0033 0.0295
5 0.0025 0.0294
laboratory sampling unit.
10.2 For each strip specimen calculate the pile thickness
using Eq 1.
12.2 Interlaboratory Test Data—An interlaboratory test was
P 5 T 2 B (1) run in 2000 in which randomly drawn samples of four
materials were tested in each of five laboratories. One operator
where:
in each laboratory each tested two specimens of each material
P = pile thickness, in. (mm),
using Test Method D6859. One of the two specimens was
T = average total thickness, in. (mm), and
tested on one day and one specimen was tested on a second
B = average backing thickness, in. (mm).
day. Analysis of the data was conducted using standard
10.2.1 Calculate the average values of pile thickness and
statistical practice. The components of variance for Pile Thick-
total thickness from average values obtained on individual strip
ness expressed as standard deviations were calculated to the
specimens to the nearest 0.01 in. (0.03 mm) for each laboratory
values listed in Table 1. The material; types were:
sampling unit.
Material A: 1/10 Gauge Level Loop
Material B: 1/10 Gauge Level Loop
10.3 Calculate the average values of pile thickness and total
Material C: 1/10 Gauge Cut Pile
thickness for the lot from average values obtained from all
Material D: 1/10 Gauge Cut Pile Graphics
laboratory sampling units in the lot to the nearest 0.01 in. (0.3
12.3 Precision—For the components of variance reported in
mm).
Table 1, two averages of observed values should be considered
significantly different at the 95 % probability level if the
11. Report
difference equals the critical difference listed in Tables 2 and 3.
11.1 State the test sample was tested as directed in Test
There were sufficient differences related to the material type
Method D6859 for determining the pile thickness of level pile
and structure to warrant listing the components of variance and
yarn floor covering. Describe the material or product samp
...
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