ASTM D5732-95

Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Nonwoven Fabrics Using the Cantilever Test

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers stiffness properties of nonwoven fabrics by employing the principle of cantilever bending of the fabric under its own weight. Bending length is measured and flexural rigidity calculated.
1.2 This test method applies to most nonwoven fabrics that are treated or untreated, including those heavily sized, coated, or resin-treated.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses may be approximate.
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: 14-Jun-1995
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.90 - Executive

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5732-95(2001) - Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Nonwoven Fabrics Using the Cantilever Test (Withdrawn 2008)
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D1388-23 - Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Fabrics
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D6828-02(2019) - Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Fabric by Blade/Slot Procedure
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-1995

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 5732 – 95
Standard Test Method for
Stiffness of Nonwoven Fabrics Using the Cantilever Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5732; 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 in the absence of any tension.
3.1.4 machine direction, MD, n—the direction in the plane
1.1 This test method covers stiffness properties of non-
of the fabric parallel to the direction of manufacture.
woven fabrics by employing the principle of cantilever bending
3.1.4.1 Discussion—In nonwoven fabrics, the term machine
of the fabric under its own weight. Bending length is measured
direction is used to refer to the direction analogous to length-
and flexural rigidity calculated.
wise or warp direction in a woven fabric.
1.2 This test method applies to most nonwoven fabrics that
3.1.5 nonwoven fabric, n—a textile structure produced by
are treated or untreated, including those heavily sized, coated,
bonding or interlocking of fibers, or both, accomplished by
or resin-treated.
mechanical, chemical, thermal, or solvent means, or combina-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
tion thereof.
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses may be
3.1.6 stiffness, n—resistance to bending.
approximate.
3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this test method,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
refer to Terminology D 123.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Summary of Test Method
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 A specimen is slid at a specified rate in a direction
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
parallel to its long dimension, so that its leading edge projects
2. Referenced Documents from the edge of a horizontal surface. The length of the
overhang is measured when the tip of the specimen is de-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pressed under its own weight to the point where the line joining
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textile Materials
the top to the edge of the platform makes a 0.785 rad (41.5°)
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing
angle with the horizontal. The stiffer the fabric, the longer it
D 2904 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of a Textile Test
takes to bend, thus, the higher numbers indicate a stiffer fabric.
Method That Produces Normally Distributed Data
5. Significance and Use
3. Terminology
5.1 This test method may be used for acceptance testing of
3.1 Definitions:
commercial shipments of nonwoven fabrics, however, caution
3.1.1 bending length, n—in textiles, a measure of the
is advised since information about between-laboratory preci-
interaction between fabric weight and fabric stiffness as shown
sion is incomplete. A comparative test as directed in 5.1.1 may
by the way in which a fabric bends under its own weight.
be advisable.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Bending length reflects the stiffness of
5.1.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in
a fabric when bent in one plane under the force of gravity and
reported test results when using this test method for acceptance
is one component of drape.
testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
3.1.2 cross-machine direction, CD, n—the direction in the
plier should conduct a comparative test to determine if there is
plane of the fabric perpendicular to the direction of manufac-
a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statis-
ture.
tical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In nonwoven fabrics, the term cross-
As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
machine direction is used to refer to the direction analogous to
specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are
crosswise or filling direction in a woven fabric.
from a lot of material of the type in question. Test specimens
3.1.3 flexural rigidity, n—a measure of stiffness, the couple
should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each
on either end of a strip or unit width bent into unit curvature,
laboratory for testing. The average results from the two
laboratories should be compared using the appropriate Stu-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on Textiles dent’s t-test and an acceptable probability level chosen by the
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.64 on Nonwoven Fabric.
two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its
Current edition approved June 15, 1995. Published September 1995.
cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 5732
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the view of pieces, of fabric to be the primary sampling units. In the
the known bias. absence of such an agreement, take the number of fabric rolls
5.2 This test method measures the drape stiffness of the specified in Table 1.
nonwoven fabric. This test is not, however, suitable for very
NOTE 1—An adequate specification or other agreement between the
limp fabrics or those that show a marked tendency to curl or
purchaser and supplier requires taking into account the variability between
twist.
rolls or pieces of fabric and between specimens from a swatch from a roll
or pieces of fabric to provide a sampling plan with a meaningful
6. Apparatus
producer’s risk, consumer’s risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting
3 quality level.
6.1 Cantilever Bending Tester (Fig. 1):
6.1.1 Horizontal Platform, with a minimum area of 38 by
7.2 Laboratory Sample—For the laboratory sample, take a
200 mm (1.5 by 8 in.) and having a smooth low-friction, flat swatch extending the width of the fabric and approximately 1
surface such as polished metal or plastic. A leveling bubble
m (1 yd) along the machine direction from each roll, or piece,
shall be incorporated in the platform. in the lot sample. For rolls of fabric, take a sample that will
6.1.2 Indicator, inclined at an angle of 0.724 rad (41.5°)
exclude fabric from the outer wrap of the roll or the inner wrap
below the plane of the platform surface. around the core.
6.1.3 Movable Slide, consisting of a metal bar not less than 7.3 Test Specimens—From each laboratory sampling unit,
25 by 200 mm (1 by 8 in.) by approximately 3 mm ( ⁄8 in.)
take five specimens from the machine direction and five
thick and having a mass of 270 6 5 g (0.6 6 0.01 lb). specimens from the cross-machine direction as applicable to a
6.1.4 Scale and Pointer, to measure the length of the
material specification or contract order. For nonwoven fabrics,
overhang. take specimens only in the machine direction unless otherwise
6.1.5 Motorized Specimen Feed Unit, set for 120 mm/min
specified.
(4 ⁄4 in./min), preferred. Manual units are permitted. 7.3.1 Direction of Test—Consider the long dimension as the
6.2 Analytical Balance, having a capacity and sensitivity to
direction of the test.
weigh within 6 0.1 % of the weight of the specimens being 7.3.2 Specimen Size and Direction of Test—Cut test speci-
tested.
mens 25 by 200 mm 61mm(1by8in. 6 0.002 in.). Take the
6.3 Cutting Die,25by200mm 61mm(1by8in. 6 0.002 specimens for the measurement of the machine direction from
in.).
different positions across the fabric width with the longer
dimension parallel to the machine direction. Take the speci-
mens for the measurement of the cross-machine direction from
different positions along the length of the fabric with the longer
dimension parallel to the cross-machine direction. Label to
maintain specimen identity.
7.3.2.1 Cut specimens representing a broad distribution
across the width of the laboratory sample and no nearer the
edge than one tenth its width. Ensure specimens are free of
folds, creases, or wrinkles. Avoid getting oil, water, grease, and
so forth, on the specimens when handling.
8. Conditioning
8.1 No conditioning is required unless otherwise specified
in a material specification or contract order.
8.2 When specified, precondition the specimens by bringing
them to approximate moisture equilibrium in the standard
atmosphere for preconditioning textiles as directed in Practice
D 1776.
FIG. 1 Cantilever Bending Tester
8.3 After preconditioning, bring the test specimens to mois-
ture equilibrium for testing in the standard atmosphere for
7. Sampling and Test Specimens testing textiles as directed in Practice D 1776 or, if applicable,
in the specified atmosphere in which the testing is to be
7.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing,
performed.
take at random the number of rolls, or pieces, of fabric directed
in an applicable material specification or other agreement
between the purchaser and the supplier. Consider the rolls, or
TABLE 1 Number of Rolls, or Pieces, of Fabric in the Lot Sample
Number of Rolls, Number of Rolls or Pieces in Lot,
Pieces in Lot, Inclusive Sample
The F.R.L. cantilever bending tester has been found suitable and is available
1to3 all
from Testing Machines, Inc., 400 Bayview Ave., Amityville, NY 11710; U.S.
4to24 4
Testing, 1415 Park Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030; and FAST (The Wool Bureau, Inc.,
25 to 50 5
U.S. Branch-International Wool Secretariat, Technical Service Center), 225 Cross-
over 50 10 % to a maximum of ten rolls or pieces
ways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797-0403.
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