ASTM D3996-02(2008)

Standard Performance Specification for Knit Swimwear Fabrics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
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.
In such cases, any references to the specification shall specify that: “This fabric meets ASTM Specification D 3996 except for the following characteristic(s).”
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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2008
• ICS: 61.020 - Clothes
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.61 - Apparel

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3996-02 - Standard Performance Specification for Knit Swimwear Fabrics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D3996-13 - Standard Performance Specification for Knit Swimwear Fabrics
• 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D3996 −02(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Performance Specification for
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 61 Colorfastness to Washing, Domestic, and Laundering,
Commercial: Accelerated
1.1 This performance specification covers circular and warp
106 Colorfastness to Water: Sea
knitted fabrics for use in knit swimwear, composed of any
107 Colorfastness to Water
textile fiber or mixture of textile fibers.
116 Colorfastness to Crocking: Rotary Vertical Crockmeter
1.2 These requirements apply to both the length and width
Method
directions for those properties where fabric direction is perti-
129 Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere Under High
nent.
Humidities
1.3 The following precautionary statement pertains only to
135 Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home Laundering
the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification. This
of Durable Press Woven or Knit Fabrics
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
Evaluation Procedure No. 1 Gray Scale for Color Change
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
Evaluation Procedure No. 2 Gray Scale for Staining
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
Evaluation Procedure No. 3 AATCC Chromatic Transfer-
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
ence Scale
tions prior to use.
162 Colorfastness to Water Chlorinated Pool
172 Colorfastness to Non-Chlorine Bleach in Home Laun-
2. Referenced Documents
dering
2.1 ASTM Standards:
188 Colorfastness to Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach in Home
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
Laundering
D2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for
2.3 Federal Standard:
Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)
16 CFR 1610 Standard for Flammability of Clothing Tex-
D3786 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile
tiles
Fabrics—Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method
D3787 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textiles—
NOTE 1—Reference to test methods in this specification give only the
Constant-Rate-of-Traverse (CRT) Ball Burst Test
permanent part of the designation of ASTM, AATCC, or other test
2.2 AATCC Methods: methods. The current editions of each test method cited shall prevail.
8 Colorfastness to Crocking: AATCC Crockmeter Method
3. Terminology
15 Colorfastness to Perspiration
16 Colorfastness to Light
3.1 Definitions:
23 Colorfastness to Burnt Gas Fumes
3.1.1 swimwear—textile garments intended for wear in
fresh, chlorinated, or salt water.
This performance specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
3.2 For definitions of textile terms used in this specification,
D13 on Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.61 on
refer to the individual ASTM and AATCC test methods and
Apparel.
Terminology D123.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D3996 – 02. DOI:
10.1520/D3996-02R08.
4. Specification Requirements
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.1 The properties of fabrics for knitted swimwear shall
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
conform to the specification requirements in Table 1.
the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org.
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
(AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http:// Available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
www.aatcc.org. Washington, DC 20407.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
D3996−02 (2008)
TABLE 1 Specification Requirements
5.4 Thesignificanceanduseofparticularpropertiesandtest
methods are discussed in the appropriate sections of the
NOTE 1—The classes of colorfastness and DP rating are based on a
specified test methods.
numerical scale of 5 for negligible or no color change, color transfer, or
wrinkle to 1 for very severe color change, color transfer, or wrinkle.
Characteristic Requirements Section
6. Sampling
Bursting strength (ball burst) 30 lbf (133 N), min 7.1
6.1 AcceptanceTestingLot—Unlessthereisprioragreement
Dimensional change:
Laundering: 7.2.1 consider as a lot for acceptance testing all material of a single
Nonstretch fabrics 5.0 % max in each direction
item received as a single shipment.
Stretch fabrics 7.5 % max in each direction
Wet relaxation or growth: 7.2.2
6.2 Lot Samples and Laboratory Samples—For acceptance
Stretch fabrics 10.0 % max in each direction
testing, take lot samples and laboratory samples as directed in
Dry relaxation or growth 5.0 % max in each direction 7.2.3
Colorfastness:
each of the applicable test methods.
Burnt Gas Fumes—1 cycle: 7.3.1
A
Shade change, original fabric Class 4 min
6.3 Test Specimens—Takethenumberofspecimensdirected
and after 1 laundering
in each of the applicable test methods. Perform the tests on the
A
Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach Class 4 min 7.3.10
A
fabric as it will reach the customer.Any “partially finished” or
Non-Chlorine Bleach Class 4 min 7.3.11
Laundering: 7.3.2
“post-finished” fabrics should be processed in accordance with
A
Shade change Class 4 min
the fabric manufacturer’s instructions.
B
Staining Class 3 min
Crocking: 7.3.3
6.4 If the applicable test method does not specify the
C
Dry Class 4 min
C
number of specimens, use the procedures in Practice D2905 to
Wet Class3min
Water: 7.3.4
determine the number of specimens per laboratory sampling
A
Shade change Class 4, min
unit. Use (1) a reliable estimate of the variability of individual
B
Staining Class 3 min
observations on similar materials in the user’s laboratory, (2) a
Perspiration: 7.3.5
A
Shade change Class 4 min
95 % probability level, and (3) an allowable difference of 5 %
B
Staining Class 3 min
of the average between the test results on laboratory sampling
D
Chlorinated pool water . 7.3.6
units and the average for the laboratory sampling unit. The
Sea water: 7.3.7
A
Shade change Class 4 min
average for a laboratory
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D3996–95 Designation: D 3996 – 02 (Reapproved 2008)
Standard Performance Specification for
Knit Swimwear Fabrics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3996; 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior
to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D 2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for Textiles
D 3786Test Method for Hydraulic Bursting Strength of Knitted Goods and Nonwoven Fabrics—Diaphragm Bursting Strength
Tester Method Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile FabricsDiaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method
D 3787 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Knitted Goods—Constant-Rate-of-Traverse TextilesConstant-Rate-of-Traverse
(CRT) Ball Burst Test
2.2 AATCC Methods:
8 Colorfastness to Crocking: AATCC Crockmeter Method
15 Colorfastness to Perspiration
16 Colorfastness to Light
23 Colorfastness to Burnt Gas Fumes
61 Colorfastness to Washing, Domestic, and Laundering, Commercial: Accelerated
106 Colorfastness to Water: Sea
107 Colorfastness to Water
116 Colorfastness to Crocking: Rotary Vertical Crockmeter Method
129 Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere Under High Humidities
135 Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home Laundering of Durable Press Woven or Knit Fabrics
Evaluation Procedure No. 1 Gray Scale for Color Change
Evaluation Procedure No. 2 Gray Scale for Staining
Evaluation Procedure No. 3 AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale
162 Colorfastness to Water Chlorinated Pool Colorfastness to Water Chlorinated Pool
172 Colorfastness to Non-Chlorine Bleach in Home Laundering
188 Colorfastness to Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach in Home Laundering
2.3 Federal Standard:
16 CFR 1610 Standard for Flammability of Clothing Textiles
This 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 May 15, 1995. Published July 1995. Originally published as D3996–81. Last previous edition D3996–92.
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 Aug. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 3996 – 02.
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 07.01.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://www.aatcc.org.
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Available from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20407.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959, United States.
D 3996 – 02 (2008)
NOTE 1—Reference to test methods in this specification give only the permanent part of the designation ofASTM,AATCC, or other test methods. The
current editions of each test method cited shall prevail.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definition:
3.1.1 swimwear—textile garments intended for wear in fresh, chlorinated, or salt water.
3.2 For definitions of textile terms used in this specification, refer to the individual ASTM and AATCC test methods and
Terminology D 123.
4. Specification Requirements
4.1 The properties of fabrics for knitted swimwear shall conform to the specification requirements in Table 1.
5. 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 meetsASTM Specification D 3996 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.
TABLE 1 Specification Requirements
NOTE 1—The classes of colorfastness and DP rating are based on a
numerical scale of 5 for negligible or no color change, color transfer, or
wrinkle to 1 for very severe color change, color transfer, or wrinkle.
Characteristic Requirements Section
Bursting strength (ball burst) 30 lbf (133 N), min 7.1
Dimensional change:
Laundering: 7.2.1
Nonstretch fabrics 5.0 % max in each direction
Stretch fabrics 7.5 % max in each direction
Wet relaxation or growth: 7.2.2
Stretch fabrics 10.0 % max in each direction
Dry relaxation or growth 5.0 % max in each direction 7.2.3
Colorfastness:
Burnt Gas Fumes—1 cycle: 7.3.1
A
Shade change, original fabric Class 4 min
and after 1 laundering
A
Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach Class 4 min 7.3.10
A
Non-Chlorine Bleach Class 4 min 7.3.11
Laundering: 7.3.2
A
Shade change Class 4 min
B
Staining Class 3 min
Crocking: 7.3.3
C
Dry Class 4 min
C
Wet Class3min
Water: 7.3.4
A
Shade change Class 4, min
B
...