ISO/TC 38/SC 2/WG 8 - Water resistance tests

This document specifies a test for measuring the resistance of fabrics to the penetration of water by impact. It can be used to predict the probable rain penetration resistance of textile fabrics. This document is applicable to any textile fabric, whether or not it has been given a water-resistant or water-repellent finish. It is especially suitable for measuring apparel fabrics. Testing at different intensities of water impact gives a complete picture of the penetration resistance of a single fabric or combination of fabrics. The test is particularly suitable when measuring highly water-resistant fabrics with low amounts of water penetration.

ISO 811:2018 specifies a hydrostatic pressure method for determining the resistance of fabrics to penetration by water. The method is applicable to all types of fabrics which are intended to be water resistant whether or not they have been given a water-resistant or water-repellent finish.

ISO 15496:2018 describes a comparatively simple method for testing the water vapour permeability of textiles that will provide the manufacturer with a clearly recognized method for quality control within the plant. The simple test method described in this document is not applicable for classifying the water vapour resistance of textiles against values relating to physiological effects specified in product standards, and particularly not those relating to personal protective equipment. The method can be used for quality control but has some limitation in relation to ISO 11092, which gives a more comprehensive and relevant result for evaluation of water vapour penetration. Annex A provides further explanation of applicability. ISO 15496:2018 cannot be used to compare results to other "dry dessicant" methods as they will not correlate. An explanation of the reasons can be found in Annex C.

ISO 4920:2012 specifies a spray test method for determining the resistance of any fabric, which might or might not have been given a water‑resistant or water‑repellent finish, to surface wetting by water. It is not intended for use in predicting the rain-penetration resistance of fabrics, since it does not measure penetration of water through the fabric.

ISO 14419:2010 is applicable to the evaluation of a substrate's resistance to absorption of a selected series of liquid hydrocarbons of different surface tensions. ISO 14419:2010 is intended to provide a guide to oil stain resistance. It can provide a rough index of oil stain resistance as, generally, the higher the oil repellency grade, the better resistance to staining by oily materials, especially liquid oil substances. This is particularly true when comparing various finishes for a given substrate. ISO 14419:2010 can also be utilized in determining if washing and/or drycleaning treatments have any adverse effect on the oil repellency characteristics of a substrate. ISO 14419:2010 is not intended to give an absolute measure of the resistance of the substrate to staining by all oily materials. Other factors, such as composition and viscosity of the oily substances, substrate construction, fibre type, dyes and other finishing agents, also influence stain resistance. ISO 14419:2010 is not intended to estimate the resistance to penetration of the substrate by oil-based chemicals.

ISO 23232:2009 provides a guide for aqueous stain resistance. It can provide a rough index of aqueous stain resistance as, generally, the higher the aqueous liquid repellency grade, the better the resistance to staining by water/alcohol-based materials, especially water/alcohol-based liquids. This is particularly true when comparing various finishes for a given substrate. ISO 23232:2009 can also be utilized for determining if washing and/or dry-cleaning treatments have any adverse effects on the aqueous liquid repellency characteristics of a substrate. It is recommended that the washing and/or dry-cleaning treatment procedures described in ISO 6330 or ISO 3175 be used for this purpose. ISO 23232:2009 is not intended to give an absolute measure of the resistance of the substrate to staining by water/alcohol-based substances. Other factors, such as the composition and viscosity of the water/alcohol-based substances, substrate construction, fibre type, dyes and other finishing agents also influence stain resistance. SO 23232:2009 is not intended to estimate the resistance to penetration of the substrate by water/alcohol-based chemicals; for this evaluation, see ISO 6530.

ISO 18695:2007 is applicable to any textile fabric, which may or may not have been given a water-resistant or water-repellent finish. It measures the resistance of fabrics to the penetration of water by low impact, and thus can be used to predict the probable rain penetration resistance of apparel fabrics. The test is best suited for fabrics of medium to loose construction where the Bundesmann rain-shower test (ISO 9865), or Rain Test (ISO 22958) is too severe. Fabrics that do not lie flat under tension are not applicable.

ISO 18696:2006 is applicable to any textile fabric, which may or may not have been given a water-resistant or water-repellent finish. It measures the resistance of fabrics to wetting by water by the tumble-jar absorption test. It is particularly suitable for measuring the water-repellent efficacy of finishes applied to fabrics, because it subjects the treated fabrics to dynamic conditions similar to those often encountered during actual use. The test is not intended for use in predicting rain-penetration resistance of fabrics, since it measures absorption of water into, but not through, the fabric. It is intended to determine a fabric's ability to resist water absorption and can be used to predict the probable weight gain of a garment in actual use. The test is best suited for fabrics used in garments for severe wet environmental conditions over an extended time.

Describes the principle, the atmosphere for conditioning and testing, the preparation of test specimens, the apparatus and materials, the equipment calibration, the procedure, the expression of results and the contents of the test report.

ISO 22958:2005 is applicable to any textile fabric, which may or may not have been given a water-resistant or water-repellent finish. It measures the resistance of fabrics to the penetration of water by impact, and thus can be used to predict the probable rain penetration resistance of textile fabrics. It is especially suitable for measuring apparel fabrics. Tests may be made at different intensities of water impact to give a complete picture of the penetration resistance of a single fabric or combination of fabrics. The test is particularly suitable when measuring highly water resistant fabrics with low amounts of water penetration.

ISO 15496:2004 describes a comparatively simple method for testing the water vapour permeability of textiles that will provide the manufacturer with a clearly recognized method for quality control within the plant. It is not applicable for classifying the water vapour resistance of textiles against values relating to physiological effects specified in product standards, and particularly not those relating to personal protective equipment.

A specimen is subjected to a steadily increasing pressure of water on one face, under standard conditions, until penetration occurs in three places. The water pressure may be applied from below or from above the test specimen. The hydrostatic head supported by a fabric is a measure of the resistance to the passage of water through the fabric.

The method is applicable to all fabrics which may or may not have been given a water-resistant or water-repellent finish. It is not intended to predict the rain penetration resistance of fabrics, since it does not measure penetration of water through the fabric. Before testing carried out the specimen shall be conditioned for at least 24 h in the standard atmosphere for testing textiles.