AATCC Test Method 127-2003

Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test

Developed in 1968 by AATCC Commit- 5. Apparatus and Materials 9.2 The material and the side tested.
tee RA63; reaffirmed 1971, 1974, 1977, 9.3 Water temperature and type.
1980, 1989, 2003; editorially revised 5.1 Hydrostatic Tester. 9.4 Gradient (rate of increasing water
1982, 1986, 2006; editorially revised 5.1.1 For Option 1, Hydrostatic Pres- pressure).
and reaffirmed 1985; revised 1995, sure Tester (see 11.1). 9.5 Tester option used.
1998. Related to ISO 811. 5.1.2 For Option 2, Hydrostatic Head 9.6 Any modification to the method.
Tester (see 11.2).
5.2 Water, distilled or de-ionized. 10. Precision and Bias
1. Purpose and Scope
6. Test Specimens 10.1 Precision. The test results are
1.1 This test method measures the re-
tester dependent. Precision statements for
sistance of a fabric to the penetration of 6.1 A minimum of three fabric speci- each tester are given in 10.2 and 10.3.
water under hydrostatic pressure. It is ap- mens should be taken diagonally across
plicable to all types of fabrics, including 10.2 Suter Hydrostatic Pressure Tester
the width of the fabric to be representa- (Option 1).
those treated with a water resistant or wa- tive of the material. Cut specimens at
ter repellent finish. 10.2.1 In 1993, a limited interlabora-
least 200 × 200 mm to allow proper tory study was completed, which in-
1.2 Water resistance depends on the re- clamping.
pellency of the fibers and yarns, as well cluded six laboratories, two operators in
6.2 Handle the specimens as little as each, running determinations on three
as the fabric construction. possible and avoid folding or contaminat-
1.3 The results obtained by this method specimens of two fabrics. No prior as-
ing the area to be tested. sessment was made of the relative level
may not be the same as the results ob- 6.3 Condition the test specimens at 21
tained by the AATCC methods for resis- of the participating laboratories on per-
± 2°C (70 ± 5°F) air at 65 ± 2% RH for at formance of the test method.
tance to rain or water spray. least 4 h before testing. 10.2.2 The two fabrics were at differ-
6.4 The surface of the fabric to be ex- ent levels (Fabric 1 approximately 810
2. Principle posed to water must be specified because mm and Fabric 2 approximately 340
2.1 One surface of the test specimen is different results may be obtained on the mm), and residual variances of the two
subjected to a hydrostatic pressure, in- face and the back. Identify that surface on fabrics were found to be different. Ac-
creasing at a constant rate, until three a corner of each specimen. cordingly, precision is reported separately
points of leakage appear on its other sur- for each fabric.
face. The water may be applied from 7. Procedure 10.2.3 Users of the method are advised
above or below the test specimen. 7.1 Verify the water in contact with the of the limited nature of this study and ad-
test specimen is regulated at 21 ± 2°C (70 vised to apply these findings with due
3. Terminology caution.
± 5°F) (see 10.3).
3.1 hydrostatic pressure, n.—the 7.2 Dry the clamping surface. 10.2.4 Analysis of the data sets for
force distributed over an area exerted by 7.3 Clamp the specimen with the surface each fabric yielded components of vari-
water. to be tested facing the water (see 11.5). ance and critical differences as displayed
3.2 water resistance, n.—of fabric, 7.4 Operation. in Tables I, II and III. Differences be-
the characteristic to resist wetting and 7.4.1 Option 1—Hydrostatic Pressure tween two averages of (N) determina-
penetration by water. Tester (see 11.1). tions, for the appropriate precision pa-
3.3 water repellency, n.—of fabric, in 7.4.1.1 Turn on the motor, press the le- rameter, should reach or exceed the table
textiles, the characteristic of fiber, yarn, ver to raise the overflow device at the rate value to be statistically significant at the
or fabric to resist wetting. of 10 mm/s, and close the air vent as soon 95% confidence level.
as water flows from it.
4. Safety Precautions 7.4.2 Option 2—Hydrostatic Head Table I—Components of Variance for Two
Tester (see 11.2). Fabrics (Option 1 Tester)
NOTE: These safety precautions are
for information purposes only. The pre- 7.4.2.1 Select the gradient of 60 mbar/
cautions are ancillary to the testing proce- min, press the start button (see 11.4). Variance Variance
dures and are not intended to be all inclu- 7.5 Disregarding water droplets that Component Fabric 1 Fabric 2
sive. It is the user’s responsibility to use appear within approximately 3 mm adja- Laboratory 13.450 7.323
safe and proper techniques in handling cent to the edge of the specimen clamp- Operator 3.127 2.145
materials in this test method. Manufac- ing ring, record the hydrostatic pressure Specimen 30.253 5.382
turers MUST be consulted for specific at the moment water droplets penetrate
details, such as material safety data sheets the fabric in three different places.
Table II—Fabric 1—Critical Differences —
and other manufacturer’s recommenda- 95% Confidence (Option 1 Tester)
8. Calculation
tions. All OSHA standards and rules
must also be consulted and followed. 8.1 Calculate the average hydrostatic Det in Single Within Between
4.1 Good laboratory practices should pressure for each sample. Avg (N) Operator Laboratory Laboratory
be followed. Wear safety glasses in all 1 15.25 16.02 18.97
laboratory areas. 9. Report 2 10.78 11.84 15.61
4.2 Manufacturer’s safety recommen- 3 8.80 10.08 14.31
dations should be followed when operat- 9.1 Results for each specimen and the 4 7.62 9.06 13.62
ing laboratory testing equipment. average for each sample. 5 6.82 8.04 13.19

AATCC Technical Manual /2007

--`````,``````,,``,`,,,```,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`--- TM 127-2003 207
Copyright The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Provided by IHS under license with AATCC Licensee=Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ/9976803100
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Copyright © 2006 American Association
Not forof Textile
Resale, Chemists
03/24/2007 and
04:07:53 MDTColorists
 Table III—Fabric 2—Critical Table V—Material B—Critical Until such precision information is avail-
Differences—95% Confidence Differences—95% Confidence able, users of this method should use
(Option 1 Tester) (Option 2 Tester) standard statistical techniques in making
any comparison of test results for be-
--`````,``````,,``,`,,,```,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Det in Det in Avg Single Within tween laboratory averages.

Avg Single Within Between (N) Operator Laboratory
(N) Operator Laboratory Laboratory
10.4 Bias.
1 10.08 12.85 10.4.1 Water resistance of fabrics can
1 6.43 7.61 10.68 2 7.13 9.09 only be defined in terms of a test method.
2 4.55 6.10 9.67 3 5.82 7.42 There is no independent, referee method
3 3.71 5.50 9.30 4 5.04 6.43 for determining the true value. This test
4 3.22 5.18 9.12 5 4.51 5.75 method has no known bias.
5 2.88 4.98 9.00

11. Notes
10.3 Textest FX3000 Hydrostatic Head Table VI—Material C—Critical
Tester (Option 2). Differences—95% Confidence 11.1 Hydrostatic Pressure Tester (Suter).
10.3.1 In a single-laboratory study, six (Option 2 Tester) 11.1.1 The apparatus consists essentially of
different laboratory technicians run deter- an inverted conical well equipped with a coax-
Det in Avg Single Within ial ring clamp to fasten the cloth specimen un-
minations on three specimens of five ma- (N) Operator Laboratory der the well bottom. The apparatus introduces
terials. water from above the specimen over an area
10.3.2 The five materials were at dif- 1 16.13 16.13
2 11.40 11.40 114 mm in diameter and at a rate of 10.0 ± 0.5
ferent levels of approximately: A=103, mm of hydrostatic head per second. A mirror
B=33, C=37, D=12, and E=77. Data ob- 3 9.31 9.31
4 8.06 8.06 is affixed below the specimen to enable the
tained in this study is recorded in milli- operator to ascertain penetration of the speci-
5 7.21 7.21
bars (SI standard). The residual variance men by drops of water. A valve is provided for
of the five materials were found to be dif- venting the air in the well.
ferent, therefore, precision is reported 11.1.2 Hydrostatic testing apparatus of the
separately for each. type described is no longer available for sale.
Table VII—Material D—Critical
10.3.3 Analysis of the data sets for 11.2 Hydrostatic Head Tester (Textest).
Differences—95% Confidence
each material yielded critical differences 11.2.1 Uses an electronically controlled pump
(Option 2 Tester) to apply hydrostatic pressure at 60 mbar/min
as shown in Tables IV, V, VI, VII and (selectable) to the bottom side of the fabric.
VIII. Differences between two averages Det in Avg Single Within A reservoir with a circular test area of 100 ±
of (N) determinations, for the appropriate (N) Operator Laboratory 5 cm2 (»4.5 in. diam) contains distilled or
precision parameter, should reach or ex- 1 2.88 3.50 deionized water which is applied to the fabric
ceed the table value to be statistically sig- 2 2.04 2.47 surface. The fabric specimen is secured with a
nificant at the 95% confidence level. 3 1.66 2.02 coaxial clamp which is equipped with viewing
10.3.4 Between laboratory precision 4 1.44 1.75 lamps to aid the operator in seeing the penetra-
has not been established for this option. 5 1.29 1.57 tion of water droplets. A digital readout dis-
plays the pressure. An RS232 data port is
provided to transfer the test results for storage
and statistical analysis.
Table IV—Material A—Critical Table VIII—Material E—Critical 11.2.2 The Textest Hydrostatic Head Tester
Differences—95% Confidence Differences—95% Confidence is available from Advanced Testing Instru-
(Option 2 Tester) ments Corp., 203 Parksouth Dr., Greer SC
(Option 2 Tester) 29651-7119; tel: 864/989-0566; fax: 864/989-
Det in Avg Single Within Single Within 0567; e-mail: info@aticorporation.com.
(N) Operator Laboratory Det in Avg (N) Operator Laboratory 11.3 Some laboratories use water at ambi-
ent temperature. If testing is performed other
1 72.49 72.49 1 15.04 16.55 than 21 ± 2°C, so state.
2 51.26 51.26 2 10.63 11.70 11.4 1 mbar = 1.02 cm H2O.
3 41.85 41.85 3 8.68 9.55 11.5 Lateral water leakage can be mini-
4 36.25 36.25 4 7.52 8.27 mized by sealing the fabric with paraffin at the
5 32.42 32.42 5 6.72 7.40 clamping area.

208 TM 127-2003 AATCC Technical Manual/2007

Copyright The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Provided by IHS under license with AATCC Licensee=Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ/9976803100
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Copyright © 2006 American Association
Not forof Textile
Resale, Chemists
03/24/2007 and
04:07:53 MDTColorists