Fabric Shrinkage Test

Fabric Shrinkage Test (ISO: 5077)

Shrinkage test for fabric 

Objective: To determine fabric shrinkage with domestic washing.

Principle: According to the detergent washing of fabric specimens it is allowed to generate fabric shrinkage of particular specimens.

Tools and equipment: Textured pen, scissor, marking template, over-lock machine, rulers, standard washing machine.  

Procedure: In this test, each knitted or woven fabric specimens were cut into 50 cm x 50 cm dimensions. Next each specimen was kept on table and marked particular 35 cm distance keeping template on fabric using textured pen. Next all marked fabrics were kept on conditioning room at least 4 hours. Next, conditioned fabric samples each points measurements were recorded. Next, all measurement recorded fabrics were applied to edge securing. Fabric edge securing process was done by edge over-locking using over-lock machine.

Next, all fabric were collected together and bulk weight were measured and, that fabric weight in gram value was reduced by 2 kg and replaced ballets to met total weight as 2 kg. Next, particular detergent were arranged as,

·         Detergent based powder (E.C.E Non- phosphate detergent- A)  : 15.4 g  

·         Sodium perborate tetra hydrate  :  04 g

·         Bleach activator (TEAD)   :   0.6 g    

All of these chemicals were dissolved in 300 ml and that amount may change slightly. After overlocked fabrics were included horizontal drum type washing machine and all measured ballets also included. Next, washing machines program was launched and, detergent solution was included into detergent input of washing machine. After completion of washing operation, each fabrics and ballets were unmounted and refer to drying process according to the customer requirement and those were flat dry, line dry, and tumble dry of fabrics. Next, dried fabrics were kept on condition room at least 4 hours. Then, after washing of fabric specimen measurements were recorded. Finally calculations were done. If customer requested several cycles this process was repeated to fulfill that required cycles.

      Shrinkage Percentage = [(Final Length – Original Length)/ Original Length] x 100