IMPORTANCE OF TEXTILE TESTING
by: Dr. Gauri Goel
Textile testing
is very important aspect of quality management. Weather testing is done in house
or by an out side laboratory is immaterial, so long as it is done properly.
Testing in itself will not be of any help, but the interpretation of the test
results will help identify problem areas, if any. Testing should be
accomplished using some standard methods so that the test results can be
compared. Following are some of the source of standard test method for
textiles:
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- American Association of Textile Chemists and Colourists (AATCC)
- International Standard Organization (ISO)
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
Usually at least
three to five tests of whatever property is under consideration are completed,
and the average of those tests is considered the representative value of the
property. The interpretation of test results must be done with real care and
that’s where “expertise”, that is, technical knowledge combined with
experience, comes into play. The testing of textile products is an expensive
business. There are a number of points in the production cycle where testing
may be carried out to improve the product quality.
- Checking of raw material
- Monitoring production
- Assessing the final product
- Investing the faulty material
- Product development and research
