Chapter 20 - Selection of Materials, Finishes, and Furnishings Flashcards
the ability of a material or finish to resist being worn away or to maintain its original appearance when rubbed with another object
abrasion resistance
method by which one material is connected to another(this can be very important as some materials can not be attached to certain materials without significant expense or effort)this criteria applies to nearly all materials
attachment
capability of a material to resist adhesion or sticking between two surfaces of a wall covering
blocking resistance
refers to the load that, when placed on a material, is just great enough to break the material. typ refers to fabrics. sometimes tile/stone
breaking strength
material’s resistance to damage, change of finish, or other deleterious changes resulting from exposure to chemicals
chemical resistance
refers to the ability of a thin coating, like wall covering or paint, to adhere to its substrate
coating adhesion
resistance of a finish to change or loss loss of color when exposed to light, most commonly to sunlight
colorfastness
material’s resistance to the transfer of color from a wall covering surface when rubbed
crocking resistance
ability of paint or other finishes to resist loss of color when exposed to sunlight (similar to colorfastness)
lightfastness
“flame spread”, “smoke developed”, and “fuel contributed” - are all used as criteria for what?
For how flammability is rated
most common test developed for flame spread and smoke is
Steiner tunnel test
best source of info for a product?
the manufacturer they can provide promotional literature, full product catalogs , personal advice, etc.
fibers used for furniture fabrics can be broadly classified into two categories:
natural and synthetic
natural fibers are further divided into two categories
cellulosic fibers and protein fibers
cellulosic fibers
come from plants
Ex: cotton and linen
protein fibers
are manufactured from animal sourcesex: wool
wool
- natural fiber- comes from sheep- good resilience and elasticity- wears well- resistant to soiling and cleans easily- it will burn when exposed to flame, but it is self-extinguishing when the flame is removed- it is expensive- it can be stretched
cotton
- cellulosic- seed hairs of the cotton plant- relatively inexpensive and has good tensile strength - good abrasion- poor resilience and recovery- degrades under prolonged sunlight exposure- burns readily and is subject to mildew
linen
- flax plant - bast fiber (meaning it is derived from the stalk of a plant)- seldom used for upholstery (lacks resilience and flexibility and is susceptible to abrasion)- normally used for draperies or wallcovering
Silk
- obtained from fibers spun by silkworm larvae- very strong and has good resilience and flexibility- finish and luster are highly valued- very expensive- degrades in sunlight
Rayon
- regenerated cellulosic fiber- poor resistance to sunlight- poor resilience- low resistance to water and moisture (absorbs water easily)- seldom used for upholstery
Acetate
-regenerated cellulosic fiber-low cost-flammable-doesn’t wear well-poor sunlight resistance(triacetate is similar but has more acetate than cellulose to improve aging, flammability, and resistance to sunlight)
Nylon
- one of the most popular synthetic fibers- exceptionally strong- high resiliency and elasticity- resistant to many chemicals, water, and microorganisms - used to appear shiny
Acrylic
- often a replacement for wool because of its appearance- moderately good strength and resilience - very resistant to sunlight- flammable - modacrylic is a variation that has a much greater resistance to heat and flame
Olefin
-inexpensive and is highly resistant to chemicals, mildew, and microorganisms - used for carpet and carpet backing- low resistance to sunlight, heat, and flame- not often used for upholstery
Polyester
- undesirable burning properties- can be treated to make it more flame resistant- tends to absorb and hold oily materials
Crypton
- stain, water, flame, and bacteria resistant- great for healthcare and retirement- DURABILITY and FIRE RESISTANCE (best qualities)
Fiber’s Fire Resistance Most to Least List
wool
silk
modacrylic
nylon
olefin
polyester
acrylic
acetate
(MNOPAA)
cellulosic fibers (cotton, linen, rayon)
three ways to attach fabrics to a cushion
buttoning
tufting
channeling
one important consideration in upholstery fire safety
smoldering resistance or “cigarette ignition resistance”
it’s affected by the combination of fabric material, cushioning, and seating construction
fire hazards are increased if it’s tufted bc cigarettes may lodge in these areas if dropped
upholstery safety can be enhanced in two ways
- flammability can be minimized by treating the cushioning material with a chemical
- liners can be used between the fabric and cushion to provide a barrier that slows or inhibits the spread of heat and flame from the fabric to the cushion
Cushioning also affects the comfort and wearability of furniture. For foam cushions, there are three main criterion:
- density (greater the density, greater the support and more durable but not less comfortable-more $$)
- indentation load deflection (ILD) or indentation force deflection . measured by a metal plate pushed against a sample and is measured by the amount of pounds that it takes to push the cushion down
- support ratio- ratio of the force required to push the cushion down to 65% compared to 25” of its original thickness. determines how firm it is
most common type of cushioning
flexible polyurethane foam (FPF)
does fabric wear better over time if it’s on a firmer cushion or a softer cushion?
a softer cushion
Vertical Ignition Test
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films
NFPA 701
draperies, curtains, and other window treatments
Cigarette ignition resistance test of furniture components
Standard Methods of Tests and Classification System for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of Components of Upholstered Furniture
NFPA 260
resistance of upholstered furniture components, separate, to flame and cigarette ignition AKA CAL TB 117 (tests components like fabric and fillings)
Cigarette ignition resistance test of furniture composites
Standard Method for Test for Determining Resistance of Mock-Up Upholstered Furniture Material Assemblies to Ignition by Smoldering Cigarettes NFPA 261tests the seat cushion mockup (including foam, liner, and fabric altogether)
Full Seating Test
Standard Method of Test for Fire Characteristics of Upholstered Furniture Exposed to Flaming IgnitionNFPA 266This test evaluates the effect of an open flame on an actual sample of the chairSimilar to CAL TB 133what’s measured? the rate of heat and smoke released. concentration of carbon oxides and others. most IMPT: rate of heat release, which quantifies the intensity of the fire generatedthis is one of the strictest tests for furniture and is required in many states
material remaining from incomplete combustion
char
capable of burning with a flame, and subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming combustion
flammable
the ability to withstand flame impingement or give protection from it
flame resistance
should be used as a modifier only with defined compound terms, such as _____ treatment. Should not be used as a noun unless describing a chemical flame retardant used for that purpose
flame-retardant
combustion without flame that may burn for a relatively long time while generating smoke, toxic gases, and heat
smoldering
Wyzenbeek abrasion resistance test
Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Methodologies) ASTM D4157
The test determines the abrasion resistance of woven textile fabrics tests for “double-rubs”
Taber abraser test
Standard Guide for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Rotary Platform, Double-Heat Method)ASTM D3884
This test determines the abrasion resistance of textiles, most commonly carpet
results of the test are reported in how many cycles it took to break a yarn or expose the backing material
Martindale abrasion test
Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Martindale Abrasion Tester Method)ASTM D4996
Determines the abrasion resistance of textile fabrics, generally with a pile depth of less than 0.08”
This is similar to the Wyzenbeek test.
Fade-Ometer test
Full Title: Colorfastness to Light
AATCC 16
Determines the colorfastness under light exposure of textile materials using six different test options.
Most common test uses a xenon arc lamp with continuous light
Crocking resistance test
Full title: Colorfastness to Crocking: AATCC Crockmeter MethodAATCC 8Determines the resistance of a colored textile to transfer its color form its surface to other surfaces by rubbing
Tearing Strength test, tongue method
Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the TongueASTM D2661Measures the tearing resistance of fabrics after an initial cut has been made in the fabric
Bacterial resistance test
Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak MethodAATCC 147Test detects bacteriostatic activity on textile materials
