Physical Properties ACT Icon

Physical Properties ACT Icon

The Association for Contract Textiles (ACT) is a non-profit trade association that sets up industrial standards related to contract fabrics. Their guidelines specify the tests that are necessary for a textile to be certified depending on its construction and intended use. The ACT icon for physical properties is given to upholstery, wrapped panels and upholstered walls, and drapery products, while passing several physical tests including pilling, breaking strength, seam slippage, adhesion of coating, hydrolysis resistance, and the stretch and set test. The detailed testing standards are found below.

ConstructionApplicationPhysical propertiesTest method and standard
WovenUpholsteryPilling

Breaking Strength
Seam Slippage
ASTM D3511 Brush Pill Class 3 minimum
or ASTM D4970 Martindale Test Method Class 3 minimum
ASTM D5034 Grab Test 50lbs minimum in warp and weft
ASTM D4034 25lbs minimum in warp and weft
Wrapped Panels and Upholstered WallsBreaking StrengthASTM D5034 Grab Test 35lbs minimum in warp and weft
DraperySeam SlippageASTM D434 25lbs minimum in warp and weft
*Use ASTM D3597 for fabrics over 6 oz/square yard
Coated FabricsUpholsteryAdhesion of CoatingASTM D751 Sections 45-48, 3 lbf/in minimum
Tear StrengthASTM D2261 Tongue Tear Knits and Woven Substrates 4x4lbs
or ASTM D751 Sections 32-35 15x15lbs
ASTM D5733 Trap Tear Nonwoven Substrates and Nonwoven Composites 15x15lbs
or ASTM D751 Sections 32-35, 15x15lbs
Hydrolysis Resistance (Only Applicable to Polyurethanes)ISO 1419 Tropical Test Method C 5 weeks
*Note: There is no direct correlation of testing weeks to years of service in the field.
Stretch and SetSAE J855 can be used to evaluate stretch and set
*ACT recommends consulting your supplier or manufacturer to see about potential issues
Wrapped Panels and Upholstered WallsBreaking StrengthBreaking Strength
Knit FabricUpholsteryPilling
Breaking Strength
Tear Strength
Snag Testing
Stretch and Set

ASTM D3511 Brush Pill Class 3 minimum
ASTM D5034 Grab Test 50lbs minimum in warp and weft
ASTM D2261 6lbs minimum in warp and weft
ASTM D3939 Mace Snag Class 3 minimum
SAE J855 can be used to evaluate stretch and set
*ACT recommends consulting your supplier or manufacturer to see about potential issues
Wrapped Panels and Upholstered WallsBreaking StrengthASTM D5034 Grab Test 35lbs minimum in warp and weft
DraperyTear StrengthASTM D42261 1.5lbs minimum in warp and weft

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