ASTM D5433-12 - 1.6.2012
 
Significance and Use

Upon mutual agreement between the purchaser and the supplier, woven or knitted products intended for this end use should meet all of the requirements listed in Table 1 of this specification for terry products and Table 2 for non terry products.

It is recognized that for purposes of fashion or aesthetics the ultimate consumer of articles made from these fabrics may find acceptable products that do not conform to all of the requirements in Table 1 or Table 2. Therefore, one or more of the requirements listed in Table 1 or Table 2 may be modified by mutual agreement between the purchaser and the seller.

In such cases, any references to the specification shall specify that: This product meets ASTM Specification 63-707 except for the following characteristic(s).

Where no prepurchase agreement has been reached between the purchaser and the supplier, and in case of controversy, the requirements listed in Table 1 or Table 2 are intended to be used as a guide only. As noted in 5.2, ultimate consumer demands dictate varying performance parameters for any particular style.

The significance and use of particular properties and test methods are discussed in the appropriate sections of the specified test methods.

 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers the evaluation of specific performance characteristics of importance in woven and knitted kitchen towel, dishcloth, crash towel, huck towel, washcloth, hand towel, bath towel, and bath sheet products for use in institutional and household environments.

1.2 This specification may be used by mutual agreement between the purchaser and the supplier to establish purchasing specification requirements.

1.3 The requirements in Tables 1 and 2 apply to the length and width directions for those properties where fabric direction is pertinent.

1.4 This specification is not applicable for coated and laminated products, nonwoven products, or terry fabrics used for apparel.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

TABLE 1 Woven or Knitted Terry Fabric Specification Requirements

Terry Requirements
Kitchen
Towels
DishclothsBath, Hand, Washcloths,
Bath Sheets
Section

Breaking Strength (CRE)

7.1

Length

178 N (40 lbf) min

220 N (50 lbf) min

178 N (40 lbf) min

Width

133 N (30 lbf) min

178 N (40 lbf) min

133 N (30 lbf) min

Bursting Strength (knits only)

Diaphragm

222 N (50 lbf) min

222 N (50 lbf) min

222 N (50 lbf) min

7.1.3

Dimensional Change:

7.1.4

Length

10 % max

10 % max

10 % max

Width

5 % max

5 % max

4 % max

Skew

5 % max

5 % max

5 % max

7.1.5

Colorfastness:A

Laundering:

7.1.6.1

Shade Change

Grade 4B min

Grade 4B min

Grade 4B min

Staining

Grade 3C min

Grade 3C min

Grade 3C min

Crocking:

7.1.6.2

Dry

Grade 4D min

Grade 4D min

Grade 4D min

Wet

Grade 3D min

Grade 3D min

Grade 3D min

Light (20 AATCC AFU)

Grade 4B min

Grade 4B min

Grade 4B min

7.1.6.3

Absorbency

Pass

Pass

Pass

7.1.7

Laundered Appearance

Acceptable

Acceptable

Acceptable

7.2.1

A Class for color change and color transfer is based on a numerical scale of 5 for negligible or no color change or color transfer to 1 for severe color change or color transfer. The numerical rating in Table 1 or higher is acceptable.

B AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change.

C AATCC Gray Scale for Staining.

D AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale.

TABLE 2 Non Terry Fabric Requirements

DishclothsHuck & Crash Towels Section

Breaking Strength (CRE)

7.1

Length

220 N (50 lbf) min

178 N (40 lbf) min

Width

178 N (40 lbf) min

133 N (30 lbf) min

Bursting Strength (knits only)

Diaphragm

222 N (50 lbf) min

222 N (50 lbf) min

7.1.3

Dimensional Change:

7.1.4

Length

10 % max

10 % max

Width

5 % max

5 % max

Skew

5 % Acceptable

5 % Acceptable

7.1.5

Colorfastness:A

Laundering:

7.1.6.1

Shade Change

Grade 4B min

Grade 4B min

Staining

Grade 3C min

Grade 3C min

Crocking:

7.1.6.2

Dry

Grade 4D min

Grade 4D min

Wet

Grade 3D min

Grade 3D min

Light (20 AATCC FU)

Step 4B min

Step 4B min

7.1.6.3

Absorbency

Pass

Pass

7.1.7

Laundered Appearance

Acceptable

Acceptable

7.2.1

A Class for color change and color transfer is based on a numerical scale of 5 for negligible or no color change or color transfer to 1 for severe color change or color transfer. The numerical rating in Table 1 or higher is acceptable.

B AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change.

C AATCC Gray Scale for Staining.

D AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D4772-26

Standard Test Method for Surface Water Absorption of Terry Fabrics (Water Flow)

D5034-21(2025)

Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test)

D6797-24

Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Fabrics Constant-Rate-of-Extension (CRE) Ball Burst Test

D7023-06(2018)

Standard Terminology Relating to Home Furnishings

Evaluation Procedure8

AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale

D3136-25

Standard Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel, Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products

D2905-97

Standard Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens for Textiles

D2261-13(2024)

Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the Tongue (Single Rip) Procedure (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Tensile Testing Machine)

D1424-25

Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Apparatus

D3786-08

Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile FabricsDiaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method

D123-23

Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles