ISO 7617-1:2001

Overview

ISO 7617-1:2001 - Plastics-coated fabrics for upholstery - Part 1: Specification for PVC-coated knitted fabrics - defines technical requirements and test procedures for PVC‑coated weft‑knitted fabrics intended for interior upholstered furniture. The standard covers both solid PVC coatings and two grades of expanded PVC coatings and is intended to ensure consistent quality, performance and safe use in upholstery applications.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and sampling: Specifies batch sampling rules and how roll identification or random sampling should be handled for compliance testing.
• Preliminary inspection: Visual checks (uniform coating, absence of visible flaws, pinhole limits under ×6 magnification) and fusion verification per ISO 6451 to detect gross defects before further testing.
• Colour, embossing and finish: Colour comparison per ISO 105-B01; gloss and embossing considerations are subject to purchaser/supplier agreement and reference samples.
• Dimensions and tolerances: Usable width, roll length and thickness are defined; nominal thickness ranges are given for solid and expanded coatings. Mass of coating per unit area is specified (see Table 1 of the standard).
• Mechanical performance: Minimum values for tensile strength (e.g., typically ≥250 N longitudinal, ≥150 N transverse), elongation at break (e.g., ~50% longitudinal, ~100% transverse), bursting strength, static elongation and elastic recovery.
• Durability tests: Resistance to flexing, abrasion (cycles specified), coating adhesion (e.g., longitudinal ≥30 N, transverse ≥20 N), and resistance to print wear and skin‑coat separation.
• Ageing and stability: Requirements after accelerated ageing (168 h at 85 °C) per ISO 1419.
• Fire behaviour: Not specified as a single international requirement - must comply with local/national fire regulations; manufacturers are advised to provide fire‑behaviour information.
• Normative annexes: Annexes A–E cover specimen selection, elongation/elastic recovery methods, resistance to print wear, skin‑coat resistance, and colour fastness to rubbing.

Applications and users

ISO 7617-1:2001 is used by:

• Upholstery fabric manufacturers and converters to specify product performance and production tolerances
• Quality control and testing laboratories performing compliance testing against defined mechanical, physical and ageing criteria
• Furniture manufacturers and specifiers requiring durable, compliant PVC‑coated knitted fabrics for indoor upholstery
• Procurement and compliance teams setting acceptance criteria for roll deliveries

Related standards

• ISO 7617-2 (PVC-coated woven fabrics) and ISO 7617-3 (PU-coated woven fabrics) - complementary parts of ISO 7617
• Key referenced test standards include ISO 1421, ISO 2286, ISO 1419, ISO 2411, ISO 105 series, ISO 7854, ISO 5981, and others listed in the normative references.

Keywords: ISO 7617-1:2001, PVC-coated knitted fabrics, plastics-coated fabrics, upholstery standards, coating adhesion, accelerated ageing, textile testing, upholstery fabric specification.