Overview
ISO 23231:2008 - Textiles: Determination of dimensional change of fabrics - Accelerated machine method - defines an accelerated, production‑focused test to measure the dimensional change (shrinkage or growth) of fabrics that will be made into garments or other end‑use articles and laundered in a variety of settings. The method uses a programmable apparatus that simulates multiple domestic or industrial laundering actions and wet‑processing operations to produce rapid, repeatable dimensional‑change data for quality control and production use. This method is not intended for development of care labels and is less suitable for heavy, tightly woven fabrics (e.g., denim) or fabrics with water‑repellent finishes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & purpose: Accelerated testing for production environments to assess fabric relaxation, shrinkage, and growth behavior.
- Apparatus: A vertical perforated drum with partitions, programmable agitation and drying cycles, hydro‑extraction and hot air drying. (The document notes a commercially available apparatus - Quickwash Plus® by SDL Atlas - and a related patent.)
- Specimens & benchmarks:
- Typical specimen sizes: 190 × 190 mm (125 mm benchmark) or 255 × 255 mm (255 mm benchmark, often aligned diagonally).
- Minimum of four specimens per sample; additional replicates recommended to improve precision.
- Test procedure:
- Programmed wash/rinse/extract/dry cycles that simulate laundering actions; detergents are not used in the accelerated procedure.
- Ensure specimens are fully dry before measurement and allow a short rest period prior to measurement.
- Measurements & calculation:
- Dimensional change expressed as percent difference between original and post‑test benchmark distances, reported to 0.1% (length and width separately).
- Test report must include individual and average percent change, programme used, specimen alignment/size, fabric description and any deviations.
- Limitations: Not suited for some heavy or water‑repellent fabrics; users should establish correlation with full laundering methods.
Applications and users
ISO 23231:2008 is used for:
- Production quality control in textile mills and finishing plants
- Incoming inspection and batch verification for garment manufacturers
- Textile testing laboratories and R&D teams assessing fabric stability under simulated laundering
- Process engineers seeking accelerated feedback on dimensional behaviour after wet processing
Benefits: faster turnaround than full laundering tests, high repeatability, suitability for production environments where quick decisions on fabric acceptance or process adjustments are needed.
Related standards
- ISO 5077 - Similar dimensional property measured by standard (non‑accelerated) methods
- ISO 6330 - Domestic washing and drying procedures - used for correlation with accelerated programmes
Keywords: ISO 23231:2008, dimensional change, textile testing, accelerated laundering, fabric shrinkage, Quickwash Plus, production quality control.