Videotutorial Mass per unit area

During the test of the mass per unit area, the weight of a textile surface is determined per m². The mass per unit area is given in g/m². However, the textile weight can vary slightly, specifically if moisture is absorbed. The mass per unit area is a reference point for determining how “thick” or heavy a material is. However, the thickness of a textile is also strongly dependent on how the material has been woven or knitted. The weight of the textile fabric can be used to check fulfilment of delivery conditions between producers and buyers and is usually found on material specifications. The material specification can be used in the context of a test specification.

The mass per unit area should be determined for all textiles for which the supplier specification is to be checked. The mass per unit area is also used as a parameter for the comparison of batch differences. The samples for a material check are conditioned for at least 24 hours without tension and are laid flat under normal climatic conditions. The test is carried out under the same climatic conditions. The test standard DIN EN 12127 describes the execution of the test “Determination of surface-related mass using smaller samples”. Five circular samples are prepared for the test using a round sample cutter. The samples are removed as far apart as possible so that they best represent the textile fabric. The samples have an area of 100 cm². The individual samples are weighed and the mass per unit area is calculated from the weight.

In general, the test results should not vary from the agreed specification by more than ± 5%. The given tolerance is a recommendation; a mandatory specification is not given in the test regulations.

DIN EN 12127

Textiles - textile fabrics - determination of fabric-related mass using smaller samples; German Version EN 12127:1997