ASTM D7983-17 (2022) PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Shrinkage of Carpet Backing Fabrics — ASTM D7983-17 (reapproved 2022). This test method provides procedures to evaluate dimensional change (shrinkage) of woven, knitted and nonwoven backing fabrics used as primary or secondary backings in pile-yarn floor coverings, under both wet and dry heat exposures.

Abstract

ASTM D7983 specifies two principal procedures (hot-wet and hot-dry) for measuring backing fabric shrinkage: specimens are marked and measured, exposed either to hot water then dried or to controlled dry heat, and re-measured. Shrinkage is expressed as the percentage change in length before and after treatment. The method is intended for characterization, comparative testing, and acceptance testing of commercial shipments of carpet backing fabrics.

General information

• Status: Active / Reapproved 2022.
• Publication date: 01 March 2022 (D7983-17, reapproved 2022).
• Publisher: ASTM International (Committee D13, Subcommittee D13.21).
• ICS / categories: Floor coverings and related textiles — ICS code commonly listed as 97.150 (Floor coverings).
• Edition / version: Designation D7983 − 17 (Reapproved 2022).
• Number of pages: 4 pages.

Scope

This test method covers procedures for evaluating shrinkage, in both wet and dry conditions, of woven, knitted and nonwoven backing fabrics designed for use in the manufacture of pile-yarn floor coverings. The determination of carpet backing shrinkage was previously contained within Test Method D2646 and was extracted to form this separate method for consistency and clarity.

Key topics and requirements

• Two principal procedures: HOT‑WET (immersion in hot distilled or deionized water, drying and remeasurement) and HOT‑DRY (exposure to controlled dry heat and remeasurement).
• Specimen preparation and orientation: cutting multiple specimens (typical example: three 12 in × 12 in specimens from a 1.5 yd sample) and marking principal directions (warp/fill) to measure shrinkage in each principal direction.
• Controlled temperatures and times: examples in the method include oven conditions around 158 °F (70 °C) for drying/exposure and hot‑water soak at approximately 170 °F (77 °C) where specified; measurement accuracy to 0.1 in (≈2 mm) for reported lengths.
• Calculation: shrinkage reported as percent change in length = (L_before − L_after) / L_before × 100; averages taken per specimen and per principal direction for reporting.
• Use for acceptance testing: the method includes guidance on between‑laboratory precision and recommends comparative testing if practical differences occur between labs.

Typical use and users

Used by textile and carpet manufacturers, quality control and R&D laboratories, third‑party testing houses, and procurement/acceptance personnel to characterize and compare dimensional stability of backing fabrics and to support commercial acceptance or rejection decisions.

Related standards

Relevant references and related documents include: Test Method D2646 (historical containment of backing shrinkage procedures), Terminology D5684 (pile floor coverings terminology) and Terminology D123 (general textile terminology). An interlaboratory research report (RR:D13‑1144) documents precision data developed for D7983.

Keywords

carpet; backing fabric; primary backing; secondary backing; shrinkage; woven; knitted; nonwoven; pile yarn floor covering; dimensional stability.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D7983 is a Standard Test Method titled "Standard Test Method for Shrinkage of Carpet Backing Fabrics" that specifies laboratory procedures to measure shrinkage of backing fabrics used in carpet manufacture. It is designated D7983‑17 and was reapproved in 2022.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers hot‑wet and hot‑dry procedures to expose backing fabric specimens, details specimen selection and measurement, defines required temperatures/times and measurement accuracy, and provides the formula and reporting conventions for shrinkage expressed as a percentage.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Carpet and textile manufacturers, quality control technicians, independent testing laboratories, and purchasing/acceptance teams use this standard for product development, QC, and shipment acceptance testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The designation is D7983‑17 with a reapproval date of 2022; as of the reapproval it is an active ASTM test method. Users should confirm the current status with the publisher for any updates after 2022.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The method was extracted from older Test Method D2646 (which previously contained backing shrinkage procedures) and sits with other D13 committee methods covering pile floor coverings and related textile test methods; it is maintained by Subcommittee D13.21.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include carpet, backing fabric, primary backing, secondary backing, shrinkage, woven fabric, knitted fabric, nonwoven fabric, pile floor coverings, and dimensional stability.