In today’s textile market, consumers care most about quality and comfort. To ensure that textiles meet high standards of quality, laboratory testing is essential. A textile laboratory tests and evaluates textiles. It is a scientific research facility.
Design and Construction Considerations
Laboratory Floor Plan
Design the lab layout based on its purpose and requirements. Consider the types of experiments and processes. Follow national standards for the site’s existing lab. The layout should be a functional, rational distinction between work areas. Laboratory design requires designers to know lab standards, norms, and architectural decoration. They must also know the lab’s experimental processes. The laboratory must meet fire, moisture, and other standards. The floor must be solid, wear-resistant, waterproof, and non-slip. It should not collect dust and must resist acid and corrosion. The floor must be clean and not dusty. The lab should not have a ceiling. It should use natural light and avoid direct sunlight. The laboratory should reserve exhaust ducts and sewage pipes. Tests for toxic gases and liquids must achieve secondary treatment. The discharge must meet emission standards. In the plane design, the general lab door should open inwards. But, for safety, like in an explosion-risk room, it should open outwards. The best material for the door is pressure glass.
Laboratory area and instrument distribution
Design the laboratory based on the experimental process. It should determine the type of instrumentation and its specifications. This includes dimensions, voltage, power, and other parameters. It should also cover placement. The designer must make interfaces for the power, drainage, gas, water, and exhaust systems. Use the number of instruments and their location to find the required area for each space. Divide it for effective use of space. Instrument placement should aid the work. It should also consider the ground’s load-bearing.
Ventilation system design
The design of the lab ventilation system is critical. It is the most important part of lab design. It also determines the success of the lab’s construction. Laboratory ventilation system design has two parts. They are the exhaust and make-up air systems. Design laboratory ventilation systems per the relevant HVAC codes. The exhaust system must account for the actual lab air volume, pipeline length and direction, and site conditions. Use fluid dynamics for a thorough analysis. This will ensure a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient lab.
The supplementary air system should meet the lab type’s requirements. It must achieve a specific room pressure difference for the lab. Maintain a slightly negative pressure (-5Pa to -10Pa) in labs. Individual special biosafety labs have specific pressure gradient requirements. A standard PCR lab has four areas with these pressures: Reagent prep (+5Pa) ¡ú Sample prep (+0Pa) ¡ú Gene amplification (-5Pa) ¡ú Product analysis (-10Pa). 10Pa). Achieving such a laboratory design requires controlling air supply and exhaust.
Electrical design
Laboratory electrical engineering design includes both strong and weak power. Strong power mainly includes instrument power and lighting sockets. Weak power includes network, data communication, broadcasting, and video monitoring. Designing a strong power should rely on the instrument power summary. It should consider the room’s function, the floor, and the whole building’s level. Use electrical engineering knowledge to design the power distribution system. Each instrument room must set up a separate room terminal distribution box. The main instrument must have a separate circuit. You cannot connect it in series with the room lighting or other sockets. This is to meet the needs of instrumentation and maintenance. The floor distribution box should be in a dedicated room. Set the door lock. A person must manage it. The lab should have a UPS to protect its main equipment. The lab equipment’s power parameters show that we must check the UPS’s power and current. We should choose a UPS that leaves enough space for future lab growth. And we may add instruments and equipment soon. We should also plan to buy new instruments and their specs.
Finally, we must reserve enough capacity for the load distribution. You can design electrical plugs on the wall or the ground. The ground plugs should be somewhat waterproof. They should be near the power supply devices to reduce clutter in the lab. In the lab’s planning stage, the main channel must have a camera for monitoring. If possible, install cameras in each room and monitor any important precision instruments. Laboratory power grounding protection is very important. Use multiple grounding measures.
Water supply and drainage design
Laboratory water supply and drainage contains tap water and pure water. The design hides the best way to use the lab’s water supply and drainage. If there is an omission, it will cause problems for lab management. Use ordinary tap water. The lab water supply must have high-quality U-PVC pipes. Use 6″ for the main pipe and 4″ for the branches. Use high-quality PPR pipes for the drainage. Normally, use 50mm or 75mm. Use 110mm for special cases. All equipment requires pure water to operate at full load. It must be enough to test the water volume and level. The chosen water production equipment must have enough capacity. There should also be enough space for it. The design will be the most noisy air pump and pure water treatment instrument. They will be in an independent water machine room at the back of the central laboratory. The pure water instrument’s leak-proof piping will link directly to the laboratory drainage system. A suction pump in the machine room will help handle some leakage. Also, two underfloor recesses have been set up on the axis of the laboratory instruments. All water supply and drainage pipelines are laid underground.
Laboratory temperature and humidity requirements (air-conditioning system)
Set the lab’s temperature and humidity as needed for the experiments. For ordinary labs, use a standard split or multi-connected air conditioner. Precision instruments need specific temperature and humidity levels. This applies to ICP, ICP-MS, and similar tests. Some, like fiber, paper, and textiles, require stricter conditions. Designers in the design of such laboratories need to be based on the standard targeted selection of materials. Test textiles and textile raw materials in an atmosphere per ISO139 . Set the temperature to 20 ± 1 ℃ and humidity to 65% ± 2%. Test paper, paper products, and cartons per ISO187 . Set the temperature to 23 ± 1 ℃ and humidity to 50% ± 2%. A lab needs more than just the right temperature and humidity. There are other special requirements. These are for a constant temperature and humidity lab. They include: a low of 5-18 ℃, a high of 30-80 ℃, low humidity of less than 40% RH, and high humidity of over 80% RH.
Illumination and noise control design
The biosafety lab specs say that BSL-2 labs must have at least 300 Lux of light and a max noise level of 68 dB.6 Before decorating the lab, we informed the builder of the light requirements. After construction, we tested the light levels. The machine room had about 285-319 Lux, and the core work area had about 375-384 Lux. These results are mostly within BSL-2 construction standards. Laboratory construction standards. The lab’s environmental noise is now much lower. We took measures, such as separating the water and electricity. In the core working area, the decibel level is now like an ordinary clinic.
Decontamination and Decontamination Level
Before constructing the lab, you should conduct a biosafety assessment.
It must follow three documents:
The General Guidelines for Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.
The General Requirements for Laboratory Biosafety.
The Regulations on the Administration of Biosafety in Pathogenic Microorganism Laboratories.
This will find out if the lab needs decontamination and to what level.
Assessment results: Automated laboratories must have at least BSL-2 protection. The lab’s design meets all BSL-2 standards. It has clear labels, separate changing rooms, and storage. It also has an eyewash, an autoclave, and emergency tools. Also, refer to some BSL-3 lab construction requirements in the design. The floor height must be at least 2.6m. The lab passage must be at least 1.5m wide. The door must be at least 1m wide. Its height and width must allow for transporting lab instruments. Also, the lab’s access control, air change, and climate must meet BSL-3 standards.
Set the lab’s temperature and humidity per the experiment. For a regular physical and chemical lab, use a common split or multi-connected AC. Precision instruments require certain temperature and humidity levels. For example, ICP and ICP-MS. Some tests, like fibre, paper, and textile tests, need higher temperature and humidity. Designers must use a standard, targeted selection of materials in lab design.
Textiles and textile raw materials testing standard atmosphere is ISO139 and GB6529. It is 20 ± 1 ℃, 65% ± 2% RH. For paper, paper products, and cartons, it is ISO187 and GB10739. It is 23 ± 1 ℃, 50% ± 2% RH. In addition to the standard temperature and humidity, the lab has other special requirements. It must be 5-18 ℃ (low temp), 30-80 ℃ (high temp), <40% RH (low humidity), and >80% RH (high humidity).
Safety measures
Equip smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
In the lab’s corridor, install emergency sprinklers and eyewash devices. They are for areas with more acids and alkalis.
A person must manage the storeroom. You must lock the door and set it up with authority for entering and exiting.
The drug storage room must meet national safety standards. It must also meet fire safety requirements and have automatic fire extinguishing devices.
Textile laboratory testing
Textile testing aims to check a product’s physical, chemical, and functional traits. It must meet relevant standards. Common tests include strength, colour fastness, moisture absorption, and perspiration. These tests can fully measure textiles’ performance and quality. They will guide production and R&D.
ChiuVention SmarTexLab Solutions
The SmarTexLab system and its instruments automate the entire process. They prepare samples, run tests, and upload the results. They are reliable and easy to use. This greatly reduces human errors and improves test reliability by about 20%.
The system gets sample info and selects test requirements. It then generates a series of QR codes.
The intelligent cutter sweeps the samples and cuts them all in one go.
The lab technician gets the sample after receiving a notice. He then scans the code and installs the sample in the instrument. It automatically programs the equipment and completes the test.
The instrument uploads all original records to SmarTexLab. These include sample information and test results. It then generates a report summarising all test items.
SmarTexLab connects to ERP or LIMS. So, relevant parties can view test reports in real time on mobile devices.
No more manual sample cutting or duplicate work. No waiting or wasted actions. This will cut lab testing time by about 30%.
ChiuVention provides smart lab solutions. They can make lab tests 20% more reliable and cut labor costs by 40%. The system automates and intelligently manages the entire process. This makes testing faster, more accurate, and transparent.
Textile laboratory testing process
Test samples: We record customers’ details and their testing needs.
Pre-treat the samples as per the test requirements. This includes washing, drying, or humidifying them. This will ensure the samples are in a standardised state.
Prepare for testing: Get and calibrate the right test instruments. This ensures accurate results.
Conduct tests: Test the samples according to standard test methods and procedures.
Common tests include:
Physical property tests (e.g. strength, abrasion resistance).
Chemical property tests (e.g. colour fastness, pH value).
Functionality tests (e.g. waterproofness, breathability).
Record test data in detail. Analyze it. Calculate the indexes and compare them to standards or customer requirements. Result reports: Collate test data and write test reports. They must include the test methods, results, analyses, and conclusions. Ensure the reports are accurate, clear, and complete.
Sample storage and disposal: Store or dispose of the remaining samples per customer or lab rules. Ensure sample safety and confidentiality.
Customer feedback and service: Test results to customers. Answer questions. Provide tech support or improvement ideas.
Textile Laboratory Testing Items
Physical property testing
1. Strength and Elongation Test
A strength test measures the tensile strength of textiles. It finds their breaking point under tension. The elongation test measures the degree of ductility of textiles when stretched. Both tests assess the durability of textiles. Common tests include the Single Yarn Strength Test and the Fabric Strength Test.
2. Abrasion and tear resistance tests
The test measures how well textiles resist abrasion from friction. The tear resistance test checks how well textiles resist tearing under tension. We assess the durability and safety of textiles. Commonly used test methods include Martindale abrasion resistance test and pendulum tear test.
3. Shrinkage and stability tests
Shrinkage tests assess the dimensional change of textiles during washing and use. Stability tests check if textiles hold their shape after washing and use. These tests can help companies improve their products. They can reduce complaints about shrinkage and distortion.
4. Colour Fastness Test
Colour fastness tests include wash, light, and rubbing fastness tests. The wash fastness test checks if textiles can keep their colors when washed. The test for colour fastness to light checks textiles’ colour stability under light. Colour fastness to rubbing assesses the colour transfer of textiles under rubbing conditions.
Chemical Performance Test
Formaldehyde and Other Harmful Substances Testing
Formaldehyde is a common, hazardous chemical. It is widely found in textile dyeing and finishing. Formaldehyde content testing checks textiles for formaldehyde residue. It ensures compliance with safety standards. Other Harmful Substances Testing checks for harmful substances in textiles. It tests for heavy metals and pesticide residues. These tests ensure product safety and meet demands for health and environmental protection.
Functionality Testing
Modern textiles need basic physical and chemical properties. They also need various functions.
1. Moisture absorption and wicking properties
Moisture absorption and perspiration tests check how well textiles absorb sweat and wick it away. This helps companies create textiles that are more comfortable to wear. Common tests include the moisture permeability test. They also include the moisture absorption and quick drying test.
2. Antimicrobial and anti-odour properties
Antimicrobial testing evaluates the ability of textiles to inhibit bacteria. The anti-odour test evaluates the textile’s ability to prevent odour generation during use.
3. Waterproofing and Breathability Test
The water repellency test checks a textile’s ability to resist water when exposed to it. The breathability test checks if the textile is both waterproof and breathable.
Thermal Comfort Test
1. Thermal Resistance and Conductivity Test
The thermal resistance test evaluates the warmth retention of the textile. Thermal conductivity test evaluates the thermal conductivity of the textile.
2. Moisture Permeability and Evaporation Resistance Tests
The test checks a textile’s ability to move moisture away from the body during wear. The test measures how well textiles resist water evaporation in high humidity.
A textile testing laboratory generally consists of the following functional laboratories
(1) Sample preparation room
It is mainly a test sample prep area. It has sewing machines, a workbench, cutting equipment, a steel ruler, and a sample maker.
(2) Constant temperature and humidity laboratory
For the textile class, set the temperature to 20±1℃ and humidity to 65%±2%. The air volume must cycle 15-30 times per hour. Noise must be under 55 decibels. It must also supply fresh air. A constant temperature and humidity lab has three areas: a buffer room, an air-conditioning room, and a humidity room. The buffer room stabilizes the temperature and humidity.
(3) Water washing room
The washing room has a national, European, and American standard washer, a dryer, and a dry cleaner. The floor is generally non-slip ground, need to deal with water intake and drainage. The washing machine also requires a separate three-phase power supply.
(4) Tanning room
Tanning rooms will have one or more tanning color fastness testers. These are devices that simulate the sun. The testers heat and need to exhaust. They are usually air-cooled or water-cooled. Air-cooled is cheaper. Water-cooled is better for a large number of test samples. Choose based on the situation.
(5) Hanging dry room
People use it for hanging and drying clothes. Mainly place some hangers in a well-ventilated dry space in this area.
(6) Rating room
The rating room is mainly in the light source colour box and the pilling rating box. It tests the chromaticity rating, to exclude outside light interference. Rating a room’s environment requires a different external environment. It also requires stable light. You must close or isolate the light source. To avoid reflections, use low-reflectivity, dark-toned materials for the lab’s walls and floors. Now there are also instrumental methods to determine the colour difference level.
(7) Combustion room
The combustion room has a tester, a fume hood, and a lab bench. So, we must consider ventilation and exhaust. Also, combustion requires gas (butane or propane). It needs piping or a gas cylinder cabinet. There are several test methods. They are: horizontal, vertical, small 45°, large 45°, blanket combustion, and an oxygen index meter.
(8) Composition analysis room
Fibre quantification in textiles is mainly a chemical dissolution method. The composition analysis room is mainly for fibre dissolution. It will be in the microscope, filters, balances, ovens, water bath oscillator, fume hoods, lab tables, and sprayers. It needs to consider the ventilation and water supply. Professionals collect and handle chemical waste liquids.
(9) Balance Room
Analytical balance is a necessary and commonly used instrument in chemical laboratories. High-precision balances need a special environment. They require no vibration, dust, wind, direct sunlight, or corrosive gases. The temperature must be constant. So, we use a dedicated balance room to meet these needs. Also, to boost efficiency, the balance room should be near the pre-processing room.
(10) Pre-treatment Room
The pre-treatment room is for experimental work. The textile lab tests organic and inorganic projects. So, we need to plan for two rooms: an organic and an inorganic pre-treatment room.
The organic pre-treatment room is for processing organic project samples. The tests require various organic reagents, most of which are volatile. So, you must do them in the fume cupboard. The room must be well ventilated with make-up air. The organic pre-treatment room has a fume hood, a central table (with a universal exhaust hood), and reagent cabinets. There is also an emergency sprinkler.
The inorganic pre-treatment room is for pre-treating inorganic project samples. The tests use strong corrosive acid. So, all furniture must be corrosion-resistant. The room should be well-ventilated with make-up air.
(11) Instrument analysis room
The instrument analysis room must have stricter indoor conditions than the pre-treatment room. It needs to control temperature and humidity, as well as dust. It also needs to manage exhaust, make-up air, gas supply, and shockproof requirements. In the textile chemistry lab, we use these tools: a mass spectrometer, liquid chromatography, ICP, an atomic absorption spectrometer, and a spectrophotometer.
(12)Colour fastness room
The colour fastness room in the textile lab tests the resistance of textile colours to external factors (e.g. friction, washing, perspiration). Colour fastness tests are crucial for textile quality control. They directly affect the products’ performance and durability in use.
There are many colour fastness testers. They include:dry and wet friction testers,washing testers,sweat testers,sweat ovens,dry-cleaning testers,iron-sublimation testers,yellowing testers,brushing testers
(13)Physical laboratory
A textile lab’s physical lab tests textiles’ physical properties. These include strength, abrasion resistance, elasticity, and dimensional stability. The lab’s design must meet specific testing standards. This ensures the tests’ accuracy and reliability.
It includes:an electronic fabric strength machine,an automatic bursting strength tester,a digital fabric tearing tester,a Martindale abrasion tester,an automatic single yarn strength machine,a yarn twisting tester,a strand length tester,.a rolling box pilling tester,a fabric abrasion tester,a fabric pilling tester,a messy tumbling pilling tester,a peg hammer hooking tester,a textile thickness gauge,textile vapour shrinkage tester,a textile stretch elasticity tester,a textile stiffness tester,an automatic textile stiffness tester,a fabric elasticity tester.Automatic fabric stiffness tester, fabric softness tester, fabric drape tester.
(14)Anti-static laboratory
Anti-static labs in the textile industry are important. They test the anti-static properties of textiles. Common instruments are: fabric friction charge testers (roller and manual), static voltage attenuation testers, and rotating friction electrostatic testers. Also used are textile surface resistance and point-to-point resistance testers. Note that the labs have high temperature and humidity requirements. High humidity will seriously affect the test results.
(15) Functional laboratory
The textile functionality lab tests various properties of textiles. These include comfort, durability, waterproofness, breathability, and more.
Common instruments include:Automatic fabric permeability tester,Fabric moisture permeability tester,Thermal resistance wet rent tester,Textile moisture evaporation rate tester,Dynamic moisture transfer performance test,Plate type fabric warmth meter,Textile thermal conductivity tester,Textile hygroscopic heating performance tester,Contact coolness tester,Fabric hydrostatic pressure tester,Textile water staining tester,Rain shower tester,Capillary effect instrument,Ultraviolet protection performance testing system,Textile light heat storage performance tester,Textile shading performance tester,Far infrared emissivity tester,Far infrared heating performance tester,Fabric stiffness tester,Fabric softness tester,Retroreflective coefficient tester,And others.
(16) Other laboratories
It contains small instruments. They are a density mirror, a sharp edge tester, a sharp point tester, a whiteness tester, and a fabric needle detector.
Summary
As science and technology advance, textile testing will improve. Testing standards will become stricter. In the future, textile testing will aim for high efficiency, accuracy, and eco-friendliness. It will use automated tests and smart data analysis to boost testing speed and accuracy.
For more information on textile testing methods/standards
or textile testing machines, contact us:
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