M^ °'^ Ca

NATIONAL BUREAU. §f STANDASDS

LXBSARY,

%

KBS TECHNICAL NOTE 822

\fSAV O?

U.S, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/ National Bureau of Standards
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology

and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts

research and provides: (I) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute for Applied Technology,

the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs.

THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United

States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system

with measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. The Institute consists of a Center for Radiation Research, an Office of Measurement Services and the following divisions: Applied Mathematics — Electricity — Mechanics — Heat — Optical Physics — Nuclear

Sciences " — Applied Radiation - — Quantum Electronics " — Electromagnetics ^ — Time

and Frequency " — Laboratory Astrophysics "' — Cryogenics ~. THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of well-characterized materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government; provides

advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and

distributes standard reference materials. The Institute consists of the Office of Standard Reference Materials and the following divisions: Analytical Chemistry — Polymers — Metallurgy — Inorganic Materials — Reactor

Radiation — Physical Chemistry.

THE INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY provides technical services to promote

the use of available technology and to facilitate technological innovation in industry and Government; cooperates with public and private organizations leading to the development of

technological standards (including mandatory safety standards), codes and methods of test; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. The Institute consists of a Center for Building Technology and the following divisions and offices: Engineering and Product Standards — Weights and Measures — Invention and Innovation — Product Evaluation Technology — Electronic Technology — Technical Analysis — Measurement Engineering — Structures, Materials, and Life Safety * — Building

Environment * — Technical Evaluation and Application * — Fire Technology.

THE INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts research and provides technical services designed to aid Government agencies in improving cost effec- tiveness in the conduct of their programs through the selection, acquisition, and effective

utilization of automatic data processing equipment; and serves as the principal focus within

the executive branch for the development of Federal standards for automatic data processing

equipment, techniques, and computer languages. The Institute consists of the following

divisions: Computer Services — Systems and Software — Computer Systems Engineering — Information Technology.

THE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION PROGRAMS promotes optimum dissemination and

accessibility of scientific information generated within NBS and other agencies of the Federal Government; promotes the development of the National Standard Reference Data System and

a system of information analysis centers dealing with the broader aspects of the National Measurement System; provides 'appropriate services to ensure that the NBS staff has optimum

accessibility to the scientific information of the world. The Office consists of the following

organizational units: Office of Standard Reference Data — Office of Information Activities -^ Office of Technical

Publications — Library — Oflfice of International Relations.

1 Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg, Maryland, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, D.C. 20234.

" Part of the Center for Radiation Research.

3 Located at Boulder, Colorado 80302.

* Part of the Center for Building Technology.
A Review of Federal

^ and Military Specifications

for Floor Coverings

Winthrop C. Wolfe

Center for Building Technology

Institute for Applied Technology

\J $f National Bureau of Standards

, tK* Washington, D.C. 20234

"^^ 'j€.&J^^-'^n^<^^ i^J^-C^ Kj9^^5^^

.< °^ -o, \ ^M'f /

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Frederick B. Dent, Secre/ary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Richard W. Roberts, D/recfor

Issued April 1974
National Bureau of Standards Technical Note 822

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 822, 99 pages (Apr. 1974) CODEN: NBTNAE

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1974

For sale l)y llie Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No. C13.46:822). Price $1.50
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Physical Requirements in Federal Specifications

for Floor Coverings 3

3. Sampling and Inspection 66

4. Conditioning Requirements in Federal Specifications

for Floor Coverings 69

5. Materials Requirements in Federal Specifications

for Floor Coverings 71

6. Conclusions and Recommendations for Improvements

in Performance Requirements 83

Table 1. Federal Specifications for Floor Coverings

including Carpet 4, 5

Table 2. Physical Requirements in Federal Specifications

for Floor Coverings 6-8

Table 3. Military Specifications for Monolithic Surfacings

and Federal Specifications for Polyurethane

Coatings 9-10

Table 4. Physical Requirements for Monolithic Surfacings

in Military Specifications and for Polyurethane

Coatings in Federal Specifications 11-12

Table 5. Summary of Conditioning Requirements in Federal

Specifications for Floor Coverings 70

Index 90

iix
CONVERSION FACTORS

In view of the present practice of writing Federal and other United

States Government specifications, common U. S. units of measurement

have been used throughout in this paper. However, in recognition of the

position of the United States as a signatory to the General Conference

on Weights and Measures, which gave official status to the metric SI

system of units in 1960, attention is drawn to the following table of

conversion factors:

^-5* Length

1 in (in) = 0.0254* meter (m) 1 mil = 0.001* inch = 2.54 x 10 m

1 foot (ft) = 0.3048* m

1 yard (yd) = 0.9144* m

Area

1 sq. in. (in^) = 6.4516* x 10 m^

1 sq. ft. (ftp = 0.09290 m"^ 1 sq. yd. (yd ) = 0.8361 m2

Volume „

-c: 7 1 cu. in. (in„) = 1.6387 x 10_„ m

1 cu. ft. (ft ) = 2.8317 X 10 m

Mass -2

1 ounce (mass) avoirdupois (oz av) = 2.83495 x 10 kilogram (kg)

1 pound (mass) (Ibm av) = 0.45359 kg

Force

1 pound (force) (Ibf av) = 4.448 newton (N)

Pressure, Stress (Force/Area)

2 1 lb. (force) per sq. in. (psi) = 6895 N/m

Mass/Area -2

1 ounce (mass) per sq. yd. (oz av/yd ) = 3.3906 x 10 kg/m

Mass /Volume _ „ 1 lb. (mass) per cu. ft. (Ibm/ft ) = 16.02 kg/m

Temperature*

t^ = (tp -32)/1.8, where

t = degrees Celsius (°C.)

t- = degrees Fahrenheit (°F,)

r *exactly

IV
A REVIEW OF FEDERAL AND MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLOOR COVERINGS

Winthrop C. Wolfe

In this manual, which is organized so as to aid ready reference,

requirements and test methods in Federal and Military Specifications for

flooring, or floor coverings are combined, indexed and reviewed. The

manual covers carpet, resilient flooring, monolithic surfacings or seamless flooring, and polyurethane coatings related to seamless flooring.

It also covers all serviceability requirements except those relating to

f lammability, fire safety and acoustical properties.

Physical and material requirements in Federal Specifications for floor

coverings are considered in separate sections. Military Specifications

for monolithic surfacings and Federal Specifications for floor coverings

and polyurethane coatings are summarized in comprehensive tables. Under

each physical requirement, comments indicate whether it is a quality

control or a performance requirement. Each comment is followed by a list

of those Federal Specifications which include the requirement and a brief description of the criteria and test methods in the specifications.

Comments on materials requirements relate to their adequacy and applicability to the product for which they were written. Finally, recommendations are made for improvements in performance requirements which

should be considered for inclusion in future flooring and floor covering

specifications.

Keywords: Carpets; floor coverings; government; performance; procurement;

specifications; standards; tests; user needs.

1. INTRODUCTION

For many years, the National Bureau of Standards has assisted in writing

Federal Specifications and Test Method Standards and has participated

in the development of related test methods. Also, test development

has been done by technical committees of standards-making bodies in

which the Bureau has participated. Recently flooring and other end-use

or consumer products have received attention, with attempts being made

to establish standards and specifications based on performance characteristics rather than on materials and design. Committees of the

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) presently working on

test methods for floori.ng are as follows:

Resilient Floor Coverings

Committee F-6 on Resilient Floor Coverings

Committee D-21 on Polishes

Carpets and Rugs

Committee D-13 on Textile Materials; Subcommittee D-13.21 on Pile Floor Coverings
Monolithic Surfacings or Seamless Flooring

Committee C-3 on Chemical-Resistant Nonmetallic Materials;

Subcommittee CO-3.02 - Mortars and Monolithics

Committee D-1 on Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related

Products; Subcommittee DO-1.47 - Seamless Flooring

In 1967 the author prepared an unpublished report on performance specifications for floor coverings, which included a review and critique of

Federal Specifications for resilient floor coverings and for carpets and

rugs. ASTM Committee F-6 was interested in this report and the author

received a number of inquiries and requests for it. The present publication is revised, expanded, and updated version of this unpublished

report. The purpose of this publication is to provide a manual to

facilitate location of requirements and test methods for floor coverings

in Federal and Military specifications and to provide a review and

critique designed to aid the improvement of these specifications.

Improvements suggested in this manual include standardization of details

and test conditions and suggestions for additional requirements and test

methods. Additional requirements suggested are mostly of the performance

type.

Requirements and test methods in Federal Specifications for floor coverings are summarized and indexed for the first time in this manual. All

requirements except for those relating to f la.mmability , fire safety, and

acoustics are covered. The term "floor coverings" is used in the broad

sense to cover carpets and rugs, resilient flooring or floor coverings,

and monolithic surfacings or seamless flooring. Federal Specifications

for floor coverings are listed and indexed in tables 1 and 2. Military

Specifications for monolithic surfacings and Federal Specifications for

polyurethane coatings are summarized in tables 3 and 4.

Federal Specifications for floor coverings are presently based on a combination of material, quality control, and performance requirements.

Physical requirements are discussed in section 2 and materials requirements in section 5. Under each physical requirement in section 2 are comments indicating whether it is considered to be a quality control or

a performance requirement. Following the comments is a list of those

Federal Specifications which include each requirement and a description

of the criteria and test methods in each specification. The description of the test method is more detailed in cases where there is

disagreement between specifications or between a specification and a Federal Test Method Standard. Comments on materials requirements in

section 5 relate to their adequacy and applicability to the product for

which they were written.

This study was undertaken as a contribution to the standardization and

improvement of Federal Specifications for flooring. It is recommended

that test methods for each type of floor covering should be standardized

and appear in a Federal Test Method Standard. Each specification should

include performance requirements, criteria, and tests, so that decisions

can be made as to what type of floor covering to use for a given type of

service.
2. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS IN FEDERAL • SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLOOR COVERINGS

While there are many test methods in Federal Specifications for floor

coverings, the basic reference for test methods for nontextile resilient

floor coverings is Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, FLOOR

COVERINGS, RESILIENT, NONTEXTILE: SAMPLING AND TESTING, June 15, 1966.

The corresponding reference for carpets and rugs is Federal Test Method

Standard No. 191, TEXTILE TEST METHODS, December 31, 1968. There is some cross-referencing in the specifications to these standards. Many

specifications refer to Standard 501, which was superseded by 501a; and

to Federal Specification CCC-T-191, which was superseded by CCC-T-191b

and then by Federal Test Method Standard No. 191. References in this

manual have been updated and checked to make sure that the method

cited is correct.

Federal Specifications and Test Method Standards may be obtained from

one of the GSA Business Centers or from General Services Administration,

Specifications Activity, Printed Materials Supply Division, Building

197, Naval Weapons Plant, Washington, D. C. 20407. The best way to

keep up with changes is to subscribe to INDEX OF FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS

AND STANDARDS, which appears annually. It is for sale by the

Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office,

Public Documents Department, Washington, D. C. 20402. The subscription

price is presently $14.00 a year, whicn includes cumulative supplements.

The INDEX is also available in United States Government Depository

Libraries, a list of which is available in most major libraries.
Table 1. Federal Specifications for Floor Coverings including Carpet

b Floor covering Specification

No.

Carpet

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON,

ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE DDD-C-95^

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE,

OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT,

HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED,

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING

Resilient Floor Coverings

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE

(TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING L-F-475A

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559'^

L-F-00450A^

f

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR

TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE

WITH BACKING

FLOOR COVERING LINOLEUM

L-F-001641

LLL-F-1238A

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC

FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE) SS-F-001032

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER

VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS SS-T-312Ag

Monolithic Surfacings or Seamless Flooring

COATING SYSTEM DECORATIVE

AND PROTECTIVE - SEAMLESS TT-C-001685

Type

INT,

INT.

INT.

INT.

INT.

INT.

Date

April 16, 1965

July 11, 1966

April 14, 1969

May 27, 1970

March 11, 1965

January 28, 1971

September 17, 1970

October 19, 1966

June 2, 1966

May 10, 1971

Federal Specifications may be obtained from one of the GSA Business

Centers or from General Services Administration, Specifications

Activity, Printed Materials Supply Division, Bldg. 197, Naval

Weapons Plant, Washington, D. C. 20407.

INT. if an INTERIM SPECIFICATION, which is optional; otherwise mandatory

or an official standard.
Table 1. Federal Specifications for Floor Coverings including

Carpet (continued)

c. Including INTERIM AMENDMENT-2, July 9, 1970, superseding INT.

AMENDMENT-1.

d. Including AMENDMENT-1, July 9, 1970.

e. Filled vinyl tile and roll (sheet) without backing.

f. Including AMENDMENT-1, October 11, 1965.

f. SS-T-312B in process to supersede SS-T-312A.
Table 2. Physical Requirements in Federal Specifications for Floor

Coverings

Physical Requirement

Abrasion resistance

Adherence of backing,

cushioning

Adhesion to substrate

Aging (accelerated)

Carpets and

Rugs

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001559

Resilient Floor

Coverings

L-F-001641

L-F-475A

LLL-F-1238A

DDD-C-95 (backing, cushioning)

DDD-C-001559 (cushioning)

Appearance (See Color, Defects, Surface texturing)

Application properties

Bleed-through control

Breaking strength

Color

Colorf astness

Compressibility

(rubber cushioning)

Compression set

(rubber cushioning)

Curl resistance

Defects (finish,

appearance) control

Deflection of tile

Depth of depressed areas Dielectric strength

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559 (vinyl cushioning)

L-F-475A

SS-T-312A

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001559

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001559

SS-T-312A

L-F-00450A

L-F-475A

L-F-001641

LLL-F-1238A

SS-F-001032

SS-T-312A,

SS-T-312A

SS-T-312A

L-F-00450A

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559

Monolithic

Surfacings or Seamless Floor

Systems

TT-C-001685

TT-C-001685

TT-C-001685

TT-C-001685

TT-C-001685

TT-C-001685
Table 2. Physical Requirements in Federal Specifications for Floor

Coverings (continued)

Physical Requirement

Dimensional stability

Dusting control (chips)

Electrical conductance

Elongation (vinyl

cushioning)

Finish

Flame resistance

Carpets and

Rugs

DDD-C-001559

Resilient Floor

Coverings

L-F-00450A

L-F-475A

L-F-001641

SS-T-312A

LLL-F-1238A

LLL-F-1238A

DDD-C-95 and INT. AMENDMENT-2

DDD-C-001173 and AMENDMENT1

DDD-C-001559 and AMENDMENT-1

Flexibility or Pliability DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559

(vinyl cushioning)

Hardness

Impact resistance

Indentation resistance

L-F-00450A

L-F-475A

L-F-001641

LLL-F-1238A

SS-F-001032

SS-T-312A

SS-T-312A

SS-T-312A

L-F-00450a

L-F-475A

L-F-001641

LLL-F-1238A

SS-F-001032

SS-T-312A

Keying (See Adherence of backing)

Moth repellency (See Resistance to larvae)

Resistance to chemicals, grease,

oil, and solvents

L-F-00450A

L-F-475A

L-F-001641

SS-F-001032

SS-T-312A

Monolithic

Surfacings

TT-C-001685

TT-C-001685

TT-C-001685

Resistance to insects (See Resistance to larvae)
Table 2. Physical Requirements in Federal Specifications for Floor

Coverings (continued)

Physical Requirement

Resistance to larvae

Carpet^ and

Rugs

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001173

Resilient Floor

Coverings

Monolithic

Surfacings

Resistance to microorganisms (See Resistance to mildew)

Resistance to mildew DDD-C-001173

Scratch resistance (See Resistance to chemicals, grease, oil, and solvents)

Seam strength

Shrinkage resistance

Size and tolerance

control (See

Thickness)

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559 (See Colorfastness)

DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559

Squareness of tile

Surface texturing (See Appearance)

Tensile strength

L-F-00450A

L-F-475A

L-F-001641

LLL-F-1238A

SS-F-001032

SS-T-312A

L-F-475A

SS-T-312A

Thickness or Pile

height

DDD-C-95 (pile, L-F-00450A

cushioning)

L-F-475A

L-F-001641

LLL-F-1238A

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-001559

(pile, cushioning)

Volatility control DDD-C-001559

(vinyl cushioning)

SS-F-001032

SS-T-312A

SS-T-312A

Water resistance

Wear (See Abrasion resistance)

Weight DDD-C-95

DDD-C-001173

DDD-C-,001559

TT-C-001685

(chips)

TT-C-001685
3. Table 3. Military Specifications for Monolithic Surfacings and

Federal Specifications for Polyurethane Coatings''

a b

Military Specifications for Monolithic Surfacings '

MIL-D-3134F: Adhesive strength, aging (as accelerated weathering

resistance), color, corrosion resistance, fire resistance, heat

resistance, impact resistance, indentation, moisture absorption,

resistance to moisture and temperature changes, odor, oil

resistance, shock resistance (mechanical), slip resistance, wear

resistance.

MIL-F-52505: Aging (as accelerated weathering resistance),

hardness, impact resistance, resistance to fumigants, resistance

to microorganisms (as fungistatic and bacteriostatic resistance)

,

resistance to reagents (as chemical resistance) , resistance to

stains, resistance to thermal shock, resistance to ultraviolet

light, shrinkage resistance, water resistance (as porosity), wear

or abrasion resistance.

MIL-D-0016680D: Color, density, impact resistance, indentation,

moisture absorption, resistance to corrosion, resistance to

elevated temperature, resistance to moisture and temperature

changes, resistance to staining, serviceability (defects), shear

strength, shock resistance (impact), slip resistance.

MIL-D-18873B: Adhesion or bonding, bond strength in shear, ease

of repair, electrical conductivity, fire resistance, impact

resistance, indentation, live load resistance, moisture absorption,

nailability, resistance to oils, resistance to staining, slip

resistance, sparking resistance, wear resistance, weight.

MIL-D-23134: Adhesion or bonding, bond strength in shear, impact

resistance, indentation, thermal conductivity, water absorption,

weight.

Federal Specifications for Polyurethane Coatings

TT-C-540B, September 29, 1965, COATING, POLYURETHANE CLEAR,

LINSEED-OIL MODIFIED: Abrasion resistance, adhesion, aging

(as accelerated weathering resistance), appearance, color,

film hardness, flexibility, impact resistance, odor, spotting

resistance, water resistance.

TT-C-00542C, September 13, 1972, COATING, POLYURETHANE, OIL-FREE,

MOISTURE-CURING: Appearance of dried film, flexibility,

hardness (pencil), odor, wear or abrasion resistance.
a. The following Military Specifications cover resinous monolithic

surfacings:

MIL-D-3134F, 24 January 1962, DECK COVERING MATERIALS, including

AMENDMENT-5, 6 January 1969 and INTERIM AMENDMENT-6, 3 April

1972

MIL-F-52505, 22 April 1966, FLOOR COATING, RESINOUS MONOLITHIC,

TROWEL TYPE (FOR WOOD AND CONCRETE FLOORS)

The following Military Specifications were written to cover magnesium

oxychloride flooring:

_MIL-D-0016680C, 15 July 1969, DECK COVERING MAGNESIA AGGREGATE

MIXTURE, including AMENDMENT-2, 29 October 1962 (covers

deck covering for use in galleys, pantries, and butcher shops

aboard ship. It should not be used for areas or locations

where it is subjected to continual wetting, such as washrooms,

water closet spaces, and under equipment where the deck is

generally wet)

.

MIL-D-18873B, 20 July 1959, DECK COVERING MAGNESIA AGGREGATE

MIXTURE, including AMENDMENT-1, 11 September 1961 (covers

deck covering for use over wood floors in ammunition box

cars or ammunition vans)

.

MIL-D-23134, 17 January 1962, DECK UNDERLAY AND COVERING, INSULATING,

MAGNESIA AGGREGATE MIXTURE (for use over such areas aboard

ship as ballast tanks and hot machinery spaces)

.

b. Physical requirements are listed after each specification aumber.

10

St
Table 4. Physical Requirements for Monolithic Surfaoings in Military

Specifications and for Polyurethane Coatings in Federal Specifications

Abrasion resistance. Wear resistance MIL-D-3134F, MIL-F-52505,

MIL-D-18873B, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B, TT-C-00542C

*Adhesive strength, adhesion, bonding, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-18873B,

MIL-D-23134, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B

Aging, accelerated weathering resistance, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-F-52505,

Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B

Appearance, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B, TT-C4P0542C

Color, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-0016680C, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B

*Corrosion resistance, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-0016680C

*Density, MIL-D-0016680C

*Ease of repair, MIL-D-18873B

Electrical conductivity, MIL-D-18873B

*Fire resistance, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-18873B

Flexibility, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B, TT-C-00542C

Hardness, film hardness, MIL-F-52505, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B, TT-C-00542C

*Heat resistance, resistance to elevated temperature, MIL-D-3134F,

MIL-D-OO1660OC

Impact resistance, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-F-52505, MIL-D-0016680C,

MIL-D-18873B, MIL-D-23134, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B

Indentation, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-0016680C , MIL-D-18873B, MIL-D-23134

*Live load resistance, MIL-D-18873B

*Moisture absorption, water absorption, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-0016680C,

MIL-D-18873B, MIL-D-23134

*Nailability, MIL-D-18873B

*Odorlessness , odor, MIL-D-3134F, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B, TT0C-00542C

*Resistance to fumigants, MIL-F-52505

11
Table 4. Physical Requirements for Monolithic Surfacings in

JtLlitary Specifications and for Polyurethane Coatings in Federal

Specifications (continued)

Resistance to microorganisms, fungistatic and bacteriostatic resistance,

MIL-F-52505

Resistance to moisture and temperature changes, MIL-D-3134F,

MIL-D-0016680C

Resistance to oils, oil resistance, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-18873B

Resistance to reagents, chemical resistance, MIL-F-52505

*Resistance to stains or staining, MIL-F-52505, MIL-D-0016680C

,

MIL-D-18873B

*Resistance to thermal shock, MIL-F-52505

*Resistance to ultraviolet light, MIL-F-52505

Serviceability (defects), MIL-D-0016680C

*Shear strength, MIL-D-0016680C , MIL-D-18873B, MIL-D-23134

Shock resistance (mechanical or impact), MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-0016680C

Shrinkage resistance, MIL-F-52505

*Slip resistance, MIL-D-3134F, MIL-D-0016680C, MIL-D-18873B

*Sparking resistance, MIL-D-18873B

*Spotting resistance. Fed. Spec. TT-CiJ540B

*Thermal conductivity, MIL-D-23134

Water resistance, porosity, MIL-F-52505, Fed. Spec. TT-C-540B

Weight, MIL-D-18873B, MIL-D-231S4

I

*Does not appear in table 3.

dtZ
1 2 3

0.020 0.014 0.010

1.5 1.0 0.6

ABRASION

Physical requirements in Federal Specifications for floor coverings are

listed alphabetically in this section. After each requirement are comments and a list of specifications in which the requirement is found.

Under each specification is a description of criteria and test methods

applying to the particular requirement.

Requirement : Abrasion resistance

Comments : See Wear

Specifications :

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.3, 3.4, Table I.

Criterion : No break through of vinyl surface at any point with

zinc weight loss as follows:

Class

Wearing surface thickness, minimum, inch

Zinc loss, gram

Test: Method B - Bonded Abrasive on Cloth or Paper (Abrasive

Tape) , ASTM D 1242-56 (reapproved 1969) , Standard Method of Test for

RESISTANCE TO ABRASION OF PLASTIC MATERIALS with additional

requirements as follows:

a. Specimens shall be cut in factory machine direction.

b. Specific gravity need not be determined.

c. Coarse grit procedure of Note 5 using OE Flint Abrasive

Paper shall be applicable.

d. Zinc standard shall be weighed prior to start of test.

e. Sufficient cycles shall be completed to obtain the required

zinc weight loss for the applicable class.

f. Specimen shall be observed at the conclusion of the test

using a low power magnifying glass.

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.1.4. Top coat (glazed) - Unit 4.

Criterion : Maximum wear index 50 with CS 17 wheel; 1000 gram load

on each wheel; 1000 cycles.

Test : As in Federal Specification TT-C-00542C, 4.3.11, Tables I and III, referring to Method 6192, Federal Test Method Standard No.

141a.

ADHERENCE

Requirement : Adherence of backing or cushioning

Comments : This is a quality control requirement for carpets and rugs,

linoleum, and backed vinyl and refers to adhesion of the woven fiber or wear layer to a backing or cushioning material.

13
ADHERENCE

Specifications

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLiC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95

Criterion : Adherence of backing reinforcement, 3.7.1.2.2, 4.4,

4.5.5, Table XI.

Test : Method 5100, Federal Test Method Standard No. 191 with

the following modifications:

Cut finished samples, with backing reinforcement applied, 2 inches wide in width direction by 6 inches long in length direction.

Strip the backing reinforcement from the test specimen for approximately 1-1/2 inches at one end of the 2 inch wide ends. Set jaws

1 inch apart, clamp the loose end of the backing reinforcement in

the lower jaw and the loose end of the carpet in the upper jaw.

Start tester and record the average load required to strip the

backing reinforcement. Make three tests, average results, and

divide by two to secure the pounds strip per inch of width. The

average shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 pound. The strip

requirement shall be a minimum of 2.0 pounds per inch of width.

Criterion : Adherence of cushioning , 3.2.5.e, 4.4, 4.5.10, Table XI.

(Classes, see under Compressibility).

Test : Class 1 rubber cushioning should tear before pulling free

from the carpet. A specimen of carpet with attached cushioning is

exposed to accelerated aging by exposure in a circulating air oven

for 96 hours at 90° ± 2°F. After removal of the sample from the

oven, the sample is allowed to cool to room temperature, then the

base carpet is grasped with the fingers of one hand and the thickness of the rubber cushioning with the fingers of the other hand

and pulled firmly in opposite directions. The cushioning should

tear before pulling free from the carpet.

Test : Class 2 rubber cushioning attached to carpet or rug in strip

form by an adhesive shall have a minimum strip strength of 2.0

pounds per inch of width, when tested in accordance with 4.5.5, or

as in Adherence of backing reinforcement .

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559

Criterion : Adherence of attached rubber cushioning, 3.3.5.1.3, 4.4,

4.5.8, Table V.

14
ADHERENCE

Test ; Grasp the base carpet with the fingers of one hand and the

thickness of the cushioning with the fingers of the other hand and

pull firmly in opposite directions. The cushioning should tear

before pulling free from the carpet.

FLOOR COVERING, VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.3

Criterion : The backing shall be bonded to the back of the wear

layer . Test : When an attempt is made to pull the wear layer from the

backing by hand, the backing shall delaminate or break before the

bonding fails.

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A

3.1.3.1, Organic felt backing. Type I, class 1 and Type III

Criterion : The backing material shall be securely bonded to the wear layer.

Test: When an attempt is made to pull the wear layer from the

backing by hand, the backing shall split or break before the bonding

fails. The exposed side of the backing shall not mar the appearance

of the wearing surface or cause sticking at points of contact.

3.1.3.2, Burlap backing, Type I, class 2 and Type II.

Criterion : The burlap backing shall be firmly bonded and keyed to

the linoleum mix so as to be partially concealed in the mix.

ADHESION

Requirement : Adhesion to substrate

Comments : This is a performance requirement for monolithic surfacings,

which applies to coatings and to floor coverings applied with adhesives.

Specification :

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.6.2, 4.3.9, Table IV

Criterion : The system shall show no removal or otherwise loosening

of the whole coating system beyond 1/16 inch on either side of the score line. There shall be no separation or flaking of the coats.

Test : Two 9- by 9-inch commercial vinyl asbestos tiles are stripped;

cleaned with detergent; rinsed with water; and dried. The coating

system is then applied in the following order: base coat; intermediate coat; flakes; intermediate coat; 5 coats of moisture-cure

15
ADHESION

polyurethane. A line is scored on one corner of each panel with a sharp pointed knife, clear to the edge and through the coating to

the substrate. The film (coating system) is then taped perpendicular

to and across the line with waterproof, pressure sensitive tape,

3/4 inch wide, conforming to Type IV, Federal Specification PP-T-60.

The tape is pressed in firm contact with the film and extends for

approximately 1 inch on each side of the score line. All air

bubbles are rolled out by firm pressure of the thumb. Approximately

10 seconds are allowed for the test area to return to room

temperature. A free end of the tape is grasped and stripped from

the film at a rapid speed, pulling the tape back at an angle of

180°.

AGING

Requirement : Aging

Comments : Accelerated aging is a quality control test for rubber

cushioning used in carpets and rugs. A test of this type might be

developed to predict the service life of floor coverings. A practical

test for service change of appearance has been developed for carpets and

rugs. (See Appearance). Service change of appearance is a performance

requirement related to aging and also to wear or abrasion resistance.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC , POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.2.5.f, 4.5.11 (See also 4.5.10.1 and

Adherence of backing , DDD-C-95)

Criterion and Test : The specimen is placed in an oxygen bomb at

158°F. and 300 ± 10 lbs. per sq. in. (psi) for 7 days. Upon

removal the sample shall not be sticky or crack when bent back

upon itself.

Attached or class 1 rubber cushioning is removed from the carpet

as described under Compressibility , DDD-C-95, Test . Class 2 rubber

cushioning is tested before adhering to the carpet.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559

Criterion and Test : Rubber cushioning, accelerated aging test , 3.3.5.1.f, 4.4, 4.5.9, Table V.

A piece of the rubber cushioning shall be placed in an oxygen bomb

(not more than 1 ounce of rubber per 170 cu. in. of oxygen) at

a temperature of 158°F. and a pressure of 300 lbs. (±10 lbs.) per

sq. in. (psi) for a period of 7 days. Upon removal, the sample

shall not be sticky and shall not crack when bent back upon itself.

1£>
AGING

Criterion and Testing : Vinyl cushioning, accelerated weathering , 3.3.5.2.d, 4.4, Table V.

When subjected to an accelerated weathering test, the cushion shall

not crack, become stiff and brittle, or soft and tacky, and shall

not change color appreciably when compared to the unexposed sample

after 100 hours In the weatherometer . Reference: Method 5804,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 191.

APPEARANCE

Requirement : Appearance

Comments : Appearance and service change of appearance are performance

characteristics. As a performance requirement, appearance might be

considered under defects ( finish and appearance ) . The term appearance

should cover color, grain, pattern, design, texture, and other surface

properties visible to the eye. Floor covering should be attractive In

appearance and representative samples should be submitted by the

bidders. The product supplied to the purchaser should be as represented

by the sample and should be uniform In appearance. Consideration should

be given to change In appearance during normal use. A practical test

which has been developed for carpets and rugs Is ASTM D2401-67, Standard

Method of Test for SERVICE CHANGE OF APPEARANCE OF PILE FLOOR COVERINGS.

In this method, a corridor Is covered with test specimens and pedestrian

traffic Is counted. After the test period, photographs are taken and

compared with reference photographs which show degrees of change of

appearance. Smooth surface resilient floor coverings should be supplied

and Installed In such a manner that the seams are straight and parallel

or perpendicular to the grain or pattern of the material. Joint lines

or seams between tiles should be even and straight and should form a grid of mutually perpendicular lines.

Specifications : See Defects (finish and appearance)

.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.2, 6.2

Criterion and Test : The color or pattern shall be as specified.

The overall color and pattern effect shall be obtained by printing,

coloring, or surface texturing, or any combination. A background

may be printed under the wear layer with suitably formulated fade

resistant inks or otherwise prepared to create a pattern or texture.

Dye colors, pigments, and extenders may be Incorporated throughout

the wear layer. The wear surface may be smooth, embossed, or otherwise textured.

APPLICATION

Requirement : Application properties

17
APPLICATION

Comments : This is a performance requirement for monolithic surfacings

,

which applies to coatings and to floor coverings applied with adhesives.

Specification ;

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.6.1, 4.3.8, Table IV

Criterion : The base coat, intermediate coat, and the (polyurethane)

top coat shall brush, spray, and roll satisfactorily.

Test : Three asphalt tiles, conforming to Federal Specification

SS-T-312A, are cleaned first with wax remover, then with detergent

and are then rinsed with water and dried. On one of the tiles are then brushed two coats of the base coat at the spreading rate of

approximately 250 square feet per gallon, allowing 2 hours between

coats. While brushing, observe for pull under brush and for

separation or breaks in the film. Allow to dry for 2 hours, then

examine for film irregularities. Apply the intermediate coat at

the same spreading rate over the base coat and observe for lifting,

compatibility, and film irregularities. Then spread the decorative

chips evenly and in excess. Allow 45 minutes to set and then wipe

off excess chips. Apply one coat of the intermediate at the same spreading rate and allow to dry for 24 hours.

BLEED-THROUGH

Requirement : Bleed-through control

Comments : This is a quality control requirement for monolithic surfacings

applied over previously finished or old surfaces, as in rehabilitation.

This requirement would also apply to organic coatings.

Specification :

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.6.3, 4.3.10, Table IV

Criterion : The coating system shall show no bleeding through or discoloration of the outer film. There shall be no difference

between a stained and unstained test tile.

Test : Using the other cleaned panel from the adhesion test (See

under Requirement : Adhesion to substrate ) , apply on the surface of

the clean panel a generous portion of the following stains:

asphalt cut-back tile adhesive; umber, ochre, and sienna oil

pigments; black lanolin wax shoe polish; black alcohol base ink

used in felt tip marking pens; black paste type shoe polish; red

lipstick; red china marking crayon; and aqueous Mercurochrome

solution. Place the stains at least 2 inches apart and allow to

dry at room temperature for 24 hours. Apply the coating system

as in the adhesion test and condition for 5 days.

18
BREAKING

Requirement : Breaking strength

Comments : Breaking strength is a quality control test for nonwoven

polyprop3^1ene carpet or for vinyl cushioning.

Specifications :

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173

,

3.4, 4.4, Tables I, VI

Criterion : The finished carpet shall have a breaking strength of

70 lbs. force in the machine direction (lengthwise) and 90 lbs. in

the width direction.

Test : Method 5100, Federal Test Method Standard No. 191, with

4-inch separation or jaws. The 4- by 6-inch specimen is placed in

the jaws (1 inch wide) of a tensile testing machine with 4 inches

gage length.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED,

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559

Criterion and Test : Vinyl cushioning , 3.3.5.2.b, 4.4, 4.5,10,

Table V. Breaking strength shall be not less than 20 lbs. force

in both machine and transverse directions as determined by a modification of Method 4111, Federal Test Method Standard No.

501a. Report shall be made in lbs. rather than in lbs. per sq.

in. (psi) . Thickness of sample need not be determined. Die II

should be used in lieu of die III.

COLOR

Requirement : Color

Comments : See Appearance

Specifications :

FLOOR COVERING, VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, Interim Amendment-2, 3.4

Criterion and Test : The color and pattern of the wearing surface

shall be as specified, as by specific color numbers of the

manufacturer. In through-surface patterns the color and pattern

shall extend throughout the thickness of the wearing surface. In

surface pattern products the color and pattern need not extend

throughout the entire thickness of the wearing surface.

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS , SS-T-312A,

3.2

19
COLOR

Criterion and Test : Tiles of plain color shall be uniform throughout. In mottled and marbleized tile, the marbleizing and mottling

shall be throughout the thickness of the tile. In surface pattern

tile, the pattern for contrasting colors is only on the surface.

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.4.2

Criterion and Test : The color shall match standard color specified

by purchaser. The color pattern shall be mutually agreed upon by

purchaser and supplier.

COLORFASTNESS

Requirement : Colorfastness

Comments : Colorfastness is a quality control test for carpets and rugs

but might be considered as a colorfastness requirement for all types of

floor coverings.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.3.1, 4.4, 4.5.12, Table XI

Criterion : The carpeting or rugs shall show fastness to light and

wet-method cleaning equal to or better than the standard sample.

When no standard sample is established, the carpeting and rugs

shall show good fastness to wet-method cleaning and light. They

shall show a rating of good for light colors after 20 standard

fading hours (2000 Langleys) , and for dark colors after 40 standard

fading hours (4000 Langleys) . The supplier is to submit with his

bid and samples a certified list of the colors, identification of

these colors by the bidder's color number, and the category of

"light" and "dark" into which each color is classified by the

supplier. This list is to be submitted for each pattern and

coloration.

Test : For colorfastness to light, testing shall be as specified in

Federal Test Method Standard No. 191, Method 5660 (or 5662, in

disputed cases)

.

Test : For colorfastness to wet-method cleaning, a 12 by 12 inch

sample of the specified carpet shall be conditioned under standard

conditions specified in Section 4, Federal Test Method Standard

No. 191 for a period of 24 hours. The specimen shall then be

marked and measured at three different locations in the length

and width directions. Immerse the sample in 110°F. water for 15

minutes; mix 2 g of sodium alkyl sulfate type of detergent with 50

g water at 110°F. and apply to the pile surface of the carpet.

Scrub the sample with a soft bristle brush by stroking back and

20
COLORFASTNESS

forth 20 times— (10 times in each unilateral direction) in both

length and width directions; rinse well to remove majority of

detergent; squeeze dry—'; and dry in an oven at 125°F until bone

dry_' ; again condition under standard conditions for 24 hours.

Colorfastness evaluation shall be in accordance with 5.10, Method

561 0^/, Federal Test Method Standard No. 191.

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173

,

3.7, 4.4, 4.5.6, Table VI

Criterion : The carpet shall show good fastness to light after 500

hours and good fastness to wet-method cleaning.

Test: Colorfastness to light shall be determined as in Method

5660, Federal Test Method Standard No. 191.

Test : The sample subjected to the shrinkage test (see Shrinkage

resistance, DDD-C-001173) shall be evaluated for colorfastness to

wet-method cleaning in accordance with Method 5610^' , Federal

Test Method Standard No. 191.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED,

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.4.1, 4.4, 4.5.12, Table V

Criterion : The carpet shall show fastness to light and wet-method

cleaning equal to or better than the standard sample. When no standard sample is established, the carpet shall show good fastness

to wet-method cleaning and light. It shall show a rating of good

for light colors after 20 standard fading hours (2000 Langleys) , and

for dark colors after 40 standard fading hours (4000 Langleys)

4/ Test : Colorfastness to light shall be as in Method 5660—,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 191, TEXTILE TEST METHODS. .In the

event of a dispute resulting from the test with Method 5660— or

as a result of suspected anomalous behavior of certain dye types or formulations, the contracting officer shall authorize the exposure

to natural light in accordance with Method 5662^' .

Test: Colorfastness to wet-method cleaning is described under

Shrinkage .

\J This is the wording used in DDD-C-95. However, this apparently means

back and forth ten times or for a total of ten cycles.

Ij These terms are used in DDD-C-95 and need to be defined.

Zj Method 5610 refers to Method 9010 for evaluation of colorfastness.

Method 9010 differs from Methods 5660 and 5662, used to evaluate

colorfastness to light.

hj See Footnote 3 under DDD-C-95.

21
COMPRESSIBILITY

Requirement : Compressibility

CoTTiTTients : This Is a performance requirement for rubber cushioning for

carpets, related to body comfort.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.2.5.C, 4.4, 4-5.8, Table XI

Criterion : The number of pounds required to compress the sample

shall be the compressibility, which shall be not less than 5 nor more than 9.

Test : Class 1 - Rubber cushioning manufactured and cured in place.

Class 2 - Rubber cushioning manufactured prior to application and

fastened to the carpet with adhesive. Specimen for test for Class

1 shall be a one-inch square sample the thickness of the cushioning,

secured by dissecting the carpet materials, using care to minimize

the removal of rubber with the embedded carpet material. Specimen

for test for Class 2 shall be a one-inch square sample cut from the

full thickness of the cushioning material before adhering to the

carpet.

In the test, the specimen shall be compressed to 75 percent of its

original thickness. Thickness shall be measured with a gage having

a circular foot one square inch in area under a load of 100 grams

(0.220 lbs.)

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.3.5.1.C, 4.4, 4.5.6.1, Table V.

Criterion : The compressibility shall be not less than 3.5 pounds

nor more than 7.5 pounds.

Test : Same classes of rubber cushioning, method of sampling, and

test method as for DDD-C-95 above.

COMPRESSION

Requirement : Compression set

Comments : Compression set is a performance requirement for rubber

cushioning used in carpets and rugs, relating to matting from furniture

and footwear.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.2.5.d, 4.4, 4.5.9, Table XI

Criterion : The compression set of the rubber cushioning shall not

be more than 15 percent.

22
COMPRESSION

Test : The specimen shall be a two-inch square secured as under

Compressibility . Thickness shall be measured as under Compressibility . The specimen shall be compressed 50 percent of its

original thickness between two parallel plates. The sample compressed

shall be placed in a Geer oven at 158°F. (±2°F) for 22 hours

(±1/2 hr.), removed from the plates, and allowed to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. The loss in thickness or compression

set shall be expressed as a percentage of the original thickness.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.3.5.1.d, 4.4, 4.5.7, Table V.

Criterion : The compression set of the rubber cushioning shall be

not more than 15.0 percent for class 1 rubber and not more than

7.5 percent for class 2 rubber.

Test : Same as for DDD-C-95 above, same classes of rubber cushioning,

and same method of sampling.

CURL

Requirement : Curl resistance

Comments : Resistance to curl due to contact with water may be considered

to be a performance requirement for tile. However, this effect might be

tested in a more realistic' manner . Specimens might be cemented to

porous concrete in the manner and with the adhesive used in service and

subjected to water pressure. Curling also refers to that of chips used

in monolithic surfacings or seamless floors.

Specifications :

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS , SS-T-312A,

3.14, 4.4, Table III, Type I-Asphalt

Criterion : Curl in the tile shall not exceed 0.030 inch.

Test: Method 3411, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.4.4

Criterion and Test : The chips used in the coating system shall not

show excess curling or roll up into a tight ball. (See Requirement : Water resistance )

DEFECTS

Requirement : Defects (finish and appearance) control. See 2. Sampling

and Inspection .

23
DEFECTS

Comments : Control of defects or the setting of limits for defects is a quality control requirement which is usually judged by visual inspection.

A reevaluation should be made as to which defects are truly of major and

minor importance and these findings should be outlined in the appropriate

Federal Test Method Standards and Federal Specifications.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.11, 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, Table XI

Criterion : The occurrence of defects shall not exceed the acceptable

quality levels (AQLs) . The AQL shall be 2.5 major and 6.5 total

defects (major and minor) per 100 units (square yards)

.

Test : The defects listed in Table IX shall be counted regardless

of their proximity to one another, except where two or more defects

represent a single local condition of the carpet or rug, in which

case only the more serious defect shall be counted. Continuous

defects shall be counted as one defect for each yard or fraction

thereof in which they occur. The sample unit for this examination

shall be one square yard. Visual examination shall be made at a distance of approximately six feet.

DDD-C-95, Table IX.

Examine

Finish and

appearance

Materials and

workmanship

Classification of Defects

Defects

Classification

Major Minor

affecting

X

Spot or stain

Not evenly constructed.

appearance

Marks across carpet

Discolored areas affecting appearance

(Variations in color due to crushing

of pile shall not be considered a defect)

Any noticeable uneveness on top

surface affecting appearance

Any objectionable speck of color

other than specified visible on top

surface of pile

Any obviously objectionable streak

lengthwise of weave

Tufts missing in pile

Any hole or tear through to back

Seams (when specified) - not

properly sewed or taped

Binding

- edges not bound (when required)

- poor color match

Back-coating skips

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

24
DEFECTS

DDD-C-95, Table IX. Classification of Defects (continued)

Classification

Examine Defects Major Minor

Backing reinforcement (when specified)

imperfectly applied; wrinkles, poor

adherence X

Attached rubber cushioning (when

specified in contract) imperfectly

applied; poor adherence X

Criterion and Test : For overall examination, each defect listed

shall be counted not more than once in each unit examined. The

sample unit for this examination shall be one roll or rug. The lot

shall be unacceptable if one or more of the following defects are

found:

Overall uncleanness

Color of pattern other than specified

Rancid or otherwise objectionable odor

Type not as specified

Edges of rugs not finished as required

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

3.9, 4.3.2, Tables III, IV

Criterion and Test : The occurrence of defects (Table IV) shall not

exceed the acceptable quality levels (AQLs) . The rules for counting

defects are the same as in DDD-C-95. The acceptable quality levels

shall be 1.5 major and 6.5 total defects (major and minor combined)

per hundred units. The sample unit shall be 1 linear yard when

full length rolls are specified and one piece when special cut

sizes are specified.

Criterion and Test :

Overall examination . Each defect listed shall be counted not more

than once in each unit examined. The sample unit shall be one roll

or piece. The number of rolls or pieces taken for visual examination

shall be the sample size. The lot shall be unacceptable if one

or more of the following defects are found:

Overall uncleanness

Color other than specified

Objectionable odor

Uneven felting or poor interlocking of fibers

Edges not finished as required

Criterion and Test :

Length examination (full length rolls only) . Each roll shall be

25
DEFECTS

examined for gross length. Any gross length found to be less than

that marked on the roll ticket, or not in a continuous length, shall

be considered a defect with respect to length. The sample unit shall

be one roll. The rolls used for the visual examination shall be

used for this examination. The lot shall be unacceptable if one or more defects are found in the sample.

DDD-C-001173, Table III - Sample Size

Lot size (units) Sample size (No. of units)

800 or less 2

801 to 22,000 3

22,001 and over 5 DDD-C-001173, Table IV - Classification of Defects

Classification

Defects Major Minor

Cut, hole, or tear - any size X

Thin or weak place - any size X

High place or lump X

Spot or stain X

Not evenly constructed, affecting appearance X

Discolored areas affecting appearance X

Width (full length rolls only): more than 1/2 inch over the specified width X

less than the specified width by more than 1/8 inch X

Width and length (special sizes): more than 1/2 inch over the specified width

or length X

less than the specified width or length by more than 1/8 inch X

Back of carpet not smooth and flat X

Crack or split X

Embedded foreign matter X

Poor interlocking of fibers X

Color does not extend through the entire carpet X

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUETED,

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559 , 4.3.2.1, 4.3.2.2, 4.3.2.3,

4.4, Table IV:

Criterion and Tests : The acceptable quality levels (AQLs) shall be

2.5 major and 6.5 total defects (major and minor combined) per

hundred units (linear yards), as in Table IV. Visual examination

shall be at a distance of approximately six feet. The rules for

counting defects are the same as in DDD-C-95 . Overall examination

is the same as in DDD-C-001173 except for the defects, which are:

Overall uncleanness, as in DDD-C-001173

Color or pattern other than specified

Objectionable odor, as in DDD-C-001173

Type not as specified

Edges not finished as required, as in DDD-C-001173

26
DDD-C-001559, Table IV. Classification of defects

Defects

Spot or stain

Not evenly constructed, affecting appearance

Marks across carpet

Discolored areas affecting appearance

Any noticeable unevenness on top surface

affecting appearance

Length of pieces or width not as specified

Any obviously objectionable streak lengthwise

of weave

Tufts missing in pile

Cut, hole or tear

Seams (when specified) not properly sewed, or taped

Cushioning imperfectly applied; poor adherence

Embedded foreign matter

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.3, 4.2, 4.4

DEFECTS

Classification

Major Minor

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Criteria and Tests : The flooring shall have a smooth wearing surface free from blisters, cracks, protruding particles and embedded

foreign matter. The color, finish, wearing surface, and mottling

shall match a sample agreed upon by buyer and seller. Flooring of

plain color shall be uniform throughout. In mottled flooring, the

mottling shall be worked throughout the full thickness of the

flooring. The sample shall be compared with the samples agreed

upon in north daylight or equivalent

.

The dispersion of the mottling or marbleizing shall be determined

by examining two pieces of the flooring. Each portion examined

shall be cut parallel to the edges of the flooring into 4 pieces of

approximately the same size. On examination, the edges of the

pieces shall show evidence of mottling or marbleizing dispersed

throughout the thickness, and the mottling, or marbleizing shall

not be confined to the top surface. In this respect, the flooring

shall also match the samples submitted with the bid.

Examination of the flooring

Examine Defect

Appearance

Workmanship

As applicable, color, finish and pattern, not

as specified

Any holes, tears, cuts or patches

Presence of dirt, foreign material,

embedded particles

Blisters, protruberances, rough surface

Wrinkles, wavy edges

Edges not straight, smooth and parallel

27
DEFECTS

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.10, 4.2.1, 4.3, 4.3.1 Table I

Criteria and Tests : The wearing surface of the floor covering shall

be smooth and free from blisters, cracks, protruding particles,

and embedded matter. The occurrence of defects shall not exceed the

acceptable quality level (AQL) specified herein. The AQL shall be

2.5 defects per hundred units for major defects and 6.5 defects

per hundred units for total defects.

L-F-475A, Table I . Classification of defects

Examine

Material, construction,

workmanship

Classi.f icatioi

Defect Major Minor

Color and pattern not

as specified X

Depth of color and

pattern not as specified X

Exposed side of backing

not as specified X

Edges not straight X

Not smooth X

Blisters X

Cracks X

Protruding particles X

Embedded matter X

The floor covering shall also be examined for dimensional defects.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 4.3.2.1, Table II

Criteria and Tests : The acceptable quality level (AQL) shall be

4.0 for major defects and 6.5 for total defects (major and minor

combined) per hundred units.

L-F-001641, Table II. Classification of defects

Examine

Material

Workmanship

Defect

Classification

Major Minor

Not type specified X

Color and pattern not as specified X

Edges not straight

Surface not as specified

Surface blistered or cracked X

Embedded matter in surface

X

X

X

28
DEFECTS

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 3.9, 4.4, 4.6,' Tables II

and III

Criteria and Tests : The wearing surface of the floor covering shall

be free from blisters, cracks, protruding particles, and embedded

matter. Sampling shall be as in section 5, Federal Test Method

Standard No. 501a.

LLL~F-1238A, Table II. Classification of Defects

Defects Major

Type and style not as specified

Color not as specified

Wearing surface not coated

Blisters, cracks, protruding particles.

and embedded matter

X

X

X

Minor

X

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE), SS-F-001032;

4.3.2.1, 4.3.2.2, Table II

Criteria and Tests : One linear yard in each roll is examined for

defects and acceptable quality levels are 2.5 major and 6.5 total

defects (major and minor combined) per hundred yards examined, as

in Table II. The lot is unacceptable if one or more of the following defects are found:

Overall uncleanness

Color other than specified

Rancid or otherwise objectionable odor

Type not as specified

SS-F-001G32, Table II. Classification of Defects

Defects

Material not fabricated as specified

Stains or dirty

Blisters, cracks or embedded foreign material

Color not as specified

Any obviously objectionable streaks

Exposed side of backing not finished as specified

Discolored areas affecting appearance

Edges not straight

Width more than 1/4 inch over the specified width

Less than the specified width by more than 1/8 in.

Finish not as specified

Abrasions resulting in weak areas

Surface not securely bonded to asphalt treated base

Silicate not embedded in wear surface (Type II only)

Color does not extend through wear layer

29

Classification

Major Minor

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
DEFECTS

SS-F-001032, Table II. Classification of Defects (continued)

Classification

Defects Major Minor

Vinyl chips missing (when specified for Type I) X

Any material defect which will seriously affect

serviceability or appearance X

Any material defect which will slightly affect

serviceability or appearance X

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A

3.16

Criterion and Test : The tile shall be smooth where applicable and

free of blisters, cracks, embedded foreign material, pattern

irregularity, dull spots, broken edges. It shall have no objectionable odors and no delamination of layers.

DEFLECTION

Requirement : Deflection . See Flexibility or Pliability .

Comments : Deflection of tile indicates its ability to conform to surface

irregularities without cracking or breaking and is an important performance

requirement. Since roll and sheet flooring are shipped in a rolled up

state, the products are necessarily flexible enough to more than pass

the deflection test. Hence, this requirement and test might be superfluous for roll and sheet material.

Specifications :

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS , SS-T-312A,

3.9, 4.4, Table III. Type I (Asphalt) and Type IV (Vinyl-asbestos)

tile

Criterion : Type 1 (asphalt) tile shall deflect not less than 0.4

inch and Type IV (vinyl-asbestos) tile, when tested before heating,

shall deflect not less than 1.0 inch; both across and with the

grain, without breaking.

Test : Method 3131, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a..

Criterion : After being subjected to heat. Type IV (vinyl-asbestos)

tile shall deflect not less than 1.0 inch, both across and with the

grain without breaking.

Test ; Tile shall be subjected to heat as in Method 6211 and tested

as in Method 3131, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

30
DEPTH

Requirement : Depth of depressed areas

Comments : This is a performance requirement because it relates to cleanability and wear, especially with respect to smooth surface floor coverings.

Embossed resilient floor coverings are likely to be more difficult to

clean than smooth flooring and may trap dirt. Embossing might also

cause the floor covering to wear more rapidly, since traffic is concentrated

in a smaller area. It might also present problems in placing furniture.

Multi-level carpet might also cause cleaning problems as compared to

single level carpet and wear life might be affected by multiple levels.

Tests for depth of depressed areas of carpet appear in DDD-C-95 and

DDD-C-001559 under tests for thickness of multi-level carpet.

Specification :

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS , SS-T-312A,

3.2.2.2, 4.4.3.2

Criterion : The depressed areas of embossed tile must be no deeper

than 1/3 of the tile thickness. The same or a different color may

be added to the depressed areas.

Test : Depths of depressed areas shall be measured by means of a depth gage with a needle point. The gage shall be zeroed on a flat,

raised part of the tile surface, representative of the entire tile

and at least 0.125 inch from the edge of any depressed area and from

the edge of the tile itself. Five measurements shall be made on each test unit allowing for a minimum of one measurement per side;

the largest reading obtained shall be the maximum depressed depth

of the test unit.

Criterion : The depressed areas of embossed tile shall involve no more than 1/3 of the original flat tile surface area prior to

embossing, as measured on a full tile. There shall be no depressed

area into which a 5/8 inch diameter circle can be placed.

Test : Certificate of compliance from the supplier.

DIELECTRIC

Requirement : Dielectric strength

Comments ; This is a performance requirement for certain special

applications.

31
DIELECTRIC

Specification ;

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A

Criterion ; Dielectric strength , 3.9, 6.1

When specified, the flooring shall not fail at less than 30,000

volts

Test ; 4.5.2, Table I; Method 8211, Federal Test Method Standard

No. 501fi.

Criterion ; Voltage, 3.10; When specified, the flooring shall not

puncture, become appreciable warm at any spot, nor show any

sign of weakness.

Test: Voltage withstand , 4.5.6; Method 8111, Federal Test Method

Standard. No. 501a with specimens 9 inches square and test voltage

of 15,000, applied for 1 minute at each position of the electrodes.

DIMENSIONAL

Requirement ; Dimensional stability . See Shrinkage resistance .

Comments : This is a performance requirement but present test methods

are not correlated with service conditions. Requirements in various

specifications should be examined to see whether one requirement could

apply to all products. A standard test method should be developed and

included in Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

Specifications ;

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.8, 4.5.5

Criterion; The flooring shall not change in linear dimension more

than ±0.020 inch per linear foot.

Test ; Method 6211, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, modified

as follows;

The specimen shall be heated for a period of 6 hours at a temperature of 82° ± 1.0°C. (180° ± 1.8°F.). If a water bath is

used for conditioning, all measurements shall be made within 5 minutes after removal of the specimen from the water. If this

cannot be accomplished, the specimen shall be reconditioned for a

15 minute period before completing the measurement.

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.8, 4.6.6, Table II

Criterion : When the floor covering is tested as in 4.6.6, the

linear dimension shall not change more than ±0.3 percent.

32
DIMENSIONAL

Test :

4.6.6 Dimensional stability

4.6.6.1 Apparatus. The following apparatus shall be required:

(a) A circulating air oven equipped with a temperature control

that will maintain the required temperature during test and

equipped with horizontal rigid steel plates not less than 12

gage steel for supporting the specimen during exposure. The

plates shall be not less than 1 inch larger in each linear

dimension than the specimen.

(b) A flat glass or steel plate not less than 1 inch larger

in each linear dimension than the specimen.

(c) A micrometer-comparator, bench micrometer, or equal that

will measure the distance between reference marks to 0.001 inch.

The micrometer-comparator should consist of an Invar steel

bar on which are mounted two low-power microscopes equipped

with filar micrometers graduated to not less than 0.001 inch.

The microscopes should be clamped on the bar so that corresponding

graduations of the two micrometers are 8 inches apart.

(d) A 7 by 7 by 1/2 inch steel plate.

4.6.6.2 Procedure. Mark two sets of equally spaced reference

points in each linear dimension on a sample tile or a 9- by 9-inch

specimen from the sample roll in such a manner that a straight line

drawn through these points will be perpendicular to the two

parallel edges. Set the marks approximately 8 Inches apart. Place

the specimen on the flat supporting plate and then place the steel

plate on top of the specimen. Determine the distance between the

marks to the nearest 0.001 inch. Place the specimen - wearing

surface up - in the circulating air oven in a horizontal position

on the metal plates. Then heat for a period of 20 hours ±1/4 hour

at a temperature of 70° ± 2°C. (158° ± 3.6°F.). At the end of the

heating period, remove the specimen from the oven and stabilize

at room temperature and place on the flat steel plate. Determine

the distance between the reference points to the nearest 0.001 inch.

Average the readings. Change in linear dimension exceeding ±0.3

percent in either direction shall constitute failure of this test.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.4, 4.4.3, Table I.

Criterion : The average change in either direction when tested as

in 4.4.3 shall be no more than 0.3 percent.

Test :

4.4.3 Dimensional stability

Apparatus . The apparatus shall include an eight inch traimnel

(5/16-inch square mild steel bar with two tapered holes drilled

eight inches ±0.020 inch apart and hard phonograph needles set in

33
DIMENSIONAL

holes to protrude about 3/16 inch) , a microscope fitted with a reticle calibrated in mils, 60X magnification and a circulating

air oven equipped with temperature controls which is capable of

maintaining 180°F.

Procedure : After conditioning samples (8.5 inches square) at

73°F ± 2°F, 50% ± 4% relative humidity, place the eight inch

trammel on the face of the sample of the floor covering. Hold the

bar of the trammel parallel to machine direction. Puncture the

surface with the two pins simultaneously making sure that the

material is flat. Repeat with the bar parallel to across machine

direction. Mark the location and identify the punctures.

Place the samples face up in the oven supporting the samples on

flat plates. After 1 hour at 180°F. remove the samples and

condition for 1 hour at 73° ± 2°F., 50 ± 4 percent relative humidity.

Place one pin of the trammel in one of the original holes and make

a scratch with the other pin so that the scratch passes through

a point of nearest approach to the original hole. The sample should

be flat while this scratch is being made. Using the microscope,

measure the least distance from the center of the hole to the

center of the scratch.

Reported values : The average of two readings in each direction is

converted to percent expansion or contraction.

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A

3.11, 4.4.2, Table III

Criteria : Type III (vinyl) tile shall not change in linear

dimension more than 0.02 inch per linear foot and Type IV (vinylasbestos) tile shall not change more than 0.024 inch per linear

foot. There is no requirement for Type I (asphalt) or Type II

(rubber) tile.

Test: Reference marks are made on a specimen and the distance

between the marks measured carefully before and after oven heating,

as in Method 6211, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

DUSTING

Requirement : Dusting control

Comments ; This is a quality control requirement for the chips used in

monolithic surfacings or seamless floors.

34
DUSTING

Specification :

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.4.5

Criterion and Test : The chips shall not have more than 13 percent

maximum pass through weight loss on an 8 mesh screen. ELECTRICAL

Requirement : Electrical conductance

Comments : This is a performance requirement for certain special applications.

Specifications :

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 3.1.2, 3.8, 4.5, Table III

Criteria: Type II (Static linoleum) shall have built-in electrically

conductive properties. Grade H (hospital duty) shall have a resistance

of not less than 25,000 ohms nor more than 1,000,000 ohms. Grade I (industrial duty) shall have no resistance (0 ohms) or a maximiom

resistance of not more than 250,000 ohms.

Test: Method 8311, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

Test : The electrical conductance of Type II may be determined by

following the methods specified in section 25 of NFPA 56A in lieu

of Method 8311. NFPA No. 56A, Code for the Use of Flammable

Anesthetics 1968 is published by the National Fire Protection

Association, 60 Batterjnnarch Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

ELONGATION

Requirement : Elongation

Comments : This is a quality control test for vinyl cushioning for

carpet.

Specifications :

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.3.5.2.C, 4.4, 4.5.10, Table

V.

Criterion and Test : Ulitmate elongation of cushioning shall not be

less than 60 percent in both machine and transverse directions when

tested as in Method 4121, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

FINISH

Requirement : Finish

35
FINISH

Comments : This might be considered as a performance requirement but

there is a question as to whether the finish is part of the product as supplied by the manufacturer or a coating applied in the course of

maintenance. A factory-applied coating may be a protective measure

for handling and shipment and which may be removed and possibly renewed

after installation. See also Defects (finish and appearance) .

Specifications ;

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 3.3.4, 6.4

Criterion and Test : Unless otherwise specified, the surface of

the linoleum shall be factory finished with a clear, transparent

coating for Type I (regular) and Type III (molded) , less than

0.005 inch in thickness for protection and to facilitate adhesion

of floor wax.

FLAME

Requirement : Flame resistance

Comments : This is an important performance requirement and is found in

specifications for carpets and rugs.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.9, 4.4, 4.5.13, Table XI; INTERIM

AMENDMENT-2, 4.5.13

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173

,

3.5, 4.4, 4.5.4, Tables I, VI; AMENDMENT-1, 4.5.4

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED , WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559 , 3.9, 4.4, 4.5.13, 6.2, Table V;

AMENDMENT-1, 3.9, 4.5.13

Criterion and Test : Methenamine pill test with criterion as stated.

FLEXIBILITY

Requiremente: Flexibility or Pliability

Comments : Flexibility or pliability indicates the ability to roll and

unroll sheet or roll floor covering without causing cracking or breaking,

This is related to manufacture, shipping, and installation and is not a performance requirement, since it is not related to the properties of

the Installed floor covering. However, after installation, the material

must conform to surface irregularities as described under Deflection.

36
FLEXIBILITY

Specifications :

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

3.5, 4.4, 4.5.5, Tables I, VI

Criterion and Test ; A sample of the carpet shall be bent 160 degrees

over a rod equal in diameter to the thickness of the sample. Any

visible sign of cracking of the sample shall be cause for rejection.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.3.5.2.e, 4.4, 4.5.11,

Table V.

Criterion : When subjected to a flexibility test at both 70°F. and

30°F. , the cushion shall not crack, flake, craze, or show any other

indication of failure.

Test : Flexibility at 70°F . A specimen of cushioning, not less than

4 by 4 inches shall be doubled and pressed flat on itself in any

direction with the topside outside and held in this position for a period of five minutes. At the end of the five minute period the

specimen shall be examined for breaking, cracking, or any other

evidence of failure, while in the doubled and pressed flat state.

The examination shall be visual and at a normal reading distance

of one foot. One determination shall be performed for each sample

unit and the result shall be expressed as pass or fail.

Test : Flexibility at 30°F . Low temperature flexibility shall be

tested using alt 1/8 inch diameter mandrel by Method 6511,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.6, 4.5.2, Table I

Criterion : The flooring shall not crack, bend, or show any

indication of failure when bent over a mandrel one inch in

diameter at 23.0 ± 1.1°C. (73.5 ± 2.0°F.) and 50 ± 4 percent

relative humidity.

Test : Method 3111, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

Criterion : The flooring shall not crack, break, or show any

indication of failure when bent over a mandrel one inch in diameter

after heating to 82 ± 2°C. (179.6 ± 3.6°F.) for 6 ± 1/4 hour as

in Method 6211, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

Test ; Method 3111, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

FLOOR COVERING, VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.7, 4.6.5.

37
FLEXIBILITY

Criterion and Test : Two specimens, 2 in. wide and not less than

7 in. long, shall be cut longitudinally and transversely from the

sample. Bend the specimen with the backing next to the surface of

the 1-1/2 inch diameter mandrel through an arc of 180° in not

less than 5 seconds at a uniform speed. The wear layer shall not

crack or break while the specimen is in the bent position. Specimens

shall be conditioned and tests run at 23.0 ± 1.1°C. (73.5 ± 2.0°F)

and 50 ± 4 percent relative humidity.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.4, Table I

Criterion and Test : The floor covering shall not crack or break

when bent over a 1/4-inch diameter mandrel as in Method 3111,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. The wear layer shall be

against the mandrel. All tests in L-F-001641 shall be performed

and specimens conditioned at 23 ± 2°C. (73.4 ± 3.6°F.) and 50 ± 5

percent relative humidity.

FLOOR COVERING LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 3.7, 4.5, Table III

Criterion and Test : When tested as in Method 3111, Federal Test

Method Standard No. 501a, the floor covering shall show no sign

of cracking or bending. For Type I, class 1 (regular linoleum,

felt backed), a 4-inch diameter mandrel and for Type I, class 2

(regular linoleum, 'burlap backed) or Type II (static linoleum) , a 2-1/2 inch diameter mandrel is used. A 7-inch mandrel is used for

Type III (molded linoleum with or without embossing) . Conditioning

and testing shall be as in Method 1041, Federal Test Method Standard

No. 501a, at 23° ± 2°C. (73.4 ±3.6°F) and 50 ± 5 percent relative

humidity.

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE),

SS-F-001032, 3.6, 4.4, 4.5.4, Tables I and III

Criterion and Test : The floor covering shall be unaffected except

as noted when bent over a 4-inch diameter mandrel for regular

floor covering or 6-inch diameter mandrel for slip resistant floor

covering as in Method 3111, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

Small cracks or checks in the surface that will heal when the floor

covering is laid or compressed are permissible. No conditions of

temperature or humidity are specified for conditioning or test.

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A,

3.10, 4.4, Table III. Type III (Vinyl) tile .

Criterion and Test : The tile shall not crack, break, or show any

indication of weakness when bent over a 1-inch diameter mandrel as

in Method 3111, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a before heating and also after heating as in Method 6211, op^. cit . Conditioning

38
FLEXIBILITY

and testing shall be as in Method 1041, o£. cit . See under

LLL-F-1238A.

HARDNESS

Requirement : Hardness

Comments : This is a quality control requirement for rubber tile and

seamless flooring.

Specifications

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A,

3.6, 4.4, Table III. Type II (Rubber) tile .

Criterion and Test : The tile shall have a durometer hardness of

not less than 90 when tested as in Method 3511^ Federal Test Method

Standard No. 501a.

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.1.4. Top coat (glazed) - Unit 4

Criterion : Minimum Pencil Hardness F.

Test : Federal Specification TT-C-00542C, 4.3.12.

IMPACT

Requirement : Impact resistance

Comments : The specified test method for asphalt and vinyl asbestos tile

is a quality control test for handling characteristics prior to and

during installation. An impact test on installed tile would be a performance test if it could be related to impact to be expected in

service. The impact test for the seamless coating system may be considered

to be a performance test.

Specifications : .

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A,

3.8, 4.4, Table II, AMENDMENT-1, 4.4.5. Type I (Asphalt) and Type

IV (Vinyl-asbestos Tile) .

Criterion : The tile shall not crack or break when subjected to the

impact test.

Test : Method 3311, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. The zinc

oxide paste specified in Method 3311 shall not be used on embossed

tiles. Instead a 3 ± 1/8 inch circle shall be inscribed centrally

on each specimen with a felt pen, pencil, or other suitable marker.

Type I tile shall be tested with a 0.143-pound weight dropped twice

from a height of 4-1/4 inches. Type IV tile, 1/8 inch thick, shall

be tested with a 0.143-pound weight dropped four times from a height

of twenty inches. For tiles less than 1/8 inch thick, the height

shall be ten inches.

39
IMPACT

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685

3.6.4, 4.3.11, Table IV

Criterion : The coating system shall have a resistance to rapid

deformation greater than 6-inch pounds.

Test: Standard Method of Test for RESISTANCE OF ORGANIC COATINGS

TO THE EFFECTS OF RAPID DEFORMATION (IMPACT), ASTM D 2794, using

a 1/2-inch diameter male punch and a 9/16-inch diameter female die.

The test specimen shall be another section of the panel used in

the adhesion test (See Requirement : Adhesion to substrate ) , with

the coated side up.

INDENTATION

Requirement : Indentation resistance (of smooth surface resilient floor

coverings)

Comments : Initial indentation might be important as a performance

requirement if it could be related to resilience of the floor covering

as related to body comfort. Residual indentation is an important

performance requirement since it is related to denting from furniture,

spike heels, etc. In the case of carpets and rugs see Compressibility , related to matting from furniture and footwear.

Smooth surface resilient floor coverings are tested for initial indentation and residual indentation. Initial indentation is that resulting

from the application of a certain weight or load by means of a pressure

foot to the floor covering for a specified time, usually 30 seconds.

The initial indentation is measured by means of a dial indicator.

Residual indentation is the indentation after application of a certain

load by means of a pressure foot for a specified time, usually 30 seconds,

followed by a recovery period, usually 60 minutes. Residual indentation

is sometimes called recovery from indentation, as in Method 3241, Federal

Test Method Standard No. 501a, in which the load is applied for 600

seconds or 10 minutes.

Two instruments are used to measure indentation of resilient floor

coverings. One is used in Methods 3221, 3231, and 3241, Federal

Test Method Standard No. 501a, and is commonly known as the Armstrong

Indentation Machine 1/. The other, used in Methods 3211 and 6311, og^. cit , is called the McBurney Tester 2/. The Armstrong Machine is used in all

Federal Specifications for resilient floor coverings except for Type I (asphalt tile) and Type IV (vinyl asbestos tile) in SS-T-312A, in

which cases the McBurney Tester is used.

V F. M. Gavan and J. T. Wein, Jr., "Indentation and Compression Testing

of Floor Coverings", Chapter 12, Vol. I, Testing of Polymers , ed . by

John W. Schmitz, Interscience Div. of Wiley, N.Y. , 1965, pp. 379-386,

Figs. 4, 5, 8.

II 0£. cit. , pp. 387-8, Fig. 11

40
INDENTATION

Specifications ; FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.5, 4.5.3

Criteria : The average initial Indentation shall be not less than

25 percent and the minimum initial indentation of any single

specimen shall be not less than 23 percent. The residual

indentation shall not exceed 8 percent and the maximum residual

indentation of any single specimen shall not exceed 10 percent.

Specimens shall be conditioned and tests run at 23.0° ± 1.1°C.

(73.5° ± 2.0°F). and at 50 ± 4 percent relative humidity or in a water bath.

Test : The specimen shall be a piece of flooring not less than 2

inches square. The apparatus shall consist of an indentor acting

under a weight of 140 lbs., a dial indicator for measuring depth of

indentation, a smooth steel plate for supporting the specimen, and

a rigid metal frame for supporting the weight and indicator.

(a) The indentor consists of a steel bar rigidly supported

vertically in such a manner that the face of the lower end

(foot) contacts the specimen perpendicularly to its face when

the specimen is placed horizontally on the steel plate. The

foot of the indentor shall be 0.178 inch in diameter, with

flat end. The upper end of the indentor is provided with a weight releasing device for applying the load without impact

to the indentor and for activating a dial indicator to read

depth of penetration of the indentor. The weight of the

indentor shall not exceed 1 lb.

(b) The dial indicator attached to the upper end of the

indentor has a scale graduated to read depth of penetration to

0.001 inch.

(c) The steel plate for supporting the specimen shall be rigidly

fixed in a horizontal position in the framework of the apparatus

and shall have a smooth flat surface.

A thickness gage shall be provided for measuring the thickness

of the specimen before and after indentation. The gage is

equipped with a dial micrometer graduated in at least 0.001

inch and a flat ended pressure foot 0.125 ± 0.01 inch in

diameter. The foot shall exert a pressure of 15 ± 5 pounds

per square inch on the specimen. A stop watch or other equivalent

means for determining the time of application of the load and

time of recovery of the specimen shall also be provided.

Procedure . When a water bath is used for conditioning and testing

the specimen for initial indentation, the indenting tool and base

plate of the indentation tester shall also be immersed in water,

conditioned for at least the same period of time as the specimen and

The indentation shall be determined with the specimen, indenting tool,

and base plate of the indentation tester fully immersed in water at

a temperature of 73.5° ± 2°F. In this case the specimen is not

conditioned before measuring the thickness. The thickness of the

specimen shall be measured as near as practicable in the center of

the specimen and the value recorded to the nearest 0.001 inch as T^

.

41
INDENTATION

Initial Indentation . The conditioned specimen shall be placed flat on the supporting plate of the apparatus with the wearing surface

upward. The indentor foot shall be lowered gently, without impact,

until it contacts the surface of the specimen where the thickness

measurement was made. The scale on the dial indicator shall be set

at zero reading, and within one to two seconds the tocal load of

140 pounds applied to the specimen by means of the weight release.

In no case, however, shall the load be dropped on the specimen.

The total load shall be maintained for a period of 10 minutes. At

the end of the required time for application of the load, the

initial indentation shall be read from the scale of the dial indicator and the value recorded to the nearest 0.001 inch as T„.

Care should be taken that the specimen lies flat on the base plate

during the test.

Residual indentation . After recording the indentation of the

specimen, the load shall be immediately and completely removed.

If the initial indentation is determined in a water bath, the

specimen shall be removed from the bath immediately after removal

of the indenting load. Sixty plus or minus one minute after removal

of the load, the thickness shall again be measured at the indented

spot as described in 4.5.3.5 and the value recorded to the nearest

0.001 inch as T .

Results . The initial and residual indentation of the specimen

shall be calculated as follows:

Initial indentation, percent = _2

where: T^ is the thickness of the uncompressed specimen, inch,

T_ is the indentation of the specimen at the end of

10 minutes, inch.

Residual indentation, percent = 1 3_

^1

where: T is the thickness of the specimen after resting for

the required time.

Four specimens equally spaced across the sample of flooring shall

be tested.

The minimum initial indentation shall be the lowest value obtained

for the four specimens tested. The average initial indentation

shall be the average of all the values obtained on the sample.

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.6, 4.6.4, Table II

42
INDENTATION

Criterion : The residual indentation of the floor covering shall

not be more than 0.007 inch at 23.0 ± 1.1°C. (73.4 ± 2.''F.),

50 ± 4 percent relative humidity.

Apparatus . A micrometer gage with 0.001 inch graduations and

a flat pressure foot of 0.125 ± 0.002 inch in diameter shall be used

to measure thickness. The foot shall exert a pressure of 20 ± 5

psi in the measuring range. An indentor consisting of a flat-ended

cylindrical steel bar 0.250 ± 0.002 inch in diameter for applying a load of 75 ± 0.5 pound to the specimen and a steel plate for supporting the specimen shall be used. The bar shall be supported in a frame to insure the face of its foot being parallel to the surface

of the steel plate. The edges of the face of the bar in contact

with the specimen shall be buffed smooth but not rounded.

Procedure . By means of the micrometer gage, measure the thickness

of a 2-inch square specimen. The measurement shall be made as near

as practicable in the center of the specimen and the value recorded

to the nearest 0.001 inch. Support the specimen on the steel plate

and apply a load of 75 ± 0.5 pounds to the wearing surface of the

specimen by means of the cylindrical steel bar at the same point

at which the initial thickness was measured. The face of the foot

of the bar shall be parallel to the surface of the steel plate.

Apply the load until the bar is in full contact with the specimen

but not compressed, then apply the full load in a maximum of 2

seconds. The load "shall not be dropped on the specimen. Remove

the load after 15 minutes. Sixty minutes after removal of the

load, determine the thickness of the specimen at the same point at

which the initial thickness was recorded. A difference of more

than 0.007 inch between the initial thickness and thickness after

recovery shall constitute failure of this test.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINTL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.4, 4.4.2, Table I

Criterion ; Residual indentation of floor coverings shall be an average of 0.012 inch.

Test : Floor coverings without foam layer shall be tested under

75 lbs. load by Method 3231, Federal Test Method Standard No.

501a, conditioned as in Method 1041 at 23° ± 2°C. (73.4° ± 3.6°F),

50 ± 5 percent relative humidity.

Test : Floor coverings with foam layer shall be tested by a modification of Method 3231 described in section 4.4.2 or L-F-001641.

In this modification a hemispherical pressure foot, 0.75 inch in

diameter is loaded to give 50 lbs. pressure i' . Samples, not less

1^1 This must mean 50 lbs. load, as a hemispherical foot gives a theoretical

point load and the area of contact cannot be determined.

43
INDENTATION

than 4 inches square, are conditioned for 24 hrs. at 72 °F. and 50

percent relative humidity and tests are run under the same conditions.

Measurements are made before and after Indentation with a dead

weight caliper gage with no loading on the plunger, all in an area within 0.003 inch of average thickness, circled with a marker.

The initial measurement is made with a 1/4-inch diameter flat foot

and the measurements after Indentation are made with a 1/4-inch

diameter hemispherical foot. The sample is indented by lowering

the foot slowly until it just touches the surface, then lowering

quickly until is is free from the ball bearing ring. After 5 minutes loading, the remaining thickness is noted and the load is

immediately removed. The initial indentation is the difference in

total thickness before and after indenting. The residual indentation is the difference in total thickness before indenting and

after one hour recovery from indentation.

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 3.6, 4.5, Table III

Criterion and Test : Type I, class 1 (regular linoleum, organic

felt backed) and Type III, class 1 (molded linoleum, organic felt

backed) shall have an average residual indentation of not more than

10 percent. The indenting load shall be 50 lbs., applied with a flat foot indentor for 15 minutes. After 60 minutes the residual

indentation shall be measured, as in Method 3231, Federal Test

Method Standard No. 501a, except that the diameter of the lower

end of the indentor shall be 0.250 inch.

Criterion and Test : Type I, class 2 (regular linoleum, burlap

backed) and Type II (static linoleum) shall show an average residual

indentation of not more than 10 percent. No single specimen shall

have a residual indentation of more than 12 percent. The indenting

load for Type I shall be 140 lbs, for plain patterns and 80 lbs.

for marbleized patterns. For Type II the indenting load shall be

80 lbs. The floor coverings shall be tested as in Method 3231,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. Specimens shall be conditioned

for test as in Method 1041, o£. clt. at 23° ± 2°C. (73.4° ± 3.6° F.),

50 ± 5 percent relative humidity.

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE), SS-F-001032,

3.5, 4.4, 4.5.3, Tables I, III

Criterion and Test : The residual indentation shall be a maximum of

0.013 inch. Not less than 3 specimens, each about 2 inches in

diameter, shall be cut from the floor covering. Thickness is

measured to the nearest thousandth of an inch, before and after

applying the load, using a micrometer gage with flat pressure foot,

0.125 ± 0.002 inch in diameter, exerting a pressure of 20 ± 5 psi.

A load of 50 ± 0.5 lbs. is applied vertically by means of a flatended cylindrical steel bar, 0.250 ± 0.002 inch in diameter for 15

minutes with the specimen supported on a smooth, flat steel plate.

The results from not less than 3 specimens shall be averaged. No

conditions of temperature and humidity are specified, so it must

be assumed that conditioning and test are under ambient conditions.

44
INDENTATION

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A

Criterion and Test : Type I - Asphalt Tile : SS-T-312A, 3.5.1, 4.4, Tables I, III. When tested at 77°F. in

accordance with Method 3211 or 3221, Federal Test Method Standard

No. 501a, the initial indentation at the end of one minute shall

be not less than 0.006 inch and not more than 0.015 inch. The

indentation at the end of 10 minutes loading shall be as in Table

I, corresponding to the indentation at the end of 1 minute.

SS-T-312A, Table I. Ten minute indentation (Type I)

after

1 minute

loading

Inch

0.006

.007

.008

.009

.010

Max. after

10 minutes

loading

Inch

0.0100

.0114

.0127

.0140

.0153

after Max. after

1 minute 10 minutes

loading loading

Inch Inch

0.011 0.0166

.012 .0178

.013 .0190

.014 .0202

.015 .0214

Criterion and Test : Type I - Asphalt Tile :

When tested at 115 °F. in accordance with Method 6311, 3211 or 6311,

3221, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, the initial indentation

shall be less than 0.036 inch at the end of 30 seconds.

Criteria and Test : Type III - Vinyl Tile : SS-T-312A, 3.5.2, 4.4, Table III. When tested in accordance with

Method 3221, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, the average

residual indentation at the end of 60 minutes recovery shall not

exceed 8 percent and the maximum residual indentation of any

single specimen shall not exceed 10 percent.

Criteria and Test : Type IV - Vinyl Asbestos Tile : SS-T-312A, 3.5.3, 4.4, Tables II, III. When tested at 77°F. in

accordance with Method 3211, Federal Test Method Standard No, 501a,

the indentation at the end of 1 minute shall be not less than 0.006

inch and not more than 0.015 inch. The indentation at the end of

10 minutes shall be as in Table II, corresponding to the indentation

at the end of 1 minute.

SS-T-312, Table II. Ten minute indentation (Type IV)

after Max. after after Max. after

1 minute 10 minutes 1 minute 10 minutes

loading loading loading loading

Inch Inch Inch Inch

0.006 0.0100 0.011 0.0162

.007 .0112 .012 .0174

45
INDENTATION

SS-T-312A, Table II. Ten minute indentation (Type IV) (Cont.)

after

1 minute

loading

Inch

.008

.009

.010

Max. after after

10 minutes 1 minute

loading loading

Inch Inch

.0124 .013

.0137 .014

.0149 .015

Max. after

10 minutes

loading

Inch

.0186

.0197

.0209

Criterion and Test : Type IV - Vinyl Asbestos Tile : When tested

at 115°F in accordance with Method 6311, 3211 or 6311, 3221

Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, the indentation shall be

less than 0.032 inch at the end of 30 seconds.

Requirement : Keying . See Adherence of backing , FLOOR COVERING

LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A.

KEYING

MOTH

Requirement : Moth repellency . See Resistance to insects . Resistance to

larvae

Comments : This is an important performance requirement for carpets and

rugs which are susceptible to attack by moths.

RESISTANCE - CHEMICAL

Requirement : Resistance to chemicals, grease, oil, and solvents

Comment s: This is a performance requirement if the chemicals, etc. are

those which are likely to be spilled on the floor covering in service

and if the conditions can be standardized and correlated with service

or use conditions. Substances mentioned in the requirement include

household chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium bisulfate; cooking,

animal, and vegetable fats, oils, and grease; vaseline; common solvents

such as ethyl and isopropyl alcohol; and water. There is no such

requirement in any of the Federal Specifications for carpets and rugs.

If textile floor coverings are proposed for "wet areas" where water,

chemicals, grease, etc. are likely to be spilled, this requirement

should be included.

Specifications : FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.7, 4.5.4

Criterion and Test : When tested by Method 7711— , Federal Test

1_/ This reference to Method 7711 should be changed to read Method 9311, as this method gives details of immersion of specimens, preparation

of scratch tool, and references Method 7711.

46
RESISTANCE - CHEMICAL

Method Standard No. 501a, the width of the scratch shall not exceed

0.100 inch after iiranersion of separate specimens in 95 .percent

ethyl alcohol, tallow, mineral oil, and vegetable oil and shall

not exceed 0.125 inch after immersion of separate specimens in a

5 percent solution of sodium hydroxide, a 5 percent solution of

acetic acid, or a 5 percent solution of sulfuric acid. The flooring

shall also not change in hue.

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.9, 4.6.7, Table II

Criteria : After exposure of separate specimens to isopropyl alcohol,

beef tallow, mineral oil, and cottonseed oil and testing as specified,

the width of the scratch on each specimen shall not be more than

0.100 inch. After exposure of separate specimens to a 5 percent

solution of sodium hydroxide; a 5 percent solution of acetic acid;

and a 5 percent solution of sulfuric acid; and testing as specified;

the width of the scratch on each specimen shall not be more than

0.120 inch. The scratch width requirement shall not apply to embossed

areas nor to textured surfaces. Whrn exposed to any one of the above

materials the floor covering shall ^")t change color.

Test : The apparatus and procedure are essentially the same as in

Method 7711, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. Twenty-seven

specimens from each sample are required for this test and each

specimen shall be 2 inches wide by 3 inches long. Three specimens

shall be set aside for predulling or checking the sharpness of the

scratch tool. Of the remaining twenty-four specimens, three are controls and are not exposed to any of the solvents. Three specimens

are exposed to each of seven solvents as follows:

Isopropyl alcohol. Federal Specification TT-I-735,

grade A

Beef tallow

Cottonseed oil having the following characteristics:

Specific gravity at 77°F., 0.915 to 0.917

Iodine number, 105 to 114

Acid number, 1.0 maximum

Mineral oil. Federal Specification TT-S-735, Type IV

5 percent' solution of acetic acid

5 percent solution of sodium hydroxide

5 percent solution of sulfuric acid

The top wearing surface of three specimens shall be exposed to

approximately 10 ml. of each solvent for a period of 46 ± 1/4 hours.

A watch glass or other suitable device shall be placed over the

solvent on the exposed specimens to minimize evaporation. . The

exposed specimens shall be maintained at 23.0 ± 1.0°C. (73.4 ± 2.0°F.)

except beef tallow specimens, which shall be heated to 50-55°C.

(122-131°F.) and maintained at this temperature for the remainder

of the exposure period. At the end of the exposure period the

specimen shall be blotted (not rubbed) with a soft and absorbent

47
RESISTANCE - CHEMICAL

tissue and subjected to the scratch test not less than 30 minutes

nor more than 60 minutes after exposure to the solvents. The

scratch tool shall produce a scratch of between 0.050 and 0.065

inch on the controls or unexposed specimens. No measurement shall

be made on the first part of the scratch where it is evident that

the tool has dug deeper due to the starting of the test. The

width of the 3-inch long scratch shall be measured at three

equally spaced places and the value recorded to the nearest 0.005

inch. The order of measurement of specimens shall be a control

or unexposed specimen, followed by one of the specimens exposed ^:o each solvent in the order of solvents listed. This order of

measurement shall be repeated twice or until all the specimens

have been tested. The nine values obtained from the three

unexposed specimens and the nine values from each set of three

specimens exposed to the respective solvents shall be averaged

separately and the results recorded to the nearest 0.005 inch as the scratch width of the unexposed sample and the sample after

exposure respectively. An unexposed specimen and an exposed

specimen from each set shall be placed on a plane surface beside

each other and examined in a north light. A change in color of

any exposed specimen as compared to that of an unexposed specimen

shall constitute failure of this test.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, Resistance to oils and chemicals , 3.4, 4.4.1,

Table I

Criterion : There shall be no more than slight discoloration,

softening, or other degradation of the surface when subjected to

the test.

Test : Cut 14 specimens (6 inches square) from each sample to be

tested. Two specimens are to be used for each solvent. Deposit

15 ml of the particular solvent onto the top wearing surface of each

of the 2 specimens. Immediately cover the specimen with a 3-inch

diameter watch glass and seal the perimeter of the watch glass with

paraffin wax. The specimens are to remain exposed to the solvent

for 46 ± 1/4 hours at 23.0 ± 1.1°C. (73.4 ± 2.0°F.). At the end

of the exposure period the specimen shall be blotted (not rubbed)

with a soft absorbent tissue. The exposed area shall then be

probed with a spatula to ascertain whether or not degradation of

the wear layer has occurred. The exposed area is also to be

observed for color change. The solvents shall be the same as in

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING, L-F-475A.

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE), SS-F-001032,

3.6, 4.4, 4.5.5, Tables I, III. Resistance to acids and water .

Criterion : Floor covering shall be unaffected by exposure to 5%

acetic acid, 10% hydrochloric acid, 10% sulfuric acid, and water.

48
RESISTANCE - CHEMICAL

Test : Immerse a specimen into the applicable solution for 3 minutes,

remove it and observe for any wear layer softening after a 6 hour

and 24 hour period. Also, place about 10 ml of the applicable

solution on the wear layer of a specimen, cover with a watch

glass (to inhibit evaporation) and observe for softening after a

6 hour and a 24 hour period.

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A,

3.12, 4.4, Table III

Criterion and Test : Type I - Asphalt Tile :

When tested according to Method 7711-^', —' Federal Test Method

Standard No. 501a, the width of the scratch shall not exceed 0.10

inch after immersion in a 5 percent solution of sodium hydroxide.

See Scratch resistance .

Criterion and Test : Type III - Vinyl Tile : (See under Type I - Asphalt Tile ) . When tested according to Method 77111./, 2^/ as in

Type I, the width of the scratch shall not exceed 0.10 inch after

immersion of separate specimens in 95 percent ethyl alcohol, tallow,

mineral oil, and cottonseed oil and shall not exceed 0.125 inch

after immersion of a specimen in a 5 percent solution of sodium

hydroxide. The specimens of tile exposed to the above reagents shall

show no appreciable change in hue when compared visually with

unexposed specimens.

Criterion and Test : Type IV - Vinyl Asbestos Tile : (See under

Type I - Asphalt Tile )

.

When tested by Method 7711^', U as in Type I, the width of the

scratch shall not exceed 0.10 inch after immersion of separate

specimens in 95 percent ethyl alcohol, a 5 percent solution of

sodium hydroxide, tallow, mineral oil, vegetable oil, and kerosene.

RESISTANCE - INSECTS

Requirement : Resistance to insects . See Moth repellency . Resistance

to larvae

\J The reference to Method 711 should be changed to read Method 9311,

as this method gives details of immersion of specimens, preparation

of scratch tool, and references Method 7711.

2J Where there is sufficient raised flat area on an embossed tile for at

least a 2-inch scratch. Method 7711 of Federal Test Method Standard

No. 501a shall be used on the embossed tile. Otherwise, resistance to

reagents for embossed tile shall be determined on unembossed stocks with

the same formulation as the embossed tile and covered by the

manufacturer's certificate of compliance.

49
RESISTANCE - INSECTS

Comments : This is a performance requirement for any floor covering which

is or might be subject to insect attack. Competent authorities should be

consulted on writing more comprehensive requirements for resistance of

floor coverings to attack by various organisms.

RESISTANCE - LARVAE

Requirement : Resistance to larvae

Comments : This is a performance requirement for resistance of pile

carpets and rugs to black carpet beetle larvae.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.6, 4.4, Table XI

Criterion : The insect resistant classification shall not be less

than "resistant".

Test : ASTM D1116-69, Standard Method of Test for Resistance of

Pile Floor Coverings to Attack by Black Carpet Beetle Larvae.

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

3.5, 4.4, Tables I, VI

Criterion : Finished carpeting shall be unaffected.

Test: ASTM D1116-69

RESISTANCE - MICROORGANISMS

Requirement : Resistance to microorganisms . See Resistance to mildew

RESISTANCE - MILDEW

Requirement : Resistance to mildew

Comments : A more comprehensive requirement should be written to cover attack by other microorganisms, as rot, bacteria, etc. This would be a general performance requirement for floor coverings.

Specification :

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

3.5, 4.4, Tables I, VI

Criterion and Test : Shall be unaffected after exposure for at

least two weeks as in Method 5752, Federal Specification CCC-T-191b.

This method is now obsolete, as it was dropped from Federal Test

Method Standard No. 191, which superseded Federal Specification

CCC-T-191b.

50
RESISTANCE - SCRATCH

Requirement ; Scratch resistance

Comments : This is a performance requirement but laboratory tests have

not been correlated with traffic conditions.

Specifications and Criteria : See Resistance to chemicals, etc.

Test : Method 7/11, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. The

specimen is mounted on the table of the scratch tester by means of

a holder; the scratch tool, loaded with a dead weight, is lowered

gently; and the table is then rotated to produce the scratch.

SEAM

Requirement : Seam strength

Comments : This is a quality control test for carpets and rugs.

Specification ;

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.7.3, 4.4, Table XI

Criterion and Test : Seams on carpets 'and rugs without attached

rubber cushioning shall have a breaking strength of not less than

100 lbs. when tested as in Method 5100, Federal Test Method

Standard No. 191.

SHRINKAGE

Requirement : Shrinkage resistance . See Dimensional stability .

Comments : This is a performance requirement for carpets and rugs,

assuming that these products are to be washed in warm (110°F.) detergent

solution. This requirement is related to shampooing, not to changes

in ambient temperature and humidity as is the case with Dimensional

Stability .

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.5, 4.4, 4.5.12, Table XI

Criterion : Shrinkage shall not exceed 3 percent in length or widthl/.

1/ Criteria for shrinkage vary between specifications from 1 to 3 percent

A criterion of 3 percent seems to allow for too much shrinkage and 1 percent shrinkage appears to be a more reasonable criterion.

51
SHRINKAGE

Test : A 12- by 12- inch rample of carpet shall be conditioned for

24 hours under standard conditions as defined in Section 4, Federal

Test Method Standard No. 191. The specimen shall then be marked

and measured at three different locations in the length and width

directions. The specimen shall then be immersed in water at 110°F

for 15 minutes. A solution shall be made of 2 g. sodium alkyl

sulfate type of detergent and 50 g. water and this solution shall

be applied to the pile surface of the carpet at 110°F. The specimen

shall be scrubbed with a soft bristle brush by stroking back and

forth 20 times^' (10 times in each unilateral direction) in both

length and width directions. The sample shall then be rinsed well

to remove most of the detergent; squeezed^'- dried in an oven at

125°F. until bone dry— , and conditioned as before for 24 hours.

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR- INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173

,

3.5, 4.4, 4.5.3, Tables I, VI

Criterion and Test : Percent shrinkage shall be a maximum of 1.0

percent of the length and 1.0 percent of the widtbi' . The test

method is the same as in Federal Specification DDD-C-95.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFIED,

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559 , 3.6, 4.4, 4.5.12, Table V

9

Criterion : Shrinkage shall not exceed 2.0 percent in either the

length or the widtbi' . See under Colorfastness .

Test : Same as in DDD-C-95.

SIZE

Requirement : Size a..id tolerance control . See Thickness

Comments : This is a quality control requirement. Work should be done

on standardization of necessary tolerances.

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 3.8, 4.2.2.3, 6.2

_1/ Criteria for shrinkage vary between specifications from 1 to 3 percent

A criterion of 3 percent seems to allow for too much shrinkage and 1 percent appears to be a more reasonable criterion.

ll This is the wording used in DDD-C-95, par. 4.5.12. However, this

apparently means back and forth for a total of 10 cycles.

_3/ The terms which are used in the specification need to be defined.

52
SIZE

Criteria : Cut rugs are unacceptable If the width or length Is more

than 1 percent less than specified. Rolls cannot be more than 1

percent less in width than specified. The length of rolls must not

be less than specified nor more than 10 percent longerA'

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

3.6, 4.3.2.3

Criteria: The carpeting shall be furnished in roll form on paperboard tubes as full length continuous pieces or as individual pieces

cut to special sizes. Unless otherwise specified, the full length

continuous pieces shall be not less than 90 ft. and the widths shall

be 3, 6, 9, and 12 ft. as specified in the contract or order. The

tolerances for full rolls shall be 3:1/2 inch - 1/8 inch for width.

The tolerances for special sizes shall be the same as for full rolls

but for both width and length.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.8, 6.2

Criteria : The length, width, and pattern of the carpets shall be as specified. The dimensional tolerances shall be as follows:

Cut to size - width or length - not more than 1 percent less

than specified

Rolls - width - not more than 1 percent less than specified

Rolls - length - .not less than specified nor more than 10

percent longer than specified , Individual roll - not more than 1 yard less— than indicated

on piece ticket

Total yardage in sample - gross total length of all pieces

in sample not less than the total gross length marked on piece ticket

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.4.1, 4.4.5, 4.5.2, 6.1, Table I

Criteria : The flooring shall be 27, 36, 45, or 54 inches wide as specified with a plus tolerance of 1.00 inch^./ at any point and no minus tolerance^' . Each roll of not less than 50 percent of the total

number of rolls furnished shall be in one continuous piece; each

roll of not more than 50 percent of the total number of rolls

furnished shall be in not more than two pieces; the shortest piece

shall be not less than 5 yards long.

1/ Tolerances for carpet dimensions vary considerably between different

specifications. One percent of a 3-ft. width is 0.36 inch, while 1

percent of a 12-ft. width is 1.44 inches. This latter figure seems

to be too great a tolerance. One yard less and 10 percent more than

specified on length also appear to be too much.

2j This seems too much, especially for purposes of installation.

_3/ We suggest a tolerance of 0.016 in. per ft. as in SS-T-312A.

53
SIZE

The sample unit for examination for average length shall be one

roll. A minimum of five rolls shall be examined for length of

flooring per roll. Unless otherwise specified, average length

of rolls examined shall be not less than thirty yards.

The width of the flooring shall be measured by Method 2211, Federal

Test Method Standard No. 501a. The tape or scale shall be graduated

to 1/8 inch and the distance between the two edges of the specimen

shall be read from the tape or scale and the value recorded to the

nearest 1/8 inch.

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.5.1, 6.5

Criteria : Type I floor covering (Tile) shall be of the length and

width specified. Tolerance shall be ± 1/64 inch. The width of Type

II floor covering (Roll) shall be standard width +1 inchii' - inch±.' . Vinyl roll material with backing is commercially available in rolls

6 ft. wide.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.3

Criteria : Unless otherwise specified, the floor covering shall be

furnished in 6, 9, or 12-ft widths (minus inch)— .

FLOOR COVERING LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 3.5, 4.5.2, Table III

Criteria : The length and width of the floor covering shall be as specified. Unless otherwise specified, the width of the floor covering shall be 72 inches with a tolerance of plus 1 inchii' minus zero incb^/, by Method 2311, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

Length is measured by Method 2311.

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE), SS-F-001032,

3.7

Criteria : Unless otherwise specified (6.2), the floor covering shall

be furnished in roll form, 36 (+ 1/4 - 1/8) inches wide and not less

than 90 ft. long.

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS , SS-T-312A,

3.3, 4.4, Table III

\J This seems too much especially for purposes of installation.

2/ We suggest a tolerance of 0.016 in. per ft. as in SS-T-312A.

54
SIZE

Criteria ; Unless otherwise specified, the tile shall be 9 by 9

Inches^' , with a tolerance of ±0.016 In. per ft. The size of the

tile is measured with a dial gage and a horizontal index strip as

in Method 2231, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

SQUARENESS

Requirement : Squareness

Comments : Like Size and tolerance control , this is a quality control

requirement.

Specifications :

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.5.3, 4.6.3

Criteria: The edges of the tile shall be straight and the out-ofsquareness shall be not more than 0.01 inch. The criterion of

out-of-squareness refers to the amount each corner of the tile

deviates from 90 degrees or from squareness.

Test: The apparatus and procedure are as in Method 2421, Federal

Test Method Standard No. 501a but only one tile is tested. The

apparatus consists essentially of a dial gage and two index or reference strips mounted on a flat plate at an angle of exactly

90 degrees. A reference gage is provided to set the strips at a 90° angle. The dial gage is located between two strips such that

its foot contacts the edge of a tile in contact with the reference

strips. The tile is placed on the plate with one edge against

the horizontal index str-p and approximately one inch from the

vertical index strip. The stem of the dial indicator is retracted

and the tile moved alongthe horizontal strip until the left hand

edge of the tile contacts the vertical index strip. The tile is

then pressed firmly against the vertical index strip without

distorting the materil and the dial indicator stem released without

impact until its foot contacts the edge of the tile. The

reading on the dial indicator scale to the nearest 0.001 inch is

taken as the out-of-squareness. The maximum value from all four

corners sha-1 be the value reported for the out-of-squareness

criterion.

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A,

3.15, 4.4, Table III

_!/ Also included should be the popular 12 by 12 inch size tile.

55
SQUARENESS

Criterion ; The out-of-squareness of the tile shall not exceed

0.01 inch.

Test : Method 2411, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a except

in case of dispute, when Method 2421 shall be used.

SURFACE

Requirement : Surface texturing

Conunents, Specifications : See Appearance .

TENSILE

Requirement : Tensile strength

Comments : This is a quality control requirement for rubber tile. See

Breaking Strength .

Specification :

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A,

3.7, 4.4, Table III. Type II - Rubber tile .

Criterion : The tensile strength of rubber tile at 10 percent

elongation shall be not less than 400 lbs. per sq. in. (psi)

.

Test : Method 4211, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. Tensile

strength is calculated from the force in pounds necessary to stretch

the specimen to the specified elongation.

THICKNESS

Requirement : Thickness or Pile height . See also Finish .

Comments : Thickness is not a performance requirement but is related

to service life for a given product. See Wear .

Specifications :

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 4.4, 4.5.3, 4.5.6, Tables II, III, IV,

V, VI, XI. See INTERIM AMENDMENT-2, Tables, July 9, 1970.

Criteria : The pile height depends on the construction and type of

carpet. The thickness of the rubber cushioning shall average not

less than 3/16 inch.

56
THICKNESS

Test : Single level pile fabrics, Woven carpet : ASTM D418-42—

Test : Single level pile fabrics, Tufted and knitted carpet : ASTM D1486-57Ti/

Test: Multilevel or profile wire carpet : A metal rule graduated

in 1/100 InchA' , approximately 3/4 inch wide and 0.040 inch thick,

shall be inserted between and parallel to the lengthwise pile rows;

and the pile height in the high pile areas measured five times

and the pile height in the low pile areas measured five timesA' . The areas measured shall be selected so that lines drawn parallel

to and perpendicular to the edge of the sample through the points

of measurement shall be at least 2 inches apart. The average of

the five measurements in the high pile areas shall be the high pile

and the average of the five measurements in the low pile areas shall

be the low pile height. The difference between the high pile height

and the low pile height shall be the differential pile height—' .

4/ Test : Rubber cushioning - Class 1— - Thickness:

The specimen shall be one square yard of the finished item, with

cushioning. The thickness between the two plane surfaces^.' of the

specimen shall be determined under a pressure of 0.100 lbs. per

sq. in. (psi) ±0.001 psi, distributed over a circular area 3.00 ± 0.01 inch in diameter. Apply pressure slowly to avoid impact and

protect the specimen from vibration during the test. Five readings

shall be taken on the specimen and the average computed to the

nearest 0.001 inch. The results from the sample units in the

sample size shall be averaged and computed to the nearest 0.001

inch. This j,s the lot average thickness of the finished item.

A one yard square specimen of the carpet before application of

cushioning shall be tested for thickness as specified above"-' .

1^/ These tests for pile height of single level pile fabrics have been

superseded by the following:

ASTM D418-68, Standard Method of Testing WOVEN AND TUFTED PILE

FLOOR COVERING,

sections 37-45, TUFT LENGTH (CUT-PILE FLOOR COVERINGS)

sections 46-54, LOOP LENGTH (LOOP-PILE FLOOR COVERINGS)

Sections 46-5 4 for loop length cover single and multilevel but not

cut-loop pile floor coverings.

2^/ The precision of measurement is not stated but implied by the specification that the metal rule shall be graduated in 1/100 inch. It seems unlikely that visual observations could be of this order of precision.

3^/ Apparently this means that the pile height is measured in five high

pile areas and in five low pile areas, once in each of the ten areas.

4^/ For classes of rubber cushioning, see under Compressibility , Specification DDD-C-95.

_5/ "Principal surfaces" is a more accurate term, as the surfaces of

rubber cushioning are not plane.

6^/ Apparently the purchaser must request samples of both finished

carpet and cushioning and assume that the separate cushioning is

the same as that on the finished carpet.

57
THICKNESS

The results from the sample units in the sample size shall be

averaged and computed to the nearest 0.001 inch. This is the lot

average thickness of the carpet before application of the cushioning,

The difference between the thickness before application of the

cushioning and the thickness of the finished item shall be the

average thickness of the rubber cushioning.

Test ; Rubber cushioning - Class 2— - Thickness : The specimen shall be one square yard of Class 2 rubber cushioning

and the thickness shall be determined as for Class 1 rubber

cushioning.

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

3.5, 4.4, 4.5.1, Tables I, VI

Criterion : The minimum overall thickness shall be 0.20 inch.

Test: The sample of carpet shall be placed on a flat and level

surface and the height measured with a metal rule graduated in

1/100 or 1/64 inch, approximately 3.5 inches wide and 0.040 inch

thick. Five measurements are to be made at 2.0 inch intervals by

placing the rule on the surface beside the sample and taking

readings. The average of the five readings shall be taken as the

carpet thickness.

Test : An alternative method is a modification of Method 5030,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 191. The apparatus shall have a presser foot 1 ± 0.001 inch in diameter and shall exert a pressure

of 9.4 ± 0.1 ounces, equivalent to 3/4 psi.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3. 3. 5.1. a, 3. 3. 5. 2. a, 3.5.4.4,

4.5.3, 4.5.4, Tables I, V

Criterion : Pile height requirement depends on the type of carpet,

as in Table I, 3.5.

Test: Single level pile carpet : ASTM D418-68, Standard Methods of

Testing WOVEN AND TUFTED PILE FLOOR COVERING, sections 46-54,

LOOP LENGTH.

Test : Multilevel carpet : Same as for pile height of multilevel

carpet under DDD-C-95 except that the measurements shall be at

least 1 inch apart.

Criterion : Rubber cushioning shall average not less than 0.187

inch thick with thickness differential from one side of the carpet

to the other not to exceed 0.030 inch.

1^1 For classes of rubber cushioning, see under Compressibility , Specification DDD-C-95.

58
THICKNESS

Test : Same as for thickness of Class 1 and Class 2 rubber

cushioning under DDD-C-95.

Criterion : Vinyl cushioning thickness shall be as specified in the

contract or order.

Test: Method 2121, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. Test

results shall be reported as the lot average. Results of tests

conducted on vinyl cushioning prior to attachment to carpet may be

accepted.

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.4.2, 4.5.2, 6.1, Table I

Criterion : Unless otherwise specified, the flooring shall be 0.125

inch thick with a tolerance of ±0.005 inch.

Test : Thickness shall be measured by Method 2131, Federal Test

Method Standard No. 501a. The specimen shall consist of a portion

12 inches long and the full width of the roll. Five equally

spaced measurements shall be made across the width of the specimen.

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 1.2.1, 3.5.2, 4.6.2

Criterion : Tile and roll floor covering shall be furnished in the

following thicknesses as specified:

Thickness, inch, minimum

Grade Overall Wear layer

A 0.085 0.050

B 0.065 0.030

C 0.055 0.020

Test : Measurements shall be made with a micrometer graduated to

read to not less than 0.001 inch. The micrometer shall have a flat-ended pressure foot 0.250 ± 0.002 inch in diameter and an anvil

that has an area of not less than 0.5 sq. in.i' . The pressure

foot shall exert a pressure of 20 ± 5 Ib./in^ (psi) on the floor

covering^.' . No measurement shall be made nearer than 3/4 inch to

\_l A 6-inch square anvil is specified in the thickness test under

L-F-001641, which raises the question as to the size and shape of the

anvil which is necessary to obtain valid measurements.

Tj This is approximately equivalent to 16 ounces force on a 0.25

inch diameter pressure foot as in Method 2111, Fed. Test Method

Std. No. 501a. However, for backed vinyl. Method 2121 (light load) seems more appropriate. In Method 2121 the load is 3 ounces on a 0.025 inch diameter foot or about 3.8 psi.

59
THICKNESS

a cut edge. A specimen 9 inches wide by 12 inches long shall be

taken from the end of the roll. Two measurements (of the wear

layer and the overall thickness) shall be made for each tile or specimen from each roll. Variation between readings shall not be

more than 0.010 inch.

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.3, 3.4, Table I

Criteria: Unless otherwise specified the floor covering shall

be furnished in the following minimum thicknesses:

Overall Wear layer

inch inch

0.065 0.020

0.055 0.014

0.055 0.010

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

The thickness of the backing shall be 0.020 inch minimum for all

classes.

Test: Method 2121, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a with

dial micrometer, 6-inch square anvili' , flat pressure foot 0.250

inch in diameter, and one ounce weight on the p lunge r:r-/ . The

thickness of the foam layer, if present, shall not be included in

determining the thickness of either the wear layer or the backing.

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 1.2, 3.4, 4.5, Table III

Criteria : Type I floor covering shall be furnished in the thicknesses

shown in Table I. Type II floor covering shall have a minimum

overall thickness of 0.120 inch. Except for embossed areas, type

III floor covering shall have a minimum average overall thickness

of 0.085 inch and a minimum average wear layer of 0.040 inch. See

par. 1.2, LLL-F-1238A.

LLL-F-1238A, Table I. Thicknesses

Grade Overall thickness Wear layer

(inch min.

)

(inch min.

)

A (class 1) 0.120 0.090

A (class 2) 0.120

B (class 1) 0.085 0.050

B (class 2) 0.085

1/ See footnote, L-F-475A, Test . V This differs from Method 2121, Fed. Test Method Std. No. 501a. See

Footnote 2/ under L-F-475A.

60
THICKNESS

LLL-F-1238A, Table I. Thicknesses (continued)

Grade Overall thickness Wear layer

(Inch mln.

(Inch mln.)

C (class 1) 0.060 0.022

C (class 2) 0.060

1.2 Classification . The floor covering shall be of the following

types, classes, and grades, as specified (see 6.2)

Type I - regular linoleum

Class 1 - Organic felt backed

Class 2 - Burlap backed

Grade A - Heavy gage

Grade B - Standard gage

Grade C - Light gage

\ Type II - Static linoleum

Class 2 - Burlap backed

Grade H - Hospital duty

Grade I - Industrial duty

Type III - Molded linoleum with or without embossing

Class 1 - Organic felt backed

Grade B - Standard gage

Tests : Overall thickness shall be measured by Method 2111 and

thickness of the wear layer by Method 2141, Federal Test

Method Standard No. 501a.

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE), SS-F-001032,

3.6, 4.4, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, Tables I, III

Criterion : The overall thickness shall be a minimum of 0.070 inch

and the thickness of the wear layer shall be a minimum of 0.015 inch.

Test ; Thickness shall be measured with a micrometer or gage with

a flat-ended pressure foot of 0.250 ± 0.002 inch diameter, exerting

a pressure of 20 ± 5 psi on the specimen^' . The average of 10

scattered measurements shall be taken as the overall thickness and

no measurement shall be made nearer than 3/4 inch to a cut edge.

The thickness of the wear layer shall be determined by scraping

off all of the backing felt and any coating from a small section

of the floor covering and calipering with the micrometer. If the

first measurement is below the minimum specified for the wear

layer, the average of 3 measurements shall be taken as the thickness.

Yj This is a reasonable pressure for the test but differs slightly from

Method 2111, Fed. Test Method Std. No. 501a. See Footnote ll under

L-F-475A.

61
THICKNESS

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-AS BE S TO S , SS-T-312A,

3.4, 4.4.3, Table III

Criteria : Unless otherwise specified, asphalt (Type I) and rubber

(Type II) tile shall be furnished in 1/8 inch thickness. Vinyl

tile (Type III) shall be furnished in 1/16, 5/64, and 1/8 inch

thickness. Vinyl asbestos tile (Type IV) shall be furnished in

1/16, 3/32, and 1/8 inch thickness. A tolerance of plus or minus

0.005 inch shall be permitted.

Tests : One of two methods may be used to measure thickness, both

from Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a: Method 2111 (dial

micrometer) or Method 2131 (micrometer caliper)

Measurements shall be made with a micrometer graduated to read not

less than 0.001 inch. The micrometer shall have a flat-ended

presser foot 0.250 inch ± 0.002 inch in diameter and an anvil

that has an area of not less than 0.5 square inch. The presser

foot shall exert a pressure of 20 p.s.i. ± 5 p.s.i. on the floor

covering. No measurement shall be made nearer than 3/4 inch to a cut edge. The wear layer thickness and overall thickness of embossed

or textured patterns may be determined by the above method if the

pattern consists of substantially flat areas larger than the

micrometer foot. For patterns that do not contain suitable flat

areas, thickness of the wear layer should be determined by Method

2151 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, at randomly selected

points in the specimen. At least 5 points should be measured and

averaged. The thickness of the backing should be measured by

Method 2151 and added to the average obtained for the wear layer

to obtain overall thickness. In cases of dispute, the

thickness of the wear layer should be determined by measuring the

volume of a 6- by 6-inch section of the specimen and dividing by

the area of the specimen to obtain the average overall thickness.

Thickness of the backing shall be determined by using Method 2151

and this value shall be subtracted from the overall thickness to

obtain the average wear layer thickness.

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.4.6, Table IV. Thickness of chips used in coating system.

Criterion and Test : The range of thickness of the chips shall be

4 to 6 mils, measured with a micrometer.

VOLATILITY

Requirement : Volatility control

Comments : Volatility is a quality control test for vinyl cushioning

for carpet and for vinyl asbestos tile. This might be related to

odorlessness, which could be considered a performance requirement.

62
VOLATILITY

Specifications :

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED, WITH

ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.3.5.2.f, 4.4, Table V

Attached vinyl cushioning .

Criterion and Test : Volatile matter shall not exceed 1.0 percent

by Method 9211, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. In this

method, volatile material is determined by loss in weight after

heating in a circulating air oven at 100° ± 1°C. (212 ± 1.8°F) for

6 ± 1/2 hours. The oven should be regulated to insure minimum

air velocity—' .

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS, SS-T-312A,

3.13, 4.4, Table III. Type IV - Vinyl asbestos tile .

Criterion and Test : Volatile matter shall not exceed 0.5 percent

by Method 9211, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

WATER

Requirement ; Water resistance

Comments : This is a quality control requirement for chips used in

monolithic surfacing or seamless floor coating system. Water resistance

for the entire system or for installed flooring would be a performance

requirement, as it relates to water spillage.

Specification :

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685,

3.4.3, Table IV. Chips used in coating system. See Requirement : Curl Resistance .

Criterion and Test : When immersed in water for 5 minutes the chips

shall not deteriorate, discolor, bleed, or curl.

WEAR

RequirementWear

Comments : This is a very important performance requirement which is not

covered by most Federal Specifications for floor coverings. Recently

Abrasion resistance was included in Federal Specification L-F~001641.

In the resilient flooring industry, wear is generally related to service,

while the term abrasion refers to an accelerated laboratory test.

jL/ This statement in DDD-C-001559 is not precise; no reason is given

for low air velocity.

63
WEAR

Service wear has not been correlated with laboratory abrasion

tests. The subject of wear, wear testing, and abrasion tests

have been investigated thoroughly by a number of laboratories.

Specification, Criterion, and Test : See Abrasion resistance .

WEIGHT

Requirement : Weight

Comments : Weight is a quality control requirement for carpets and rugs.

Like Thickness , it may be related to the service life of the floor

covering.

Specifications ;

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95

Criteria and Tests :

Weight of pile yarn, 4.5.2, Tables I-VI, XI, INTERIM AMENDMENT-2,

Tables, July 9, 1970. The pile yarn shall be separated from other

yarns on a sample containing 16 square inches. The prescribed

weight of pile yarn, as ounces per square yard of carpet or rug,

depends on the type of carpet.

Weight of backing material , 3.2.3. The backing material shall be

a woven fabric of either jute or cotton, weighing not less than

9.2 ounces per square yard.

Weight of backing reinforcement , 3.2.4. The backing reinforcement

shall be a woven or knitted fabric weighing not less than 6.0 ounces per square yard.

Weight of attached rubber cushioning . Class 1, 3.2.5.b, 4.4,

4.5.7.1, Table XI. Specimens, one square yard each, of finished

carpet (with cushioning) and carpet before application of cushioning shall be conditioned for at least 4 hours at 70 ± 2°F and

65 ± 2 percent relative humidity. Each specimen shall then be

weighed to the nearest 0.01 pound per square yard. The difference

shall be the lot average weight of the cushioning. Class 2 specimen shall be one square yard of cushioning. (Classes - see under Compressibility )

.

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173

,

3.5, 4.4, 4.5.2, Tables I, VI

64
WEIGHT

Criteria and Tests :

Weight of polypropylene fiber . The minimum weight shall be 22.0 ounces per square yard, not including polypropylene in the

reinforcement cloth. The method used shall conform to the standards

of the industry.

Weight of binding compound . The minimum weight shall be 7.0 and

the maximum weight 10.0 ounces per square yard. The method used

shall conform to the standards of the industry.

Weight, total . The minimum total weight shall be 32.0 ounces per

square yard. The method used shall be Method 5040 or 5041,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 191. When Method 5041 is used, one specimen with an area of at least 16 square inches shall be

used.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED,

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.3.3, 3.3.5.1, 3.5, 4.4,

4.5.2, 4.5.5, Tables I, II, V

Criteria and Tests :

Pile weight , ozs/sq. yd., 4.5.2, Table I, depends on the type of

carpet. In the test, the pile yarn shall be separated from other

yarns (prior to attachment of cushioning) on a sample containing

16 square inches. To express weight of pile yarn per carpet, the

weight of the pile shall be calculated as follows: Weight of pile

yarn (ounces) in 16 sq. in. sample x 81.0 = weight of pile yarn in

ozs/sq. yd. of carpet.

Weight of backing material , 3.3.3, Table II. The backing material

for use in tufted carpets shall be a woven fabric of jute weighing

not less than 7.6 ounces per sq. yd., or a woven or nonwoven fabric

of 100 percent polypropylene weighing not less than 3.0 ounces per

square yard. Weight shall be determined by Method 5041, Federal

Test Method Standard No. 191, TEXTILE TEST METHODS.

Weight of rubber cushioning , 3.3.5.1.b, 4.5.5.1, 4.5.5.2. The

weight per sq. yd. shall not be less than 2.37 pounds for class 1

rubber and not less than 3.50 pounds for class 2 rubber.

For determining weight of class 1 rubber cushioning, the specimen

shall be one square yard of the finished item (with cushioning)

The specimen shall be conditioned for a minimum of 4 hours under

standard conditions of 70°F (±2°F) and 65 percent (±2 percent)

relative humidity for testing. The specimen shall be weighed to

the nearest 0.01 pound per sq. yd. The results from the sample

units in the sample size shall be averaged and computed to the

nearest 0.01 pound per square yard. This is the lot average weight

of the finished item.

65
WEIGHT

One square yard of the carpet before application of the cushioning

shall be tested for weight as specified above. The results from

the sample units in the sample size shall be averaged and computed

to the nearest 0.01 pounds per sq. yd. This is the lot average

weight of the carpet before application of the cushioning. The

difference between these two values is the lot average weight of

the cushioning.

Specimen for determining weight of class 2 rubber cushioning shall

be one sq. yd. of the material. The weight shall be determined

as above.

(Classes - see under Compressibility)

.

3. SAMPLING AND INSPECTION

This subject is related to Defects , Size and Tolerances , and Thickness

under 2. Physical Requirements in Federal Specifications for Floor

Coverings . Sampling is an important part of any test or inspection

procedure. Sampling and acceptance procedures is the subject of Section

5, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, FLOOR COVERINGS, RESILIENT,

NONTEXTILE: SAMPLING AND TESTING. Sampling and number of specimens are covered by Section 3, Federal Test Method Standard No. 191, TEXTILE TEST

METHODS. However, this section merely refers to the detail specifications for sampling and to the test methods or detail specifications for

number of specimens to be tested. Smooth surface resilient floor coverings

are covered by Standard 501a, while carpets and rugs are covered by

Standard 191.

Most of the Federal Specifications for floor coverings (including carpet)

refer to MIL-STD-105, which has been superseded by MIL-STD-105D,

26 April 1063, MILITARY STANDARD - SAMPLING PROCEDURES AND TABLES

FOR INSPECTION BY ATTRIBUTES. Government agencies may obtain copies

from Commanding Officer, Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Taber

Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19120. Others may write to the

Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office,

Washington, D. C. 20402. Federal Specification LLL-F-1238A (linoleum)

refers to Section 5 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER, i

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 4.2.2.1 (visual examination), 4.2.2.2 '

(overall examination), 4.2.2.3 (dimensional examination).

The sample unit for overall and for dimensional examination shall be one roll or rug. The number of rolls or rugs for visual examination shall

be the sample size for overall and dimensional examination.

The sample size shall be based on inspection level II of MIL-STD-105D.

The lot size shall be expressed in units of one square yard. When

examination is made of full rolls, not more than one fifth of the total

sample square yardage shall be examined on any one roll. When the lot

66
consists of less than 5 rolls, an approximately equal nxunber of square

yards shall be examined on each roll to yield the sample yardage. When

examination is made on cut rugs, the number of rugs selected shall be

sufficient to yield the sample yardage.

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

4.3

Inspection shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-105D. The sample unit

shall be 1 linear yard when full length rolls are specified and one piece

when special cut sizes are specified. The inspection level shall be

level II of MIL-STD-105D. The lot size shall be expressed in units of

1 linear yard when full length rolls are specified and one piece when

special cut sizes are specified. When examination is made of full

length rolls, not more than one third of the total sample yardage shall

be examined in any one roll. When the lot consists of less than 5 rolls, an approximately equal number of yards shall be examined on each roll

to yield the sample yardage.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 4.3.2.1

The sample size shall be based on inspection level II of MIL-STD-105D.

The lot size shall be expressed in units of 1 linear yard. When examination is made of full rolls, notmore than one third of the total sample

yardage shall be examined in any one roll. When the lot consists of less

than 5 rolls, an approximately equal number of yards shall be examined

on each roll to yield the sample yardage. When examination is made on carpets cut to size, the number of units selected shall be sufficient

to yield the sample yardage. Each defect listed shall be counted not

more than once in each unit examined, for overall examination. The

sample unit for overall examination shall be one roll or cut piece.

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 4.2, 4.4.2, 4.4.3

Sampling for inspection shall be performed in accordance with the

provisions of MIL-STD-105D except where otherwise indicated. The

sample unit for examination of the end item for defects of appearance

and workmanship shall be ten yards of flooring, omitting the outside turn.

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 4.2, 4.3

Inspection for acceptance shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-105D,

inspection level S-1 for Type I floor covering (tile) and inspection

level I for Type II (roll) floor covering. The lot size for visual

examination shall be expressed in units of tiles for Type I and in

units of lineal feeti^/ for Type II. The lot size and sample units for

examination for dimensional defects shall be expressed in units of tiles

for Type I and in units of linear yardsi' of the width on order for

Type II. The inspection level for this examination shall be level S-1

of MIL-STD-105D.

67
FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 4.3

Sampling and Inspection shall be performed In accordance with the

provisions set forth in MIL-STD-105D except where otherwise indicated.

For visual examination of the end item, the lot size shall be units of

completed end item. The inspection level for this examination shall be

level I of MIL-STD-105D. The unit product shall be one completed end

item. For dimensional examination the lot size shall be units of rolls

and the inspection level sha-1 be S-2 of MIL-STD-105D. The unit of

production shall be one roll. Inspection level for inspection of

preparation for delivery requirements shall be S-2 of MIL-STD-105D.

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 4.2, 4.3

The lot shall be formed and a random sample of floor covering selected

in accordance with Section 5 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE)

,

SS-F-001032, 4.3, 4.4

Inspection shall be performed in accordance with MIL-STD-105D except

where otherwise indicated. The sample unit for visual examination

shall be one linear yard. The inspection level shall be level II,

MIL-STD-105D. The lot size shall be expressed in units of one linear

yard. Not more than one fourth of the total sample linear yardage

shall be examined in any one roll. When the lot consists of less than

5 rolls, an approximately equal number of linear yards shall be

examined in each roll to yield the sample yardage. The sample unit

for overall and for length examination shall be one roll. The rolls

used for visual examination shall be the sample size for both of these

examinations. The sample unit for testing of the end item shall be the

quantity of material required to perform all of the tests listed in

Table III. The lot size for end item testing shall be expressed in terms

of linear yards. The sample size shall be as listed in Table IV. The

lot shall be unacceptable if one or more units fail to meet any specified

requirement

Tests listed in SS-F-001032, Table III - End item testing

Material identification and content (quantitative)

Thickness, overall

Thickness, wearing surface

Residual indentation

\J No reson is given for this inconsistency in the use of feet as the

unit for visual examination and yards as the unit for dimensional

defects.

68
Flexibility

Resistance to:

Acetic acid

Hydrochloric acid

Sulfuric acid

Water

SS-F-001032, Table IV - Sample size

Lot size (units) Sample size

800 or less 2 801 to 22,000 3

22,001 and over 5

TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS,

SS-T-312A, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5

For inspection and tests, unless otherwise specified in the invitation

for bids, the lot shall be formed and samples taken as described in

section 5 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a. Sampling for

defects shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-105D.

4. CONDITIONING REQUIREMENTS IN FEDERAL

SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLOOR COVERINGS

This subject is related to the tests in 2. Physical Requirements in

Federal Specifications for Floor Coverings . Conditioning requirements

specified In these tests appear in Table 5.

Conditioning requirements for carpets and rugs are standardized and the same is true of smooth surface resilient floor coverings except for

variations in tolerances and the water bath conditioning requirement

for Federal Specification L-F-00450A. However, there should be agreement

between conditioning requirements for the two classes of floor coverings.

Gavan and Joy (Note 1, Table 4 ) discuss conditioning requirements for

floor coverings and other materials and efforts to standardize the

"standard" atmosphere. They recommend 73.4 ± 1.8°F. (23 ± 2°C.) and

50 ± 2% relative humidity "for all polymeric materials except those

known to be unaffected by ambient variations". Greater tolerances may

be used for such unaffected materials.

69
Table 5. Summary of conditioning requirements in Federal Specifications

for floor coverings 1/

Specification Time

Number Hour;

2/

4/ DDD-C-95 4,24 -

DDD-C-001173

3/ DDD-C-001559 -

L-F-00450A ^^^ 1

L-F-475A 16

L-F-001641 -^^^ 3

LLL-F-1238A 6/

SS-F-001032

SS-T-312A -

Atmospheric Conditioning

Relative

Humidity

Temperature Percent

21.1±1.1°C 65±2

(70±2°F)

23.0±1.1°C 50±4

(73.4±2.0°F)

23.0±1.1°C 50±4

(73.4±2°F)

23±2°C 50±5

(73.4±3.6°F)

23±2°C 50±5

(73.4±3.6°F)

23±2°C 50±5

(73.4±3.6°F)

Optional Water Bath

Conditioning

Time

mins. Temperature

15-30 23.0±1.1°C

(73.4±2,0°F)

15-30 25±0.5°C

(77±0.9°F)

15-30 25±0.5°C

(77±0.9°F)

15-30 25±0.5°C

(77±0.9°F)

\J See F. M. Gavan and F. A. Joy, "Conditioning Equipment for Polymer

Testing, Chapter 2, Vol. 1, page 41, Testing of . Polymers , ed. by John

V. Schmitz, Interscience, Wiley, N.Y. 1965.

Tj Not less than the time period specified.

2/ As in Federal Test Method Standard No. 191.

4_/ Twenty-four hrs. for shrinkage and colorfastness tests for carpet; 4

hours for rubber cushioning.

_5/ In the test for resistance to reagents, the immersed specimen is

maintained at 23.0±1.1°C (73.4±2.0°F) and the scratch test performed

at 21 - 24°C (70 - 75°F)

.

6^/ As in Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a, Method 1041, unless

otherwise indicated, standard conditions are shown in the table. Except

in case of dispute, conditioning and testing shall be at room temperature, 23±5°C (73.4±9°F). In case of dispute specimens shall be

conditioned and tested under standard conditions as shown in the table.

Jj For resistance to oils and chemicals, specimens shall be exposed to

the solvents for 46±l/4 hours at 23.0±1.1°C (73.4±2. 0°F) . For

residual indentation, specimens shall be conditioned and tested at

72°F, 50 percent relative humidity. Conditioning shall be for 24 hours.

70

i
5. MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS IN FEDERAL

SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLOOR COVERINGS .

As stated in the Introduction, Federal Specifications for floor coverings

include physical and material requirements. Whereas the physical requirements were covered in part 2, the materials requirements are reviewed in

this part. They include carpets and rugs, resilient floor coverings, and

monolithic surfacings or seamless flooring. For each specification, the

requirements for the materials in the product are listed together with

comments about them.

CARPETS AND RUGS, WOOL, NYLON, ACRYLIC, MODACRYLIC, POLYESTER,

POLYPROPYLENE, DDD-C-95, 1.2.1, 3.2, 3.7, 3.10, 4.2.1, Tables

I-VII inclusive

Construction is classified into types and classes. The types

include Axminster, Velvet, and Wilton woven carpet, indicating the type

of loom; Tufted, Knitted, and Modified, indicating construction other

than woven on a loom. The classes refer to the pile construction, as single or multilevel, loop or cut pile, twist, or whether woven through

the back.

Comments : It is difficult for purchasing agents to determine the type

of construction from examination of the end item, as this requires

laboratory procedures.

Pile yarn shall be made of 100 percent wool, nylon, acrylic,

modacrylic, polyester or polypropylene or blends of these fibers. Not

less than 20 percent of any of the above fibers shall be used when blended

with other fibers and such blends cannot consist of more than two fibers.

Unless otherwise specified, spun yarn shall be at least 2-ply. Each

carpet and rug sha-1 be labeled, ticketed, or invoiced for fiber content

in accordance with the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.

Comments : This requires laboratory procedures for fiber Identification

and analysis.

Wool shall be thoroughly scoured carpet type fiber which has never

been reclaimed from any woven, tufted, knitted, or felted products.

The w^ool yarn shall contain a minimum of 97 percent wool based on the

dry weight of the specimen.

Comments : It is difficult to establish the grade of wool even by laboratory

analysis. Method 1100, Federal Test Method Standard 191, IDENTIFICATION

OF WOOL, does not identify the type or species of wool which is suitable

for carpet fiber. Federal Specification DDD-C-95 calls only for a supplier's certificate of compliance.

Staple nylon . Shall be carpet type fiber with average fiber size

of 15 denier or coarser, which has never been reclaimed from any woven,

tufted, knitted, or felted products. The finished yarn shall contain not

more than 2.0 percent chloroform soluble material.

71
II

II

Filament nylon . Shall be continuous filament high bulk or texture

carpet type yarn with other requirements the same as for staple nylon.

Acrylic, modacrylic, polyester, and polypropylene requirements are similar to those for nylon.

Comments on man-made fibers : Acrylic, modacrylic, polyester, and

polypropylene are only generic terms and do not constitute a chemical

description nor specify the average molecular weight. It would be better

to specify such physical properties as breaking tenacity, crimp, abrasion

resistance, water absorption, or weathering resistance of the fibers or yarns

Attached rubber cushioning shall be made from natural or synthetic

latex or a mixture of natural and synthetic latices.

Back coating shall be a synthetic resin or natural or synthetic >|

latex compound.

Chain, Filling, Stuffer may be cotton, rayon, jute, kr^fc cord

or mixtures.

Comments on cushioning, coating, chain, filling, stuffer : The material

requirements are not specific enough.

CARPET, NONWOVEN, POLYPROPYLENE, OUTDOOR-INDOOR TYPE, DDD-C-001173,

3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 4.3.1, Tables I, II

Polypropylene fiber shall be solution dyed, approximately 15.0

denier average. Additives to improve light resistance are allowable.

Reinforcement cloth shall be of polypropylene fibers or yarns,

either woven or nonwoven, and shall weigh not less than 2.0 ozs. and

not more than 3.0 ozs. per square yard. The cloth shall be constructed

to enable the finished carpet to meet the requirements of this

specification.

Binders . The binding material shall be odorless and of stable

character, and shall be suitable for meeting the requirements of the

finished carpet. Binders used shall not prevent carpet from meeting

flame resistance requirements. The use of water soluble plasticizer

materials is prohibited. The binders used shall produce a smooth and

flat appearance on the back of the carpet.

Construction . The carpet shall consist of felted polypropylene

fibers with cloth center reinforcement, manufactured by the needle

loom, with binders. Back of the carpet shall be smooth and flat as produced by penetration of the bonding compound. The interlocking of

fibers and construction of the carpet shall be of such quality as to

prevent splitting under normal usage. Edges shall be evenly cut.

72
C jgnents : Remarks about man-made fibers under DDD-C-95 apply to the

polypropylene fiber in DDD-C-001173. Other materials requirements

relate to the end item, and to performance, for the most part, such as the statement that the reinforcement cloth and binders shall be such as

to enable the carpet to meet the requirements of the specifications.

CARPET, LOOP, LOW PILE HEIGHT, HIGH DENSITY, WOVEN OR TUFTED

WITH ATTACHED CUSHIONING, DDD-C-001559, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7

Pile yarn shall be 100 percent continuous filament high bulk or textured carpet type nylon, unless otherwise specified. Individual

filament size shall average 15 denier or coarser. The finished yarn

shall contain not more than 2.0 percent chloroform soluble material.

Chain, filling and stuffer yarns used in woven carpets shall be

made of vegetable or synthetic fibers.

Backing material for tufted carpets shall be a woven jute fabric

weighing not less than 7.6 ounces per square yard, or a woven or non- woven fabric of 100 percent polypropylene weighing not less than 3.0 ounces per square yard. The nonwoven fabric may consist of less than

100 percent polypropylene fibers, but shall be not less than 75 percent

polypropylene fibers with the balance ce-lulosic, nylon or polyester

fibers. When vinyl cushioning is specified, a vinyl coated or impregnated fibrous glass cloth, not less than 17.5 by 15.5 mesh size,

is acceptable.

Back coating . The back coating compound shall be a synthetic

or natural latex compound.

Rubber cushioning shall be made from natural or synthetic latex

or a mixture. Ill

Vinyl cushioning shall be suitable compounded virgin polymer or copolymer of vinyl chloride resin, plasticized with phosphate or phthalate

ester plasticizers only. The compound shall be uniform, free from

fiber and objectionable odor. Virgin polymer shall be defined as a polymer or copoljoner that has not been processed into a finished product

prior to use in the cushioning.

Construction , as indicated in the title, may be woven or tufted.

Classes are based on whether single or multilevel loop pile; the pile

weight and height; number of tufts per square inch; pile yarn denier;

ply twist; and tuft bind.

Comments ; Same as for man-made fibers, cushioning, coating, etc. under

DDD-C-95.

FLOORING, VINYL PLASTIC, L-F-00450A, 3.2

The flooring shall comprise a thoroughly blended composition of thermoplastic binder, fillers, and pigments. The thermoplastic binder shall be

73
a vinyl plastic as defined in ASTM D883. A carrier backing is not

permitted. The coloring pigments shall be of good quality, insoluble,

in water, and resistant to cleaning agents and light.

Comments : ASTM D883-69a, STANDARD NOMENCLATURE RELATING TO PLASTICS,

defines vinyl plastics as those based on resins made from monomers

containing the vinyl group, CH2=CH-, as vinyl chloride, acetate, and

alcohol plastics. Some vinyl plastics are generally classified by a more specific designation for the monomer, as acrylic plastics, based

on acrylic acid, or styrene plastics, based on styrene. This is only a generic classification and does not define the plastic chemically.

Fillers and pigments are not defined and plasticizers, stabilizers, etc. are not mentioned.

FLOOR COVERING VINYL SURFACE (TILE AND ROLL), WITH BACKING,

L-F-475A, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3

Wearing surface— . The wearing surface shall be a vinyl plastic

layer consisting of a binder and, if included, fillers and pigments

stabilized against heat and light deterioration. The binder shall consist

of one or more vinyl resins and plasticizer and shall benot less than 34

percent by weight of the wearing surface. Each vinyl shall be a polyvinyl

chloride or a copolymer of vinyl chloride not less than 85 percent of

which is vinyl chloride. The vinyl resin shall be not less than 60

percent by weight of the binder. A clear protective coating not

exceeding 0.005 in. thick may be applied to the floor covering. The

protective coating shall not lessen the action of solvents on floor

coverings when tested for resistance to solvents.

Comments : The percentage of vinyl chloride does not adequately describe

the vinyl resin. Thus, for example, the properties also depend on the

molecular weight and on monomers with which vinyl chloride may be co- polymerized. A complete material description of the vinyl resin should

include physical properties relevant to manufacture and end use. The

properties of floor coverings also depend on the amount and type of

plasticizers and fillers, especially asbestos. Additional research may

be necessary to establish the optimum thickness of the protective coating,

which should be related to performance in service. We suggest that

removal of any protective coating be included in the test method for

resistance to solvents. This would eliminate restrictions on the thickness

and solvent resistance of the coating.

Backing . The backing shall be fabricated of organic or inorganic

fibers as specified by the purchasing agency. Organic fibers shall be

felt treated with a resin or asphalt saturant. Inorganic fibers shall

be saturated with a poljnneric material resistant to alkali and moisture.

\J "Wear layer" is a more accurate term, since a surface has only two

dimensions.

74
Coiaments : The description of the two types of backing is only generic

but the second type is required to be resistant to alkali and moisture,

a performance requirement. No criteria or tests are mentioned for this

requirement

FLOOR COVERING TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT VINYL SURFACE WITH

BACKING, L-F-001641, 3.1

Wear layer . The wear layer shall be a translucent or transparent

vinyl plastic layer, which can include extender and pigment, stabilized

against heat and light deterioration. The binder shall consist of one

or more vinyl resins and plasticizers and shall be not less than 90

percent of the weight of the wear layer. Each resin shall be a poly-

(vinylchloride) or a copolymer of vinyl chloride. The vinyl resin shall

be not less than 60 percent by weight of the binder.

Comments : See Comments under L-F-475A, Wearing surface—.

Foam layer , when used, shall allow the finished floor covering to

meet physical requirements.

Comments : The materials system is not defined but performance requirements

are specified.

Backing . The backing shall be one of the following as applicable

for the type specified and use intended:

Type I, Organic . Backing shall consist of organic fibers treated

with asphalt or other moisture-resistant materials.

Type II, Filled Vinyl . Backing shall consist of a plasticized,

stabilized, and filled vinyl resin.

Type III, Inorganic . Backing shall consist of inorganic fibers

treated with a material resistant to alkali and moisture.

Comments : The description of the backings is generic. Performance

requirements are included in Types I and III.

FLOOR COVERING, LINOLEUM, LLL-F-1238A, 3.1

Wearing surface . The wearing surface shall consist of oxidized

linseed oil, fossil, or other resins or rosin or an equivalent completely oxidized oleoresinous binder thoroughly mixed with ground cork

or vfood flour, mineral filler, and pigments. Static linoleum shall

have built-in electrically conductive properties. The requirement for

Electrical conductance is under Physical Requirements .

\J See footnote under the same.

75
Comments : Like the other materials requirements for floor coverings, this

does not adequately define the product and is only a generic description.

This requirement could be improved by including specifications for the

linseed oil, resins, cork or wood floor, filler, pigments, and conditions

under which the linoleum was oxidized after mixing and forming into

sheet. The conductive material could also be specified.

Backing may be organic fiber felt backing treated with resin or asphalt saturant, or may be burlap.

Surface coating . Unless otherwise specified, the wearing surface

of type I (regular) and type III (molded) linoleum shall be factory

finished with a clean, transparent coating.

Comments : The description of backing and surface coating is generic.

FLOOR COVERING, ASPHALTIC FELT (BITUMINOUS TYPE SURFACE),

SS-F-001032, 3.3, 3.5

Composition, Type I (regular) . Type I floor covering shall consist

of a bituminous wear layer of not less than 63 percent bituminous vehicle

and not more than 37 percent permanent nonfading pigments, with surface

securely bonded to an asphalt treated felt base coated on its back

with a waterproof bituminous material. The felt backing shall be

finished so that the exposed side of the backing shall not mar the

wearing surface in unrolling the floor covering. I

Composition, Type II (slip resistant) . Same as Type I except for

requirements of not less than 55 percent bituminous vehicle, not more

than 45 percent pigments, and sufficient silicate embedded in the wear

layer throughout the floor covering for slip resistance.

Comments : We suggest more specific material requirements for

bituminous vehicle and silicate abrasive. Bituminous might refer to

coal tar pitch or petroleum asphalt, both of which are available in

various grades. A vehicle could contain various solvents and various

percentages of solvents, thinners, and total solids. Silicates are also

of various types. We suggest detailed material requirements and also

a criterion and test for slip resistance of the floor covering.

Vinyl chips . When specified, vinyl chips in the color or colors

specified shall be added to the type I floor covering for decoration

and to camouflage tracking. Vinyl chips shall be permanently set up

relatively flush with the top surface of the floor covering.

Comments : There is no specification for the vinyl chips or the

coverage or the quantity to be applied per given area.

76
TILE, FLOOR: ASPHALT, RUBBER, VINYL, VINYL-ASBESTOS , SS-T-312A,

3.1, 4.4, Table III

Composition of wearing surface— is guaranteed by a certificate of

compliance from the supplier. There is no method of analysis or test.

Type I - asphalt tile . The tile shall consist of a thoroughly

blended composition of the thermoplastic binder, asbestos fibers, mineral

fillers, and pigments. The binder shall consist of asphaltic or resinous type materials.

Comments : This defines the generic type of product and allows a great

deal of latitude in formulation. The description 'asphalt tile' is

misleading if resins are used. Presumably the properties of the resins,

together with plasticizers, simulate the properties of asphalt.

Type II - rubber tile . The tile shall be a compound of natural

rubber or synthetic rubber, alone or in combination. The coloring

matter shall be of good quality, insoluble in water, and resistant to

alkali, cleaning agents, and light.

Comments : This also allows considerable latitude and there is no specification for the type of rubber or other compounding ingredients.

Resistance to alkali for Types I, III, and IV tile is covered by the

requirement for resistance to reagents under the physical requirements in

the specification. However, Type II tile is not covered by the

requirement for resistance to reagents.

Type III - vinyl tile . The tile shall be of vinyl plastic consisting

of a blended composition of a binder, fillers, and pigments stabilized

against heat and light deterioration. The binder shall consist of one

or more vinyl resins and plasticizer and shall be not less than 34

percent by weight of the tile. Each vinyl shall be a polyvinyl chloride

or a copolymer of vinyl chloride not less than 85 percent of which is

vinyl chloride. The vinyl resin shall be not less than 60 percent by

weight of the binder. A clear protective coating not exceeding 0.0005

inch thick may be applied to the floor covering. The protective coating

shall not less the action of solvents on floor covering when tested for

resistance to reagents.

Comments : Same as under L-F-475A, Wearing surface .

Type IV - vinyl asbestos tile . The tile shall consist of a thoroughly blended composition of thermoplastic binder, asbestos fibers,

mineral fillers and pigments. The binder shall consist of a polyvinyl

chloride resin or a copol3rmer resin compounded with suitable plasticizers

and stabilizers.

1/ "Wear layer" is a more accurate term. See footnote under L-F-475A.

Wearing surface .

77
Comments : This defines the generic type of product and allows a good deal of latitude in f ormulation> but it is not definitive.

COATING SYSTEM - DECORATIVE AND PROTECTIVE, SEAMLESS, TT-C-001685

Components of system, 3.1, Table 1

Base coat - Unit 1 . The pigmented base coat shall consist of two

components, a one to one blend of epoxy resin emulsion and polyamide

resin as curing agent. The physical properties of these ingredients

shall be as specified in Table I. Any suitable pigment or combination

of pigments may be used which comply with the specification.

Intermediate coat - Unit 2 . The translucent intermediate coat shall

consist of two components, a one to one blend of epoxy resin emulsion

and polyamide resin with properties as in Table I.

Decorative chips or flakes - Unit 3 . The chips or flakes shall be

opaque, colorfast, and shall comply with the physical properties in

the specification.

Top coat (glazed) - Unit 4 . The top coat shall be polyurethane,

oil-free, moisture-curing, with some of characteristics as in Federal

Specification TT-C-542B and Amendment-1 (Author's note: The later

Interim Specification TT-C-00542C may be substituted for TT-C-542B and

Amendment-1), except for the following:

Minimum Maximum

Nonvolatile percent by weight 40 —

NCO (available) , percent by weight on nonvolatile vehicle — 4

Free TDI (vapor hazard) percent on total

coating — 0.5

Viscosity (CPS) 80 200

Color (Gardner) — 1

Flash point, deg. F. (Tag Close Tester) 80

Dry through, hours — 2 1/2

Abrasion resistance, wear index (Taber, CS-17

wheel, lOOOg, 1000 cycles) ~ 50

Pencil hardness F —

78
rT-C-001685, Table I. Physical properties of the vehicle components

Values

Physical properties Minimum Maximum

Epoxy resin emulsion:

Color, Gardner Color Standard — 4

Non-volatile content, percent by weight

of resin 98

Epoxide equivalent^ 185 200

Viscosity, poises, 25°C 100 160

Polyamide resin (curing agent)

Amine value" 330 360

Color, Gardner Color Standard — 9

Non-volatile content, percent by weight

of resin 98 —

Viscosity, poises, 25°C 20 70

Grams of resin containing one gram equivalent of epoxide.

b. Milligrams of KOH equivalent to the amine alkalinity present in one gram of sample.

Application of system : See Requirements : Adhesion to substrate and

Application properties .

Qualitative requirements for components , 3.2, Table IV

Base coat - Unit 1

Color : The color shall be white or a color agreed upon by purchaser

and supplier and shall match a color chip as in Federal

Standard No. 595.

Hiding power (contrast ratio) : A dry film thickness of 0.0015

in. maximum (minimum apparent hiding power reflectivity 85

percent) shall have a contrast ratio of 0.95.

Base and Intermediate coats - Units 1 and 2

Storage stability of each component - partially full container : Each component shall show no skinning, curdling, livering,

hard caking, or gummy sediment. It shall mix readily to a smooth, homogenous state; any skin formation shall be continuous

and easily removed.

Storage stability - full container : Each component shall show

no skinning, livering, hard and dry caking, or tough sediment

and shall readily mix to a smooth, homogenous state.

79
Quantitative requirements for components , Tables II, III, and IV

TT-C-001685, Table 11. Quantitative requirements of base coat

Requirements

Characteristics Minimum Maximum

Total solids, percent by weight of coating 54

Pigment, percent by weight of coating 40

Non-volatile vehicle, percent by weight

of coating 14 —

Consistency (Krebs units) at 25°C 100 115

Drying time:

Set-to-touch, hour 1/4

Dry hard , hour 1 —

Reflectance, 45°, directional, white 85 —

Weight per gallon , pounds 12 —

Pot life, hours, at 25°C. and 50 percent

relative humidity 2 —

TT-C-001685, Table III. Quantitative requirements of intermediate coat

Characteristics

Total solids, percent by weight of coating

Non-volatile, percent by weight of coating

Silica, percent by weight of coating

Consistency, Krebs units, 25°C

Drying time:

Set-to-touch, hours 1 —

Dry hard , hours — 16

Gloss, 60° Specular (cured 7 days at 25°C. and

50 percent relative humidity) 25 50

Pot life, hours (25°C. and 50 percent relative

humidity) 8 —

Requirements

Minimum Maximum

39 54

37 47

1 5

60 65

80
TT-C-001685, Table IV. Index to Characteristics of Components

Characteristics

Base coat - Unit 1

Color

Consistency

Drying time

Hiding power (contrast ratio)

Nonvolatile vehicle

Pigment content

Pot life

Reflectance

Total solids

Weight per gallon

Applicable Test Methods

Requirement Federal Test TT--C-001685

Reference, Method Std.

No. 141a,

par.

TT-C-001685

Method

3.2.1 4250^ 4.3.4

Table II 4281

Table II 4061-

' 3.2.4 4122^ 4.3.7^

Table II 4053

Table II 4021

Table II 4.3.12^^

Table II 6121

Table II 4041

Table II 4184

Intermediate coat - Unit 2

Color

Consistency

Drying time

Gloss, 60°, Specular

Nonvolatile vehicle

Pot life

Silica

Total solids

Table III

Table III

Table III

Table III

Table III

Table III

Table III

Table III

4248

4281

4061

6101

4053

7251

4041

4.3.12

Base and intermediate coats - Units 1 and 2

Condition in container

Storage stability

Epoxy resin:

Color

Epoxide equivalent

Nonvolatile content

Viscosity

Polyamide resin:

Amine value

Color

Nonvolatile content

Viscosity

3.2.2

3.2.3

Table I Table I Table I Table I

Table I Table I Table I Table I

3011

3021, 3022

4248

4041

4287

4248

4041

4287

4.3.5

4.3.6^

4.3.2

4.3.3 g

81
TT-C-001685, Table IV. Index to Characteristics of Components (cont.)

Characteristics

Chips or flakes - Unit 3

Color

Curling

Dusting

Thickness

Water resistance

Requirement

Reference,

TT-C-001685

3.4.2

3.4.4

3.4.5

3.4.6

3.4.3

Applicable Test Methods

Federal Test TT-C-001685

Method Std. par.

No. 141a,

Method

h

h

h

h

h

Whole system

Adhesion

Application properties

Bleed through

Impact resistance

3.6.2

3.6.1

3.6.3

3.6.4

4.3.9,

4.3.8

4.3.10:

4.3.11

Notes to TT-C-001685, Table IV:

a. Draw down a film of the base coat on a white, opaque glass panel,

using an applicator that will deposit a dry film thickness of

approximately 1 1/2 mils.

b. Draw down a film, using a suitable applicator that will deposit a

3 Inch wide film with a dry film thickness of 0.0015 Inch maximum.

Check the reflectance; verify the film thickness in the area in which

reflectance is measured; and calculate the contrast ratio.

c. Pot life shall be tested in accordance with the manufacturer's directions,

d. Determine condition in the container for each component.

e. For partially full container, determine skinning after 48 hours as in Method 3021. For full container, allow a full standard quart can

of each component (base coat and intermediate coat) to stand undisturbed

for one year and then examine the content. See under Qualitative

requirements for components . Base and Intermediate Coats, Units 1 and 2 . f. Standard Method of Test for EPOXY CONTENT OR EPOXY RESINS, ASTM D1652.

g. The amine value is mg KOH equivalent to the amine alkalinity present

in one g sample by ASTM D1652.

h. See under Requirements : Color , Curl resistance . Dusting control . Thickness , Water resistance . Adhesion to substrate . Application

properties . Bleed through control , Impact resistance .

82
Connnents : The materials requirements, criteria, and tests appear to

constitute a complete characterization of the coating system, based mostly

on accepted methods for chemical analysis, physical tests, and observations

on the components and on the whole system.

6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR

IMPROVEMENTS IN PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The need for Improvement and standardization of physical requirements for

floor coverings was indicated by the comments and footnotes in Parts 1,

2, and 3. Further comments follow on specific physical requirements.

Remarks are addressed to tests or test methods but they may also apply

to requirements and criteria with respect to need and applicability.

References by letter and number refer to Federal Specifications.

Abrasion resistance appears only in L-F-001641 and TTOC-001685.

Tests for abrasion resistance are needed in all Federal Specifications.

Probably one test could be applied to all smooth surface floor coverings,

including resilient floor coverings and monolithic surfacings or seamless

flooring. A wear test would be valuable for evaluating different carpet

constructions and materials. A wear test which would be applicable to

all flooring would be valuable in economic decision making but may not

be practicable.

Adhesion to substrate , found in TT-C-001685 , is also important in

resilient floor coverings and carpet which are applied with adhesive.

Aging . Different test methods are used for rubber and vinyl

cushioning in DDD-C-95 and DDD-C-001559.

Appearance , specified in L-F-001641, should be covered in other

Federal Specifications for floor coverings. Appearance is covered in

several other specifications under Color .

Application properties or installation properties, covered by

TT-C-001685, are Important in every type of floor covering, although

these properties will not always be the same.

Color , covered by L-F-475A, SS-T-312A, and TT-C-001685, is related

to Appearance and should be included in other specifications.

Colorfastness is a requirement which appears in Federal Specifications

for carpet but not in specifications for resilient floor coverings, for

which it is also Important, since pigments in resilient floor coverings

might fade on exposure to light, detergents, etc. This may also apply

to monolithic surfacings. Test methods for colorfastness would necessarily

depend on the type of floor covering.

83
Defects control criteria and test methods depend on the nature of

the floor covering to a large extent. Items such as "Uneven felting or poor interlocking of fibers", "Tufts missing in pile", and "Binding"

defects are relevant only to carpet. Properties such as curl resistance

and squareness apply only to resilient tile, except as curl resistance

applies to chips in seamless flooring. Hardness and impact resistance

apply only to smooth surface floor coverings and not to carpet.

Classification of defects within each major category of floor coverings

(carpets, resilient floor coverings, and monolithic surfacings) should

be standardized as much as is practicable, using tables of classification

of defects as in L-F-475A, L-F-001641, LLL-F-1238A, and SS-F-001032.

Federal Specifications L-F-00450A and SS-T-312A could be improved by the use of such tables.

Deflection of tile was classified in Part 1 as a performance requirement but the criteria may be more related to quality control, as the

requirement for vinyl asbestos tile is more severe than that for asphalt

tile. This is probably because vinyl asbestos tile can be bent more than

asphalt tile without breaking rather than because of considerations

regarding performance in service, although it may be related to ease of

handling during installation.

Depth of depressed areas appears in SS-T-312A, a recent revision of

SS-T-312, and should be a part of all resilient floor covering specifications,

since roll and sheet material is often embossed. The requirement for

depth of depressed areas appears in DDD-C-95 and DDD-C-001559 carpet

specifications under the test for thickness of multilevel carpet. It is

probably not applicable to DDD-C-001173.

Dimensional stability is generally considered a requirement for

nontextile floor coverings, which are comparatively rigid and do not

stretch appreciably. Dimensional stability of carpets and rugs is covered

under Shrinkage resistance . For resilient floor coverings, details lacking

in Methods 6211 and 1041 (conditioning) of Federal Test Method Standard

No. 501a are supplied in the detail specifications. There are some variations in the details. The temperature and relative humidity are

the same in all of the specifications but tolerances vary. Time and

temperature of oven heating differ from the Test Method Standard and

from other specifications in L-F-475A, which specifies heating the

specimens at 158°F. (70°C.) instead of the usual 180°F. (82°C.) and for

20 hours instead of the usual 6 hours. In L-F-001641, specimens are heated for only one hour at 180°F.

Flexibility or Pliability is not included in DDD-C-95, since this

requirement is unnecessary for pile floor coverings without cushioning.

Flexibility is important for nonwoven carpet (DDD-C-001173) and for carpet

with attached cushioning (DDD-C-001559) and is included in the specifications mentioned. However, we question the requirements that nonwoven

carpet should be bent at 160° angle (DDD-C-001173) and that carpet with

attached cushioning should be tested by "doubling and pressing flat on itself" (DDD-C-001559). The question is whether this kind of treatment

is to be expected during normal shipping and handling. The low temperature

84
flexibility requirement in DDD-C-001559 is probabl}?^ due to the tendency

of rubber cushioning to crack when flexed at low temperatures.

The flexibility of resilient floor coverings is tested by bending over mandrels of various diameters and examining for failures. Conditioning

and testing is usually at 23° ± 2°C. (73.4 ± 3.6°F.) and 50 ± 5 percent

relative humidity as in Method 1041, Federal Test Method Standard No.

501a. However, no conditions of temperature and humidity are specified

in SS-F-001032, while in L-F-475A, the tolerances are ±1.1°C, (±2° F.)

and ±4 percent relative humidity.

Indentation resistance . As already mentioned in part 1, the

Armstrong machine is used for smooth surface resilient floor coverings

except for asphalt and vinyl asbestos tile in SS-T-312A, for which

indentation is measured with the McBurney tester. Aside from this variation,

there are several versions of Method 3221 (initial indentation) and

Method 3231 (residual indentation), Federal Test Method Standard No, 501a.

Federal Specification L-F-001641 specifies Method 3231 (flat foot indentor)

for floor covering without foam but a modification with hemispherical pressure

foot for floor covering with a foam layer. Criteria or prescribed values

for indentation vary between specifications and some require both initial

and residual indentation; some only initial; and some only residual

indentation. Unlike other floor coverings, asphalt and vin3'^l asbestos

tile in SS-T-312A are tested at 77°F. and after heating to 115°F. In

most cases conditioning and testing are at 73.5°F. (23°C.) and 50 percent

relative humidity as in Method 1041, Federal Test Method Standard No. 501a.

No conditions of temperature and humidity are specified in SS-F-001032.

Resistance to chemicals, grease, oil, and solvents . The method for

resilient floor coverings is to immerse separate specimens for a certain

period of time in alcohol, mineral oil, tallow, vegetable oil, and 5 percent aqueous solutions of acids and bases. The specimens are then

subjected to the scratch test as in Method 7711, Federal Test Method

Standard No. 501a. The allowable width of scratch is 0.100 inch for

specimens exposed to alcohol, fats, and oils, and 0.120 to 0.125 inch

for those exposed to dilute acids and bases. The reason for this is

probably that floor coverings are probably more resistant to alcohol,

fats, and oils than to dilute acids and bases. In L-F-475A, isopropyl

alcohol is substituted for ethyl alcohol, which probably makes little

difference. It is not clear why it is necessary to use both 5 percent

acetic acid and 5 percent sulfuric acid, since sulfuric acid is a much

stronger acid than acetic acid. In most cases, the criterion of color

stability to reagents is added to resistance to softening implied in the

scratch test. However, in SS-F-001032 and with asphalt and vinyl asbestos

tile in SS-T-312A, no observation for color change is required. For

vinyl tile in SS-T-312A, specimens are observed for color change.

There is no requirement for chemical resistance of rubber tile in

SS-T-312A, although this might be expected to compare favorably with the

other types of tile. In L-F-001641 and SS-F-001032 only a qualitative test

is used for softening. In SS-F-001032, specimens are tested only for

85
resistance to dilute acids and bases and in SS-T-312A, asphalt tile is

tested only for resistance to 5 percent sodium hydroxide. This suggests

that some products have severe limitations in kitchens, bathrooms, etc.

Shrinkage resistance . As already discussed ia the footnotes, part

2, shrinkage requirements vary between specifications and some of the

test conditions are not well defined. It might be closer to practice

to use commercial rug cleaning equipment!/ or a cylindrical wash

wheel±-' . Also, it might be a good idea to test shrinkage on repeated

washing.

Size and tolerance control . As discussed in the footnote in part

2, tolerances for width and length of carpets and rugs vary considerably

and some appear to be too large. In most cases the width tolerance for

roll goods in smooth surface resilient floor coverings is plus 1.00 inch

minus inch, which seems unreasonable, as discussed in the footnote.

A plus 1/4 minus 1/8 inch width tolerances as in SS-F-001032 seems more

reasonable. The tolerances for tile in L-F-475A and SS-T-312A are approximately the same but should be exactly the same.

Thickness or Pile height . As remarked in footnotes, part 2,

methods for measurement of pile height of carpets and rugs should be

updated and revised. There are no tolerances for pile height of carpet

or thickness of cushioning. Other comments on measuring thickness of

cushioning appear in the footnotes. Variations between test methods

for thickness of smooth surface resilient floor coverings and other

comments appear in the footnotes, part 2. Tolerances for thickness are specified in L-F-00450A and SS-T-312A but not in L-F-475A, L-F-001641,

LLL-F-1238A, or SS-F-001032.

A study of this manual shows a need for improvement and standardization of

the requirements, criteria, and test methods in Federal Specifications

for floor coverings and a revision of Federal Test Method Standards Nos.

501a and 191. Also, study of present requirements, criteria, and tests

should assist in the development of criteria and test methods which can

be used to establish performance requirements for floor coverings.

The following requirements might be considered in addition to those already

mentioned here in writing specifications and standards for floor coverings.

Those mentioned previously in this manual appear in parts 1 and 2.

Air contamination control . This is a broad performance requirement

which might be expressed as follows: "Floor covering shall not emit

dust, particulate matter, fumes, odors, or any volatile substance which

1/ Martha E. Hensley and Ruth E. Ridgely, "Effect of soiling and cleaning

cotting floor coverings of selected colors". Journal of Home

Economics, vol. 55, No. 3, 173-183 (March, 1963)

.

2/ Method 5550, Federal Test Method Standard No. 191.

86
will endanger health, reduce the efficiency of persons using the space,

or damage equipment or furniture". This includes requirements presently

listed under Odorlessness and Volatility .

Bleeding of tile is a quality control requirement used in the

floor covering industry to determine whether plasticizers are likely to

migrate from resilient tile by absorption and mechanical action of footwear, etc. Loss of plasticizer causes the tile to become brittle and

hard with loss of flexibility. The test can be made by applying

cigarette paper to the tile under pressure and noting whether the paper

becomes wetted with plasticizer. This is known as a "sweat test".

Cleanability is a performance requirement which covers washability,

scrubability and ability to respond to all cleaning methods such as vacuuming, shampooing, and stain removal. It might be written as follows: "The floor covering shall be capable of being maintained in

an attractive and sanitary condition without excessive maintenance cost".

Competitive life-cost . This performance requirement is the broadest

way of expressing such characteristics as cleanability, durability,

wear or abrasion resistance, ease of repair and maintenance and might

be written as follows: "The life-cost of the floor covering shall be

competitive with the life-cost of flooring presently used in the area

under consideration. Life-cost is the sum of installed cost and costs

of operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement".

Durability is a broader requirement than wear or abrasion resistance

as it covers resistance to deterioration of all properties, including

appearance, color, and thickness of wearing surface. This requirement

might be written as follows: "Floor coverings shall maintain their

serviceability and retain their original properties for at least ten

years under the expected conditions of use".

Freedom of movement of wheeled vehicles expresses a problem usually

associated with carpeting. In locations such as hospitals and supermarkets, use of carpet often causes greater difficulty than smooth

floor coverings in moving the carts and other wheeled equipment normally

used in such areas. The requirement might be worded: "Floor covering

shall not impede the movement of wheeled equipment normally used in the area under consideration".

Levelness is a requirement which might be used for smooth surface

flooring but would not apply to carpet. Some standard of levelness and

planeness of the surface should be established for smooth flooring,

including the underlayment or subfloor.

Noise reduction is a problem for experts in acoustical properties

of materials and will not be dealt with here.

Resilience as related to foot comfort is a desirable but not

necessary property and criteria and test methods are needed to determine

the trade-off advantage of carpet and other soft floor coverings.
Resistance to boiling water might be considered to be a performance

requirement for floor coverings to be used in kitchens or other areas which might be subjected to hot water. The requirements for resistance

against disintegration in boiling water appears in the now discontinued

Federal Specification LLL-T-431b for Cork Tile. Since this requirement

and test may be of interest and the specification is no longer available,

the criterion and test method follow.

Fed. Spec. LLL-T-431b, 3.5, 4.3.7. Disintegration and Resistance

to boiling water

One specimen not less than 1 sq. in. in area from each test unit

shall be floted on the surface of boiling water for 3 hours. At

the end of the flotation period, the specimen shall be examined

for evidence of disintegration.

Resistance to static charge expresses a problem with carpet and

with special situations such as pedestal floors in computer rooms and

floors in areas where flammable or explosive materials are used or manufactured. Such areas include hospital operating rooms in which

flammable anesthetics are used. The requirement might be written as follows: "The floor covering shall be designed, built, and made of

materials such as to minimize electrical shock and sparks due to

static electricity, as developed from persons walking on the floor.

Carpet shall have a static level of less than 3 kilovolts by AATCC Test

Method 134-1969, Technical Manual, vol. 4<6, 1970, American Association

of Textile Chemists and Colorists".

Warmth to touch is a requirement of which everyone is aware but it

is difficult to define. It is probably significant only in areas such

as bathrooms where persons walk or stand in their bare feet. It is

proportional to the product of thermal conductivity and volumetric heat

capacity of the flooring.

Water resistance is a requirement for flooring sometimes expressed

as porosity; it was applied to seamless flooring chips in part 1. A

more generalized requirement is desirable. Water resistance may refer to

water absorption or water penetration. This might be resistance to

liquid water penetration or water vapor transmission, as in ASTM E-96.

Water resistance is a performance requirement, as it relates to water

spillage on an installed floor. See Resistance to boiling water in

this section. Requirements for water absorption and water resistance

appear in Federal Specification LLL-L-351b for LINOLEUM; BATTLESHIP but

requirements have been deleted. The water resistance requirement was

actually for water spotting of the finish. Since these requirements

and tests may be of interest and the specification is no longer available,

the criteria and test methods follow.

88
Fed. Spec. LLL-L-351b, 3.9, 4.4.9. Water absorption

Maximum water absorption in percent for 1/8 inch linoleum shall be

4 1/2 percent and for 3/16 inch linoleum, 3 1/2 percent. Two

specimens, each 6 inches by 3 inches, shall be cut from the sample,

the backing removed, and the rough surface buffed and finished with

No. 00 sandpaper or other suitable means until the average thickness

of 1/8 inch linoleum is approximately 0.09 inch and the thickness of

3/16 inch linoleum is 0.15 inch. Each specimen shall be weighed and

immersed in fresh tap water at 70-75° F. for 24 hours. The

specimens shall then be removed and the surfaces and edges dried

between blotting or filter paper and weighed before 2 minutes have

elapsed. The increase in weight in percent shall be calculated and

the average of the results on two specimens reported.

Fed. Spec. LLL-L-351b, 4.4.2. Finish (Water resistance)

A small portion of the surface shall be thoroughly cleaned by wiping

vigorously with a clean, dry cloth. Using a medicine dropper or glass rod, one drop of water shall be placed on the cleaned area. After 5 minutes, tap or shake off the water and again wipe the surface

with a clean, dry cloth. Unfinished linoleum shall be wetted,

marked, and smeared, while properly finished linoleum shall remain

unwetted and unmarked by this treatment.
INDEX

Page

Carpets and rugs 1-8, 13-18, 19-27, 31

35-37, 49-53, 56-59, 62-67,

69-73, 83-88

Competitive life-cost 87

Conditioning of samples for test 69-70

Federal Specifications 1-8 , 11-86 , 88-89

Materials requirements for floor coverings

for carpets and rugs 71-73

for monolithic surfacings or seamless flooring 78-83

for resilient floor coverings 73-78

Military Specifications , 1, 9-12

Monolithic surfacings or seamless flooring 1, 4, 6-13, 15-16, 18, 23;

34-35, 39, 63, 78-83

Organic coatings (See monolithic surfacings)

Physical requirements for floor coverings

Abrasion resistance 6, 9, 11, 13, 78, 83

Adherence of backing or cushioning 6 , 13-15

Adhesion to substrate 6 , 15-16 , 83

Adhesive strength, adhesion, bonding 9, 11

Aging 6, 9, 11, 16-17, 83

Air contamination control 86-87

Appearance 6, 9, 11, 17, 83

Application properties (Installation Properties) 6, 17-18, 79,

82, 83

Bleeding of tile 87

Bleed-through control 6 , 18 , 82

Bonding, bond strength (See adhesive strength) 9

Breaking strength 6, 19

Cleanability , 87

Color 6, 9, 11, 19-20, 78, 79

81, 82, 83

Colorfastness 6 , 20-21 , 83

Compressibility 6, 22

90
INDEX (continued)

Physical requirements (continued)

Compression set 6

Corrosion resistance 9

Curl resistance6

Defects control 6

Deflection 6

Density 9

Depth of depressed areas 6

Dielectric strength 6

Dimensional stability 7 Durability 87

Dusting control 7 Ease of repair

9

Electrical conductance, conductivity 7 Elongation 7 Finish 7 Fire resistance (See Flame resistance) 9

Flame resistance 7 Flexibility or Pliability 7 , 9 , 11

84-85

Page

22-23

11

23, 82

23-30, 83

30, 84

11

31, 84

31-32

32-34, 84

34-35, 82

11

9, 11, 35

35

35-36

11

36

3o-39,

Freedom of movement of wheeled vehicles, 86

Hardness, Film hardness 7, 9, 11, 39;

78

Heat resis tance 9 , 11

Impact resistance 7, 9, 11, 39-40, 82

Indentation resistance 7 , 9 , 11 , 40-46 , 85

Installation Properties (See Application Properites)

Keying 7 , 46

Levelness 87

Live load resistance 9 , 11

Moisture absorption (See Water Absorption) 9, 11

Moth repellency 7 , 46

91
INDEX (continued)

Page

Physical requirements (continued)

Nailability 9, 11

Noise reduction 87

Odorlessness 9 , 11

Porosity, Water resistance 9, 11

Repairability (See Ease of Repair)

Resilience (See also Indentation Resistance) 87

Resistance to boiling water or Disintegration 88

Resistance to chemicals, grease, oil, and

solvents 7 , 9 , 11 , 46-49 , 85-86

Resistance to f umigants 9

Resistance to insects 7 Resistance to larvae 8

Resistance to microorganisms 8

Resistance to mildew 8

Resistance to moisture and temperature changes 9

Resistance to stains 9

Resistance to static charge 88

Resistance to thermal shock 9

Resistance to ultraviolet radiation 9

Scratch resistance 8

Seam strength 8

Serviceability (See also Defects Control) 9

Shear strength 9

Shock resistance (to impact) ; (See also Impact

Resistance) 9

Shrinkage resistance 8, 9, 11, 51-52, 86

Size and tolerance control 8

Slip resistance 9

Sparking resistance 9

Spotting resistance 9

Squareness of tile 8

Surface texturing 8

92

11

49-50

50

9, 11, 50

50

11

11

11

11

51

51

11

11

11

52-55, 86

11

11

11

55-56

56
INDEX (continued)

Page

Physical requirements (continued)

Tensile strength 8, 56

Thermal conductivity 9 , 11

Thickness or Pile height 8, 56-62, 82, 86

Volatility control 8, 62-63

Warmth to touch 88

Water absorption (See also Moisture Absorption) 9, 11

Water resistance (See also Porosity) 8, 9, 12, 63, 82, 88-89

Wear (See also Abrasion Resistance) 8, 9, 63-64

Weight 8 , 9 , 12 , 64-65

Polyurethane coatings (See Monolithic Surfacings)

Resilient floor coverings 1-8, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 27-49,

53-56, 59-63, 67-70, 73-77

Asphalt tile 4-8, 23, 30-31, 39, 45, 49,

54-56, 62, 69, 70, 77

Asphaltic felt or bituminous sheet 4-8, 29-30, 38, 44, 49-49,

54, 61, 68-70, 76

Linoleum 4-8 , 13 , 15 , 29 , 35-36 , 38 , 44

46, 53, 60-61, 68, 70, 75-76

Rubber tile 4-8, 30-31, 54-56, 62, 69, 70,

77

Vinyl asbestos tile 4-8, 30-31, 45-46, 49, 54-56, 62-63, 69,

70, 77-78

Vinyl sheet floor coverings... 4-8, 13, 15, 17, 19, 27-28, 32-34, 37-38,

41-44, 46-48, 53-54, 59-60, 67-68, 70,

73-75

Vinyl tile 4-8, 30-31, 34, 45, 49, 54-56, 62, 69,

70, 77

Sampling and Inspection 66-69

Carpets and rugs 66-67

Resilient floor coverings 67-69

Seamless flooring (See Monolithic Surfacings)

Tests (under Physical Requirements)

Textile floor coverings (See Carpets and Rugs)

Vinyl content of resilient floor coverings, analysis for... 74

93

FORM NBS-114A (1-71) U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. I'UIU.K A riON OK Kl-.I'OK 1 NO. NBS TN-8222. Ciov 't A({ tss it N„.

4. Ill I.I-: AND sunn II. i: A Review of Federal and Military Specifications

for Floor Coverings

3. Kciipuiu's Atcission Ni)

5. I'uhlu anon Dat,' J^ril I97U

6, Pcrformnii; Organization (Ode

7. AU rilOR(S1 Winthrop C. Wolfe8. Pc-rforming CV^an. Report No.

9. PKRl-ORMINC; ORCiANlZATION NAMH AND ADI-JRKSS NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Projcct/Task/Work Unit No.

11. Contract /C'irant No.

12. Spiuisoring Org.uiization Name- and ( onipk-tc Address (Sired, City, State, ZIP)

Same as No. 9»

13. I ypc of Report Si l^criod

( (tvcrt-tlFinal

14. Sponsorini^ Accncy ( otU

15. .suppi.i-;mi-:ni ARY Nori;.s

16. AB.STRAC r (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) In this manual, which is organized so as to aid ready reference, requirements and

test methods in Federal and Military Specifications for flooring, or floor coverings

are combined, indexed and reviewed. The manual covers carpet, resilient flooring,

monolithic surfacings or seamless flooring, and polyurethane coatings related to seamless flooring. It also covers all serviceability requirements except those

relating to f lammability , fire safety and acoustical properties.

Physical and material requirements in Federal Specifications for floor coverings are considered in separate sections. Military Specifications for monolithic surfacings

and Federal Specifications for floor coverings and polyurethane coatings are summarized in comprehensive tables. Under each physical requirement, comments

indicate whether it is a quality control or a performance requirement. Each comment

is followed by a list of those Federal Specifications which include the requirement

and a brief description of the criteria and test methods in the specifications.

Comments on materials requirements relate to their adequacy and applicability to the product for which they were written. Finally, recommendations are made for

improvements in performance requirements which should be considered for inclusion

in future flooring and floor covering specifications.

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