Page 10 - Sioen Clothing Catalogue

In-house testing equipment

Sioen’s R&D centers and labs are fully equipped

with the latest testing equipment

Testing for tear and breaking strength, flame new EN 469:2005 standard for fire fighter clothing,
retardancy, chemical resistance, water column, and opens the way for Sioen to play a leading
colour fastness, ageing and so on are all performed role in fire retardant garments. Sioen has its own
in house, and Sioen can stand comparison with the ballistic laboratory including a shooting range and
world’s top research institutes in this area. The ability evaluation equipment.us ahead of the market. Along
to conduct flame tests (EN 367), and thermal radiation with creativity, know-how and quality, it is central to
tests (EN ISO 6942) in-house has led to Sioen being Sioen’s corporate culture.
one of the first European producers certified for the

XENON TEST
Determination of the colour fastness
Determination of the resistance of the
colour of textiles to the action of an
SURFACE CONDUCTIVITY
Determination of the surface conductivity artificial light source (Xenon-arc fading
lamp) representative of natural daylight.
of a antistatic fabric
The fabric is exposed to artificial light
This measuring principle is used on together with a set of Blue Wool Reference WASH TEST: HOME/
fabrics with surface conductive yarns or under controlled humidity. INDUSTRIAL WASH
homogenous conductive outside coating The colour fastness is evaluated by Determination of the washing durability
layers. comparing the change in colour of the of the garments
fabric with that of the Blue Wool Reference
used (grade 1 to 8). Requirement for HiVis Finished garments go through a specified
SEAM STRENGTH (ISO 13935- EN 20471 complying fabrics. number of washing cycles in order to
2)Determination of the strength of a determine washing durability.
seam/joint

The force necessary to break or open the
weakest seam in a garment by pulling at
both sides of the seam/joint. Expressed
in Newton and required in many
standards for protective garments.

MARTINDALE TEST PUNCTURE RESISTANCE (EN
TENSILE STRENGTH TEST Determination of the abrasion 863)
Determination of mechanical resistance Determination of mechanical
performance performance
In the Martindale test, wool or
The force necessary to tear a fabric, sandpaper is used to rub the fabric The puncture resistance is specified in
measured by the force to start or over and over again with considerable the standards for chemical protective
continue a tear in a fabric. Expressed pressure. Depending on how tough garments. The force necessary to push
in Newton. The trouser shaped test the fabric needs to be, this vigorous a pointed object through a chemical
method is prescribed in a lot of types of rubbing can continue non-stop for protective fabric. Expresses in Newton
protective garments. hours... or even days. and divided into 6 classes (from 5N up
to 250N)

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