ISO 18080-4-2015 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 18080-4:2015 — Textiles — Test methods for evaluating the electrostatic propensity of fabrics — Part 4: Test method using horizontal mechanical friction. This part of ISO 18080 specifies a laboratory procedure that uses horizontal mechanical friction to generate and measure friction‑charged electrostatic potential on fabric specimens and to record the decay of that potential.

Abstract

ISO 18080-4:2015 defines a test method in which a rubbing fabric applies horizontal mechanical friction to a test specimen, after which the friction‑charged electrostatic potential and the time for that potential to decay are measured and recorded. The method is intended for fabrics able to withstand the frictional action; fabrics of low strength or loose construction may give invalid results, and the method may not be appropriate for assessing garments for personnel safety or for qualifying materials for protection of electrostatic‑sensitive devices. Edition 1 was published in December 2015 and the publication was confirmed in a 2021 systematic review.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed after systematic review).
• Publication date: 11 December 2015.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.30 (Textile fabrics).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2015).
• Number of pages: 10.

All bibliographic and lifecycle details as recorded by ISO.

Scope

Specifies a controlled laboratory procedure using horizontal mechanical friction to produce electrostatic charging on fabric specimens and to measure the peak (friction‑charged) electrostatic potential and its decay characteristics (e.g., decay time). Applicable to fabrics of various compositions and constructions that can withstand the prescribed friction; alternative ISO 18080 methods (parts 1–3) are referenced where fabrics cannot tolerate the horizontal friction. The method is not primarily intended for direct evaluation of garments with respect to personnel safety or for qualification of materials used to protect electrostatic‑sensitive devices.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle: generation of charge by horizontal mechanical rubbing and measurement of the resulting electrostatic potential and decay behaviour.
• Measured parameters: peak (friction‑charged) electrostatic potential and decay metrics (e.g., half‑decay time or other decay time constants).
• Apparatus essentials: controlled rubbing unit, specimen holder/table, electrostatic fieldmeter/collector electrode and recorder; earthing/grounding of conductive parts and calibration of instruments.
• Specimen preparation and conditioning: specified specimen dimensions, preconditioning in controlled temperature and relative humidity, and reporting of any cleaning or pretreatment.
• Test procedure: prescribed rubbing sequence, rubbing rate and contact conditions, then measurement of potential vs. time at a fixed geometry and distance.
• Reporting: apparatus identification, test atmosphere, specimen details, measured values, any deviations from the procedure and interpretation guidance.
• Limitations: not suitable for fabrics that will be damaged by the frictional action and not intended as a personnel‑safety or ESD‑protection qualification test without additional, application‑specific assessment.

Key technical elements summarized from the ISO text and accepted test practice for the ISO 18080 series.

Typical use and users

Used by textile test laboratories, quality and compliance teams at textile and apparel manufacturers, R&D groups developing antistatic or low‑charging fabrics, certification bodies and standards committees. Typical purposes include comparative evaluation of electrostatic propensity between fabrics, screening during product development, and material characterization for consumer or industrial textile applications.

Related standards

ISO 18080 is a multi‑part series; related parts include ISO 18080‑1 (corona charging), ISO 18080‑2 (rotary mechanical friction) and ISO 18080‑3 (manual friction). Other related standards and documents address electrostatic testing and control more broadly, for example ISO 24180 (electrostatic evaluation of yarns) and the IEC/TC 101 / IEC 61340 series covering electrostatics and ESD test methods and protection practices.

Keywords

electrostatic propensity; textiles; fabrics; horizontal mechanical friction; charge decay; electrostatic potential; ISO 18080; test method; textile testing; ESD (limitations).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18080-4:2015 is an international standard that specifies a laboratory test method using horizontal mechanical friction to evaluate the electrostatic propensity of fabric specimens by measuring friction‑charged potential and its decay.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the test principle, required apparatus, specimen conditioning and preparation, the rubbing and measurement procedure, reporting requirements and known limitations (for example, fabrics unable to withstand the frictional action or evaluation of garments for personnel safety).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile test laboratories, manufacturers (quality and R&D), product developers, certification bodies and standards committees involved in assessing and comparing the electrostatic behaviour of fabrics.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Edition 1 (published 11 December 2015) was confirmed in ISO’s 2021 review and remains current (confirmed status). Users should check ISO catalogues for any later revisions or amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 18080 is a multi‑part series of test methods for evaluating electrostatic propensity of fabrics; other parts include ISO 18080‑1, ‑2 and ‑3, which use alternative charging or friction methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: electrostatic propensity, friction charging, charge decay, electrostatic potential, textile testing, ISO 18080, horizontal mechanical friction.