ISO 32100-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 32100:2018 — Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics — Physical and mechanical tests — Determination of flex resistance by the flexometer method. This International Standard specifies a laboratory test method (flexometer) to evaluate the flex resistance of coated textile substrates in the folded condition; the specimen appearance after a specified number of flex cycles (or after the flex number) is used as the measure of flex resistance.

Abstract

This document defines the principle, apparatus, specimen preparation, conditioning, test procedure and expression of results for the flexometer (folding endurance) test applied to rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics. It is applicable only to products that can be clamped in the specified test apparatus and for which the fold can be caused to travel along the specimen during testing. The standard includes normative requirements and an informative annex with clarifications.

General information

• Status: Published (current edition).
• Publication date: October 2018.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.40 (Textiles and textile products / coated fabrics).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2018).
• Number of pages: 9 (ISO paginated count).

Technical committee: ISO/TC 45 (Elastomers and rubber products), subcommittee SC 4 (relevant to coated fabrics).

Scope

Specifies a test method to determine flex resistance of rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics in the folded condition. The method applies only to specimens that can be clamped in the flexometer and where the fold can be caused to move back and forth along the specimen during testing. The standard describes sampling, number of specimens, conditioning, test cycles (flex number or specified cycle count), result expression and reporting requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle of the flexometer (folding endurance) test — use of a moving fold along the specimen and assessment by visual appearance after flex cycles or after reaching the flex number.
• Apparatus and clamps — requirements for the flexometer, stroke/angle and clamping to ensure reproducible folding action.
• Test specimen preparation — sampling, dimensions, number of specimens and positioning of the fold.
• Conditioning — pre-test conditioning of specimens under specified standard atmospheres (see referenced conditioning standards).
• Procedure — programming of cycles, criteria for stopping (flex number or specified cycle count), and handling during the test.
• Expression of results and test report — how to record appearance, compute the flex number or report results and necessary test metadata; includes an informative annex for clarifications.

These requirements are given in the standard’s main clauses (principle, apparatus, specimens, procedure, results, test report).

Typical use and users

Used by coated-fabric manufacturers, textile and coating laboratories, quality control and R&D teams, third‑party testing and certification labs, procurement/specification authors, and standards committees to assess folding-endurance performance of rubber- or plastics-coated textile products (e.g., tarpaulins, coated fabrics for upholstery, industrial covers, protective materials). Test houses use the method to generate repeatable performance data for product development, QC acceptance testing and comparative evaluations.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside ISO 32100:2018 include ISO 5402 (leather — flexometer method, comparable flexing test), ISO 2231 (standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics), and the adopted European designation EN ISO 32100:2018. National and sector-specific test methods (and equipment standards) may also be used for complementary or comparative testing.

Keywords

flexometer, folding endurance, flex resistance, coated fabrics, rubber-coated fabric, plastics-coated fabric, test method, conditioning, specimen, folding cycles, flex number, physical and mechanical tests.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 32100:2018 is an ISO test method that specifies how to determine the flex (folding) resistance of rubber‑ or plastics‑coated textile fabrics using a flexometer (folding endurance tester).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the principle of the flexometer test, apparatus requirements, specimen selection and preparation, conditioning, the test procedure (flex cycles or flex number), how to express results, and reporting requirements, plus an informative annex with clarifications. It applies only where the sample can be clamped and the fold can be moved along the specimen.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Coated-fabric manufacturers, textile and coating test laboratories, R&D and quality control personnel, certification and inspection bodies, and procurement/specification authors who need reproducible flexing performance data.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition is the current ISO edition published in October 2018 and replaced the 2010 edition. Users should check with ISO or their national standards body for any amendments or subsequent confirmations.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the suite of physical and mechanical test methods for coated textiles and is related to other flexing or conditioning standards (for example ISO 5402 for leather flex testing and ISO 2231 for conditioning atmospheres). It is produced under ISO/TC 45 (elastomers and related products) and adopted regionally as EN ISO where applicable.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Flex resistance, flexometer, folding endurance, coated fabric testing, rubber-coated fabric, plastics-coated fabric, specimen conditioning, flex cycles, flex number, test report.