8 Replace the existing text of paragraph 5.17.13 by the following:
"5.17.13 The materials when tested should meet the following requirements:
.1 The fabric should be marked in such a manner as to allow traceability of the fabric manufacturer and production lot number.
.2 Tests and performance criteria
.2.1 Test samples should be randomly selected, and test pieces cut from each sample as required by the relevant ISO standard or as otherwise prescribed for each individual test.
.2.2 Fabric used for manufacture of buoyancy tubes, inflatable supports for canopies and floors should meet the following requirements:
.2.2.1 Tensile strength
When tested by the method described in ISO 1421 the minimum tensile strength should be 2255 N/50 mm width in warp and weft directions. Maximum elongation, for the above should be 30% over a 200 mm gauge length, the elongation should be expressed as a percentage of the initial test length between the jaws. Where two layers of floor fabric are provided to form an inflatable floor the main floor should be as specified. The inner/outer layer may have a minimum tensile strength of 1470 N/50 mm width in warp and weft directions.
.2.2.2 Tear strength
When tested with the apparatus described in ISO 1421, the minimum tear strength should be 1030 N in warp and weft directions.
Where two layers of the floor fabric are provided to form an inflatable floor, the main floor should be as specified. The inner/outer layer may have a minimum tear strength of 735 N in warp and weft directions.
The preparation of the test specimens should be as follows:
.1 from the test sample cut 3 specimens each in warp and weft directions, 76 ± 1 mm wide and 400 mm long, with the length closely parallel to the warp and weft yarns. Space the selection across the full length and width of the sample. Make a 12.5 mm cut across the middle of each specimen at right angles to the length; and
.2 grip the specimen under test securely and evenly in the grips, which should be 200 mm apart so that the specimen length is closely in the direction of the pull. Operate the machine in accordance with ISO 1421. The maximum load sustained is recorded as the wound tear strength and the average for the 3 specimens is calculated.
.2.2.3 Surface receptiveness and adhesion of surface coating
.1 When tested by the method described in ISO 2411, the surface receptiveness on either face should not be less than 75 N/50 mm width.
.2 For dry surface coating adhesion, minimum of 75 N/50 mm is required.
.3 For wet surface coating adhesion, as described in 2.2.3.8, a minimum of 50 N/50 mm is required.
.4 Each coated face should be tested. The specimens should be made up as in ISO 2411 bonding line coated face to like coated face.
.5 The bonding used and the method of application should be agreed between the liferaft manufacturer and the finished fabric manufacturer, and should be the same as those used during the manufacture of the liferaft.
.6 On each test specimen, the bonding between the adhesive or weld and the coating should be initially measured to determine the surface receptivity.
.7 The adhesion of the coating to the base textile is then measured by cutting through one coating layer to initiate the required mode of separation.
.8 After testing in .4 for adhesion of coating to the base textile, the specimen should be immersed for 24 h in a 3% aqueous solution of sodium chloride at 20 ± 2°C. At the end of the immersion period the specimen should be removed from the solution and, while still wet, tested by the method specified in ISO 2411.
.2.2.4 Effects of ageing
.1 Folding test. When tested as prescribed below, there should be no cracks, separation of plies or brittleness visible when the samples are inspected under a magnification of 2.
.2 Tensile test. When tested as prescribed below, the tensile strength after ageing should be not less than 90% of the original tensile strength before ageing.
.3.1 Ultra-violet resistance. This test should be performed in accordance with the methods specified in ISO 4892-4:1994 - Open-flame carbon-arc lamps, as follows:
.1 Expose the conditioned samples to an enclosed carbon arc lamp without "Corex D" filters for 100 h. The carbons should be Copper Clad Sunshine Arc Type, No.22 for the upper pair and No.13 for the lower pair, or equivalent. Only the intended outside surface of the fabric should be exposed to the arc in the testing apparatus. The specimens should be exposed to water spray, with the apparatus operated so that the specimens are exposed to successive cycles of 102 min of light without spray and 18 min of light with spray. The black panel temperature should be 80+5°C. The total exposure time should be 100 h.
.2 Test the tensile strength of the material after exposure following the procedure in .2.2.1. The tensile strength should be not less than 90% of the original tensile strength before ageing.
.3 The exposed material should be bent, more heavily coated side out, around a 3.2 mm mandrel and examined visually for cracking. There should be no cracking.
.3.2 Alternatively, this test may be performed in accordance with the methods specified in ISO 4892-2 - Xenon Arc type testing. The specimens should be exposed under conditions specified below, using a controlled irradiance water cooled Xenon Arc apparatus for a total exposure time of 150 h.
Only the intended outside surface of the fabric should be exposed to the arc. The tensile strength of the material should be tested after exposure following the procedure in .2.2.1. The tensile strength should be not less than 90% of the original strength before ageing. The exposed material should be bent, with heavily coated side out around a 3.2 mm mandrel and each coated face examined visually for cracking. There should be no cracking during this examination.
The performance requirements specified in this subparagraph relate to the behaviour of individual specimens under particular conditions of test. As the spectrum of light from the Carbon Arc differs from that of the Xenon Arc, caution should be exercised in interpreting the test results of both methods.
.4 Three separate specimens should be tested as follows:
.1 dimensional stability;
.2 folding; and
.3 tensile strength.
For .1 and .2, cut from the test sample 4 specimens at least 100 mm square with the sides closely parallel to the warp and weft threads. Measure the dimensions of two specimens accurately for .1. For .3, cut two sets of specimens as in .2.2.1.
.5 When tested as prescribed below, the difference in dimensions of the sample before and after ageing should not differ by more than 2%.
.6 Ageing of specimens test procedure:
.1 Freely suspend one specimen each for .2.2.4.4.1 and .2.2.4.4.2, and one set of specimens for 2.2.4.4.3 in air for seven days at 70 ± 2°C. Suspend the other specimens above water in a loosely closed vessel for seven days at 70 ± 2°C.
.2 Remove the two measured specimens from the ageing oven. After 15 min at room temperature measure the dimensions and report the percentage changes in warp and weft directions.
.3 Remove the other two specimens. After 15 min at room temperature, fold the specimens consecutively in two directions parallel to the edges at right angles to each other so as to reduce the exposed area of each specimen to one quarter of its original size. Unfold and refold along the same creases but with each fold reversed in direction. After each folding, press the fold by rubbing fingers and thumb along it inspect the specimens for cracks separation of plies, stickiness or brittleness.
.4 For the tensile strength test remove the two sets of specimens from the ageing oven. Dry the wet aged specimens for 1 h in air at 70 ± 2°C, and then condition both sets for 24 h. Test in accordance with .2.2.1.
.2.2.5 Low temperature flexing
.1 When tested at a temperature no higher then -50°C by the method prescribed below, there should be no visible cracking of the sample when inspected under a magnification of 2. The test should be independently applied to each face of the coated fabric.
.2 The apparatus, preparation of test specimens and test procedure should be as described in ISO 4675, except that:
.1 when tested at the specified low temperature, no specimen should show cracks; and
.2 there should be 6 test specimens, 3 cut with the long side closely parallel to the warp and 3 cut with the long side closely parallel to the weft direction.
.2.2.6 Flex cracking
After the specimen has been conditioned by exposing the outer face to a 3% aqueous solution of sodium chloride for seven days at 20 ± 2°C, it should be tested as described in ISO 7854. After 200,000 flexings, no cracking or delamination should be visible when inspected under a magnification of 2.
.2.2.7 Porosity
When tested by the method prescribed below and with a pressure of 27.5 kPa applied and maintained beneath the fabric, there should be no signs of any leakage over a minimum period of 5 min.
.1 Test for porosity
A specimen of the fabric should be prepared and tested in accordance with ISO TR 6065 paragraph A.2.10.2.
.2.2.8 Oil resistance
.1 When tested by the method prescribed below, after exposing the outer surface to oil ASTM No. 1, for 2 h at 20 ± 2°C, there should be no separation of coating from textile and no residual tackiness when two exposed faces are pressed together. The coating should not smear when rubbed with a single pass of the finger.
.2 The test should be carried out not less than 16 h after vulcanisation or curing.
.3 The apparatus, preparation of specimens and test procedure should be in accordance with ISO TR 6065, paragraph A.2.5. Each coated face should be tested.
.2.2.9 Weft distortion
The weft distortion should be not more than the equivalent of 100 mm maximum over a fabric width of 1.5 m. A line should be drawn across the fabric at right angles to the selvedge. The weft distortion, skew and/or bow should be measured.
.2.2.10 Resistance to blocking
.1 When tested by the method prescribed below, the 100 g weight should not be lifted.
.2 The preparation of specimens and test procedure should be in accordance with ISO 5978 except that the temperature of test should be 70 ± 2°C and the duration of time under load should be seven days.
.2.2.11 Hydrolysis resistance for thermoplastic coated materials only
.1 When tested by the methods prescribed below, the following performance values should be achieved:
.2 The following test requirements should apply to fabrics or test specimens which have been stored for 12 weeks over water in a closed container at 93°C.
.3 The following test should be performed after drying the specimens for 1 h at 80 ± 2°C, and conditioning at 20 ± 2°C, 65% RH for 24 h
.4 The coating adhesion of the stored material specimen should be made up and tested in accordance with .2.2.3 after the requirements of .2.2.11.2 above have been carried out.
.5 The blocking resistance should be tested in accordance with .2.2.10.
.6 Two test samples 100 ± 2 mm square should be cut from the stored material. The samples should be folded as defined in .2.2.4.6.3 and examined for evidence of cracks, ply separation, stickiness or brittleness.
.2.2.12 Ozone resistance
.1 When tested by the method prescribed below, no cracks should be visible at a magnification of 5.
.2 The preparation of samples and test procedure should be in accordance with specification ISO 3011.
The following conditions should apply:
.2.3 Fabric used for the manufacture of outer canopies should meet the following requirements:
.2.3.1 Tensile strength
When tested by the method prescribed in .2.2.1, the minimum tensile strength should be 930N/50 mm of width in warp and weft directions.
.2.3.2 Tear strength
When tested by the method prescribed in .2.2.2, the minimum tear strength should be 490 N in warp and weft directions.
.2.3.3 Low temperature flexing
When tested at a temperature not higher than -30°C by the method prescribed in .2.2.5, there should be no visible cracking of the sample when inspected under a magnification of 2.
The test should be independently applied to each face of the coated fabric.
.2.3.4 Waterproofness
.1 When tested by the method prescribed below, no water should pass through the cone within 30 min. The coated fabric should not contain any material that is known to be injurious to a survivor drinking rainwater collected from the canopy.
Fabrics may be coated on one or both sides.
.2 The test specimen should be cut to a size of 300 mm x 300 mm and tested in accordance with the following procedure:
Fold the specimen twice at right angles and open it out into the form of a cone. Secure the cone with a paper clip and insert it into a suitable funnel supported on a flask. Pour 500 ml of water into the cone. Record any penetration of water to the outside of the cone after 30 min.
.2.3.5 Surface receptiveness and adhesion of surface coating
When tested by the method prescribed in .2.2.3, the surface receptiveness on either face should not be less than 25 N/50 mm width surface.
For coating adhesion a minimum of 25 N/50 mm is required.
.2.3.6 Colour
The liferaft canopy should be evaluated after the mooring out test in 5.5 or an equivalent method using artificial light to determine whether the coating is sufficiently colour fast.
.2.3.7 Effects of ageing
.1 Folding test. When tested by the method prescribed in .2.2.4, there should be no cracks, separation of plies or brittleness visible when the samples are inspected under a magnification of 2.
.2 Tensile test. When tested by the method prescribed in .2.2.4, at least 90% of the original tensile strength should be retained in both warp and weft directions.
.2.4 Fabric used for the manufacture of inner canopies should meet the following requirements:
.2.4.1 Tensile strength
When tested by the method prescribed in .2.2.1, the minimum tensile strength should be 100 N/50 mm of width in warp and weft directions.
.2.4.2 Porosity
As the inner canopy serves as a barrier to provide a static layer of air, it should either be of a close weave construction or have a low porosity to air."
