This practice covers the conditioning and testing of textiles in those instances where such conditioning is specified in a test method. Because prior exposure of textiles to high or low humidity may affect the equilibrium moisture pick-up, a procedure also is given for preconditioning the material when specified. The equipments to be used in the conditioning and testing of textiles shall include conditioning room or chamber, psychrometer ventilated by aspiration, preconditioning cabinet, room, or suitable container, balance, and multiple shelf conditioning rack. The conditioning room or chamber shall consist of equipment for maintaining the standard atmosphere for testing textiles throughout the room or chamber within the tolerances given and including facilities for circulating air over all surfaces of the exposed sample or specimen and equipment for recording the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the conditioning room or chamber. Samples or specimens requiring preconditioning shall be brought to a relatively low moisture content in a specified atmosphere. Samples or specimens requiring conditioning shall be brought to moisture equilibrium for testing in the standard atmosphere for testing textiles, or when required.

1.1 This practice covers the conditioning of textiles for testing in those instances where such conditioning is specified in a test method. Because prior exposure of textiles to high or low humidity may affect the equilibrium moisture pick-up, a procedure is also given for preconditioning the materials when specified.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as the standard. Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in parentheses. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.