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ISBN 978-0-626-27061-2
SANS 5486:2007
Edition 3

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Seam slippage

Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
© SABS

© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
The standard must reside on an internal network or intranet and may only be used for reference purposes in compliance with SABS
copyright rules. The standard or parts thereof may not be distributed in any form without permission from the SABS.

SANS 5486:2007
Edition 3

Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS SC 38D, Textile test
methods – Physical tests, in accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards Division, in
compliance with annex 3 of WTO/TBT agreement.

This standard was published in March 2007. This edition cancels and replaces the first revision
(SABS SM 486:1974).

Reaffirmed and reprinted in April 2012.

This standard will be reviewed every five years
and be reaffirmed, amended, revised or withdrawn.

© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
The standard must reside on an internal network or intranet and may only be used for reference purposes in compliance with SABS
copyright rules. The standard or parts thereof may not be distributed in any form without permission from the SABS.

SANS 5486:2007
Edition 3

Seam slippage

1 Scope
This standard specifies a method for the determination of seam slippage.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. All
normative documents are subject to revision and, since any reference to a normative document is
deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that document, parties to agreements based on
this document are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent editions of the
normative documents indicated below. Information on currently valid national and international
standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.

SANS 70, Conditioning of textiles and standard temperate atmosphere for determining their
physical and mechanical properties.

SANS 5323, Breaking strength of seams in textiles.

3 Apparatus
3.1 Rigid template, of the shape and dimensions shown in figure 1 of SANS 5323:2008.

3.2 Testing device, equipped with

a) means for applying gradually to the test specimen through the two jaws (see (b) below) the
tensile force specified in the relevant product specification, and for subsequently reducing the
force to 2,5 N (or as otherwise specified), and

b) two jaws, each with one face of size 25 mm × 25 mm and the other face of size at least
25 mm × 50 mm, the larger dimension being, in each case, at right angles to the direction of the
applied force.

4 Sampling and preparation of test specimens

4.1 Take a laboratory sample as specified in the relevant product specification. Where no
specification exists, take the laboratory sample as agreed upon between the test laboratory and the
manufacturer to ensure a reasonable and acceptable reliability at a reasonable and acceptable
confidence level.

© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
The standard must reside on an internal network or intranet and may only be used for reference purposes in compliance with SABS
copyright rules. The standard or parts thereof may not be distributed in any form without permission from the SABS.

SANS 5486:2007
Edition 3

4.2 Prepare six test specimens in accordance with SANS 5323, using the template (see 3.1) as
described in clause 5 of SANS 5323:2008.

4.3 Condition the test specimens in accordance with SANS 70.

5 Procedure
5.1 So adjust the testing device (see 3.2) that the free distance between the jaws at the start of the
test is 75 mm.

5.2 Clamp the conditioned test specimen symmetrically in the jaws with the longer dimension
parallel to, and the shorter dimension (and seam) at right angles to, the direction of application of
the force. Clamp the test specimen in such a way that the jaw-positioning marks on the fabric are
aligned with the appropriate edges of the jaws (see figure 2 of SANS 5323:2008) and the seam lies
midway between the jaws.

5.3 Apply the specified force for 2 min and then determine and record, to the nearest 1 mm or
0,5 mm (as specified in the relevant product specification), the maximum width of the seam
opening, measured (at right angles to the seam) from the edge of the fabric on one side of the seam
to the edge of the fabric on the other side (see figure 1).

5.4 Reduce the force to 2,5 N (or as otherwise specified) and again measure and record the
maximum width of the seam opening.

5.5 Repeat the steps in 5.1 to 5.4 (inclusive) on the remaining five test specimens.

6 Calculations
6.1 Calculate, and record as the seam slippage, the arithmetic mean of the results on the six test
specimens when under the specified force (see 5.3). Record also the value of that force.

6.2 Calculate and record the arithmetic mean of the results on the six test specimens when under
the reduced force, including the value of that force if other than 2,5 N.

Figure 1 — Seam opening

© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
The standard must reside on an internal network or intranet and may only be used for reference purposes in compliance with SABS
copyright rules. The standard or parts thereof may not be distributed in any form without permission from the SABS.

SANS 5486:2007
Edition 3

7 Test report
Report the following information:

a) all the data needed to identify the laboratory sample tested;

b) confirmation that the test was carried out in accordance with this standard;

c) if applicable, the sampling method used (see 4.1);

d) any deviation from this standard;

e) the specified force, in newtons, used (see 3.2(a) and 5.3);

f) the reduced force, in newtons, used (see 3.2(a) and 5.4);

g) the seam slippage, in millimetres, under the specified force (see 6.1); and

h) the seam slippage, in millimetres, under the reduced force (see 6.2).

© SABS

© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
© SABS. This non-printable standard is exclusively for approved users of the SABS’ Complete Collection of Standards and Related Documents.
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