AATCC TM115-2000e(2011)e
Test Method for Electrostatic Clinging of Fabrics: Fabric-to-Metal
Developed in 1965 by AATCC Commit-
tee RA32; revised 1969, 1973, 2000;
editorially revised 1974, 1976, 1977,
1978, 1991, 1999, 2008, 2019; reaf-
firmed 1977, 1980, 1989, 2005, 2011;
editorially revised and reaffirmed 1986,
1995.
1. Purpose and Scope
1.1 This test method evaluates the rela-
tive clinging tendency of certain fabrics
due to electrostatic charge generation.
The test integrates the effect of fabric
weight, stiffness, construction, surface
character, finish application and other
fabric parameters which affect the ten-
dency of fabrics to cling.
2. Principle
2.1 Clinging of positively or negatively
charged fabrics to the human body occurs
due to instantaneous induction of an
equal and opposite charge on the surface
of the body when the charged fabric is
brought close to it. A basic law of physics
states that oppositely charged materials
attract each other. A metal plate exhibits
a similar phenomenon of instantaneous
charge induction as would the human
body when placed in the field of a
charged material. Therefore, a metal plate
can be used to simulate the problems of
clinging observed between charged gar-
ments and the human body. Some indi-
viduals are more prone to electrostatic
clinging than others, and a given individ-
ual may be more prone at one time than at
another time. Therefore, fabric-to-metal
cling times cannot be related directly to
fabric-to-body clinging for different indi-
viduals.
2.2 In this test method, the time (td) is
measured for the charge on a fabric speci-
men to decay to a level where the electri-
cal attractive forces between the speci-
men and the metal plate are over-
balanced by the gravitational forces of
the specimen acting to pull the specimen
away from the plate (see 12.1).
3. Terminology
3.1 electrostatic clinging, n.—adher-
ence of one substance to another caused
by an electrical charge on one or both
surfaces.
4. Safety Precautions
NOTE: These safety precautions are
AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2021
Copyright © 2020 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
for information purposes only. The pre-
cautions are ancillary to the testing proce-
dures and are not intended to be all inclu-
sive. It is the user’s responsibility to use
safe and proper techniques in handling
materials in this test method. Manufac-
turers MUST be consulted for specific
details such as material safety data sheets
and other manufacturer’s recommenda-
tions. All OSHA standards and rules
must also be consulted and followed.
4.1 Good laboratory practices should
be followed. Wear safety glasses in all
laboratory areas.
4.2 The radioactive bar emits alpha ra-
diation which is externally harmless to
the human body. The radioactive isotope
polonium 210 is toxic and precaution
should be exercised to prevent ingestion
or inhalation of the solid material. Do not
take the radioactive bar apart or touch the
radioactive strip under the grid. If the
strip is touched or handled, wash hands
thoroughly at once. Return the device to
the manufacturer when it loses its effec-
tiveness as a static eliminator for reacti-
vation when tested in accordance with
12.3.1 or for disposal if use is to be dis-
continued. Do not discard as scrap.
5. Uses and Limitations
5.1 This test method is not intended for
use in determining the suitability of fab-
ric for use in hazardous areas where the
electrostatic generation of sparks might
result in fires or explosions.
5.1.1 Certain fabrics, particularly those
of heavy construction, which do not ex-
hibit a clinging propensity by this method
might cling under some conditions of
use.
5.1.2 This test method is primarily use-
ful for determining clinging properties of
lightweight apparel fabrics, such as those
intended for use in lingerie.
6. Apparatus and Materials (see 12.2)
6.1 Test plates.
6.1.1 Standard Test Plate—A test plate
(see 12.3) is made by bending 100 × 450
mm strips of 18 gauge Type 304 stainless
steel across the width 150 mm from one
end so that an included angle of 1.22 ±
0.04 RAD is formed between the 100 ×
150 mm base and the 100 × 300 upright
plate. The grain of the finish should be
such that the 450 direction of the test
plate corresponds to the length or grain
direction of the stainless steel sheets from
which they are made. The face of the 100
× 300 plate must have a No. 4 finish (see
12.3.1) on the included angle side, and
should be kept clean and smooth at all
times. A fine line is indented across the
test plate surface 230 mm from the top of
the plate and this is used to position the
lower edge of the specimen (see 12.3).
6.1.2 Variable Angle Experimental
Test Plate—The sensitivity of this test de-
pends on the included angle of the metal
plate and can be diminished by decreas-
ing the included angle or vice versa. A
more versatile version of the test plate,
suitable for research work, which allows
facile change of the sensitivity, uses a 25
× 100 × 100 mm aluminum base with
several slots machined into the base at
different angles (e.g., 0.017, 0.087, 0.175,
0.35, 0.52, 0.70, 0.87, 1.05 RAD) from
the vertical axis into which a 100 × 360
mm stainless steel plate fits.
6.2 Grounding Plate—This is a 200 ×
360 mm, flat, 18 gauge Type 304 stain-
less steel plate, attached to a ground, such
as a water pipe, with wire (e.g., No. 18
stranded, plastic-covered electronic
wire). One such grounding plate is re-
quired for each test plate.
6.3 Radioactive bar (see 12.4).
6.4 Rubbing blocks, white pine, ap-
prox. 20 × 50 × 150 mm adjusted to
weigh 65 g and with strips of 20 mm
wide, double-faced tape on the ends of
each block to attach ends of the rubbing
fabric.
6.5 Polyurethane foam, 25 × 100 × 300
mm non-rigid, having a density of 21 kg/m3
and an ILD (Identification Load Deflec-
tion) firmness of 6.8 kg when tested
(see 12.3) as directed in ASTM D3574.
6.6 Clamps, metal (e.g., No. 3 Bulldog
Clamp or Di-acro Toggle Clamp, see
12.4), with 70 mm edges covered with 20
mm electrical tape to prevent scratching
of the surface of the test plates.
6.7 Stopwatch, with 0.01 min or one of
equivalent precision marked in other
units.
6.8 Forceps or tweezers, non-conduct-
ing, ivory-tipped, forceps used with ana-
lytical balances.
6.9 Oven, forced-draft type, capable of
maintaining a temperature of 105 ± 2°C
(221 ± 5°F).
6.10 Conditioning chamber, capable of
providing relative humidity control of
40 ± 2% and temperature at 24 ± 1°C (75
± 2°F) with circulating air.
6.10.1 If tests are to be conducted at
relative humidities or temperatures other
than 40 ± 2% RH and 24 ± 1°C (75 ±
2°F), the conditioning test chamber should
AATCC TM115-2000e(2011)e 207
be capable of providing the necessary
range of test conditions (such as 20-65 ±
2% RH and from 10-30 ± 1°C [50-86 ±
2°F).
6.11 Rubbing fabrics.
6.11.1 Nylon rubbing fabric—100%
spun nylon 6,6.
6.11.2 Polyester rubbing fabric— 100%
spun polyester.
6.12 Fabric iron, domestic hand type,
with appropriate settings (see Table I).
6.13 Cleaning solvent: halogenated hy-
drocarbon metal-cleaning solvent herein-
after called HH Solvent.
7. Test and Rubbing Specimens
7.1 Test fabrics—Twelve 75 × 230 mm
test specimens are required. Using die or
scissors, cut six specimens with the
longer dimension parallel to the warp, or
wale, direction and six with the longer di-
mension parallel to the fill, or course, di-
rection. (Do not cut fabric specimens
with a hot soldering iron or heated wire
since the edges can cause localized static
problems due to heat degradation of the
fibers and antistatic agents.)
7.2 Rubbing fabrics—Both nylon and
polyester rubbing fabrics are required.
Using die or scissors, cut six nylon and
six polyester rubbing fabrics, each 75 ×
230 mm, with the longer dimension par-
allel to the warp, or wale, direction of the
fabric.
7.3 Do not contaminate the test speci-
mens or the rubbing fabric by unnecessary
handling or by allowing them to come in
contact with transferable materials.
7.4 If either the test or rubbing fabric
specimens do not lay completely flat,
press them free of creases or wrinkles
with a dry, clean iron at the appropriate
setting as directed in Table I. Do not use
test specimens with curled edges.
8. Conditioning
8.1 Since equilibration of a test speci-
men from the dry versus the wet condi-
tion relative to the humidity of the test
chamber may show hysteresis, precondi-
tion the specimens from the dry side rela-
tive to the humidity in the test chamber.
To accomplish this, place the test and
rubbing specimens in the forced-draft
oven at 105 ± 2°C (221 ± 4°F) for 30
min. Transfer them immediately to the
controlled humidity chamber allowing no
more than 15 s for the transfer.
8.2 Condition and test the test and
rubbing specimens at 40 ± 2% RH and 24
± 1°C (75 ± 2°F) in the controlled humid-
ity chamber for at least 16 h. If the test is
conducted at lower humidities (such as
30 ± 2% or at 20 ± 2%), or at higher hu-
midities (such as 65 ± 2%), keep the tem-
perature at 24 ± 1°C (75 ± 2°F) for stan-
dard testing. If other temperature
conditions are used for nonstandard test-
208 AATCC TM115-2000e(2011)e
Copyright © 2020 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Table I—Safe Ironing Temperature Guide
Class 0
Class I
Below 121°C 121-135°C
Modacrylic 93-121°C Acetate
Olefin (Polyethylene) 79-121°C Olefin (Poly-
propylene)
Rubber 82-93°C Silk
Saran 66-93°C
Vinyon 54°C
ing, state the temperatures used in the re-
port. For any humidity or temperature
test conditions that are to be used, the test
and rubbing specimens should be condi-
tioned for at least 16 h (see 12.8).
9. Procedure
9.1 Clean the metal test plate before
testing every different lot of fabric. To
clean, swab with a facial tissue saturated
with HH Solvent (wear protective
gloves). Allow the plate to dry at least 5
min in the conditioning test chamber be-
fore using. Make sure that HH Solvent
does not accumulate in the conditioning
test chamber as a result of cleaning the
metal test plate. If the No. 4 finish on the
surface of the test plate is changed notice-
ably due to use, replace the test plate with
a new one.
9.2 Handle the fabric test specimens
and rubbing fabrics at only one marked
corner to minimize transfer of impurities
to the remainder of the fabric.
9.3 Adhere double-faced adhesive tape
around all four 20 mm thick sides of the
rubbing block. Completely discharge the
rubbing fabric on both sides with the ra-
dioactive bar (Caution, see 4.2). Place a
50 × 150 mm side of wood block on the
rubbing fabric in such a way that the 150
mm dimension of the block parallels the
230 mm dimension of the rubbing fabric
and the block is centered on the fabric.
Bring up the protruding edges of the fab-
ric so that they adhere tightly to the dou-
ble-faced tape on all four sides of the
rubbing block. Take care that the double-
faced tape does not extend to the area be-
tween the rubbing surface of fabric and
the block.
9.4 Grasp a test specimen at one corner
and allow it to hang free. Discharge both
sides of the test specimen using the radio-
active bar, holding the bar not over 25
mm away from the fabric as it moves up
or down (Caution, see Section 4 and Fig.
1, Step A). Fasten the test specimen at the
top of the long arm of the metal plate on
AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2021
Class IV
Class II Class III 204°C and
149-163°C 177-191°C Above
Nylon 6,6 Cotton
Acrylic Polyester Fluorocarbon
Azlon
Nylon 6 Glass
Hemp, Jute,
Ramie
Spandex Linen
Wool Rayon,
Viscose
Triacetate
(heatset)
the 1.22 RAD included angle side with a
metal bulldog or toggle clamp with the
face of the test specimen out. Position the
lower edge of the test specimen even with
the indented line on the metal plate.
9.5 Attach the metal grounding plate
with the wire to a suitable ground and
place it horizontally in the controlled hu-
midity chamber and lay the polyurethane
foam on top.
9.6 Place the metal test plate with at-
tached test specimen in a horizontal posi-
tion on the polyurethane foam in such a
way that the long arm of the plate com-
pletely rests on the polyurethane foam
with the short arm of the test plate closest
to the operator and pointing upward. The
clamp should extend over the edge of the
supporting foam so that the back of the
plate is completely supported.
9.7 Place the rubbing block with at-
tached rubbing fabric at the top of the
plate so that the long axis of the rubbing
fabric and the long axis of the test speci-
men are at right angles (see Fig. 1, Step
B). The side of the rubbing block that
does not expose the cut edge of the rub-
bing fabric should be down. Keep the test
plate and rubbing block perfectly flat on
their facing surfaces to ensure complete
contact between test and rubbing fabrics
during charge generation.
9.8 Place the middle fingers on the
back edge of the rubbing block and pull
the rubbing assembly the full length of
the test specimen (see Fig. 1, Step C).
Grasp the lock between the thumbs and
middle fingers at the ends of the block,
lift the assembly from the test specimen
and return the rubbing assembly to its
original position at the top of the test
specimen. Repeat this rubbing sequence
12 times at a cycle of approx. 1 rubbing
cycle per second. The total 12 rubbing cy-
cles should be completed in no more than
15 s. For constant rubbing pressure, take
care that the only downward pressure on
the test specimen comes from the weight
of the rubbing block and fabric.
9.9 Quickly place the assembly in an
upright position on a grounded plate.
Grasp the lower right corner of the test
specimen with the nonconducting twee-
zers (see Fig. 1, Step D), pull the
unclamped part of the test specimen com-
pletely away from the metal plate to a
point where the test specimen is posi-
tioned vertically for ± 0.5 s (see Fig. 1,
Step E), and then release the test speci-
men from the tweezers. Start the stop-
A
watch immediately (see Fig. 1, Step F).
9.10 After every 30 ± 2 s, grasp the
lower corner of the test specimen with
nonconducting tweezers, pull the test
specimen completely away from the
metal plate to a point where the test spec-
imen is positioned vertically for 1 ± 0.5 s,
and then release the test specimen from
the tweezers.
9.11 Record the time, to the nearest 0.1
min, for the fabric to decling of its own
accord (see Fig. 1, Step G). Disregard
any tendency for the test specimen to
continue clinging within 25 mm of the
bottom of the holding clamp.
9.11.1 If the time is greater than 10
min, discontinue the test and report td as
>10 min (greater than 10 min). In some
cases, a different “maximum cling time”
period may be chosen. In this case, report
the actual maximum cling time used for
the testing.
9.11.2 If the test specimen declings
almost completely but persists in clinging
in a small localized area in addition to the
area within 25 mm of the bottom of the
holding clamp, discard and test an addi-
tional specimen. If this condition is ob-
served in all test specimens, note and report
the condition without assigning cling time
(see 12.9).
9.12 Test three specimens in both warp
(or wale) and filling (or course) direc-
tions against both nylon and polyester
rubbing fabrics, using fresh test speci-
mens and fresh rubbing fabric surfaces
for each determination (see 12.10).
10. Report
10.1 Report the time (td) to the nearest
0.1 min required for a test specimen to
decling from the metal plate as specified
in 9.9 and 9.11.2. Report the three indi-
vidual values of tests in both warp (or
wale) and filling (or course) directions as
well as an average of each of the three
determinations, reporting separately the
times (td) obtained with both nylon and
polyester rubbing fabrics.
10.1.1 If the td value of two of a set of
three test specimens is less than the se-
lected maximum cling time selected from
9.11.1 but the td value of the third test
specimen is greater than the selected
maximum cling time, report the average
of the two determinations which are less

B C D

E F G

Fig. 1—Principal steps in conducting test.

AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2021 AATCC TM115-2000e(2011)e 209
Copyright © 2020 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
than the selected maximum cling time
and disregard the td value of the third test
specimen. Report that the third specimen
exceeded the maximum cling time.
10.1.2 If the td value of two of a set of
three test specimens is greater than the
selected maximum cling time, report the
td value as greater than the selected maxi-
mum cling time and disregard the td value
of the third test specimen.
10.2 Report the percent relative humid-
ity and the temperature at which the spec-
imens were tested.
11. Precision and Bias
11.1 Precision. Extensive interlabora-
tory evaluations run in 1955 on woven
fabrics indicated that, for the fabrics
tested, the 95% confidence limits of this
test are ± 0.5 min (see 12.1).
11.2 An interlaboratory test on tricot
fabrics was run in 1975 which involved
the following variables:
5 laboratories
4 fabrics
2 levels of laundering
2 fabric directions
2 relative humidities
2 types of nylon and 2 types of polyester
rubbing fabrics
Based on the results of this study, the 95%
confidence limits for the average decling
time of a set of three observations, none of
which exceeds the maximum cling time of
10 min, is ± 2.0 min for tests at 20% RH
and ± 1.7 min for tests at 40% RH.
Some of the fabrics tested did not cling
at all (0 min) while others clung more
than the maximum 10 min, at which point
testing is discontinued. In this interlabo-
ratory test, 576 different test conditions
were listed which involved 1,728 individ-
ual decling measurements. Of the 576
test conditions, 469 contain at least one 0
or 10 value. Only 109 contain no 0 or 10.
Any set of these replicates containing a 0
or 10 cannot give a valid estimate of the
210 AATCC TM115-2000e(2011)e
Copyright © 2020 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
experimental error (see 12.7).
11.3 Bias. Electrostatic clinging can be
defined only in terms of a test method.
There is no independent method for de-
termining the true value. As a means of
estimating this property, the method has
no known bias.
12. Notes and References
12.1 For details, see American Dyestuff Re-
porter, Vol. 56, 1967, pp345-350.
12.2 For potential equipment information
pertaining to this test method, please visit
the online AATCC Buyer’s Guide at www.
aatcc.org/bg. AATCC provides the possibility
of listing equipment and materials sold by its
Corporate members, but AATCC does not
qualify, or in any way approve, endorse or cer-
tify that any of the listed equipment or
materials meets the requirements in its test
methods.
12.3 Available from AATCC, P.O. Box
12215, Research Triangle Park NC 27709; tel:
+1.919.549.8141; fax: +1.919.549.8933; e-mail:
ordering@aatcc.org; web site: www.aatcc.org.
12.3.1 The specified No. 4 finish on the
standard test plate shall be as specified in the
ASTM Metals Handbook, Vol. 2, 8th Edition,
1964, p599, which states: “Following initial
grinding with coarser abrasives, sheets are fi-
nally finished with lubricated 120-150 mesh
abrasive belts.” The resultant No. 4 finish sur-
face roughness expressed in micro-inches is
45 maximum.
12.4 Since the polonium in this radioactive
element has a limited half life (approx. 6
months), the radioactive bar must be checked
periodically to be sure that it is sufficiently ac-
tive for complete removal of charge. The ra-
dioactive bar may be checked by testing a
specimen known to exhibit a cling time of at
least 10 min when tested as directed in Section
6. A jersey stitch nonantistatic heatset 40
denier nylon tricot fabric free of finish or
scoured and in the range of 50-100 g/m2 is
satisfactory for this purpose. The fabric
should be charged as directed and then deion-
ized with the radioactive bar. If the test speci-
men shows zero cling time, the radioactive bar
is sufficiently active for complete removal of
charge.
AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2021
12.5 The clinging behavior by this method
of test of clean, finish-free 100% cotton fab-
rics can be used as a reference point for anti-
static behavior of test fabrics of similar
construction and weights. Garments made
from such clean, finish-free 100% cotton fab-
rics are generally considered to be free of
clinging problems under use conditions.
12.6 Gayler, J., R. E. Wiggins, and J. B.
Arthur, Department of Textile Technology,
School of Textiles, North Carolina State Uni-
versity, “Static Electricity Generation, Mea-
surement, and Its Effect on Textiles,” May
1965, pp11-12.
12.7 The statistical analyses and related
data are on file at AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Re-
search Triangle Park NC 27709; tel: +1.919.
549.8141; fax: +1.919.549.8933; e-mail:
ordering@aatcc.org; web site: www.aatcc.org.
12.8 At a given temperature, accumulation
of static electricity generally is greater the
lower the relative humidity (and vice versa).
For example, fabrics which show a low degree
of static accumulation at 40% RH and 24°C
(75°F) may exhibit severe static accumulation
at 25% RH and 24°C (75°F) while fabrics
which exhibit static problems at 40% RH and
24°C (75°F) may exhibit a low degree of static
accumulation at 65% RH and 24°C (75°F).
The relationship between the tendency for
static accumulation and relative humidity var-
ies with the specific antistatic agent, fiber, fab-
ric construction, surface charger, etc.
Therefore, although 40% RH and 24°C (75°F)
are the standard conditions for the test, signifi-
cant information as to the probable antistatic
performance properties of a fabric may require
that tests be run also at a lower relative humid-
ity, such as 20%, and 24°C (75°F), an atmo-
spheric condition not unusual in modern
heated and air conditioned buildings. Com-
plete evaluation may also require tests at the
upper level of 65% RH and 24°C (75°F).
12.9 Clinging in a small localized area can
be indicative of the presence of foreign mate-
rial or some irregularity and may not be char-
acteristic of the clinging properties of the
fabric lot from which the test specimens were
taken.
12.10 Since several determinations some-
times can be run concurrently, time can be
saved by having several test plates and
grounding plates available.