Overview
ISO 5086:1977 - "Textile floor coverings - Hand-knotted carpets - Sampling and selection of areas of test" is an ISO standard developed by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38 (Textiles). It defines a repeatable method for sampling hand-knotted carpets and selecting specific areas for physical testing and chemical analysis. The standard applies to most carpets in which knots are tied by finger or by hook and requires each carpet to be tested separately.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Sampling method and defined test-area selection for hand-knotted carpets intended for physical and chemical tests.
- Applicability: Carpets with knots tied by finger or hook; each carpet tested individually.
- Color-fastness sampling:
- Test each carpet separately.
- Remove adequate yarn quantities of each colour from the carpet backing using a suitable hook.
- Take yarns from different parts to ensure a representative sample.
- Do not remove more than one knot from the same place to minimize damage.
- Area selection by carpet size:
- ≤ 6 m²: Divide the carpet by its diagonals and take measurements in the four corner zones and the diagonal intersection - minimum of five measurements (see figure 1).
- > 6 m² and ≤ 14 m²: Divide into 12 equal rectangles and take measurements in the numbered zones - minimum of six measurements (see figure 2).
- > 14 m²: Divide into 20 equal rectangles; take measurements in numbered zones - minimum of nine measurements (see figure 3).
- Damage control: Remove no more than one knot per location to preserve carpet integrity.
Practical applications
ISO 5086:1977 supports consistent, representative sampling for:
- Quality control and laboratory testing of hand-knotted carpets (physical performance and chemical analysis).
- Color-fastness testing for dye performance and material compliance.
- Incoming inspection by manufacturers, importers, retailers, and testing laboratories.
- Forensic or failure-analysis sampling where representative yarn removal is required without undue damage.
Who uses it:
- Textile testing laboratories and quality assurance teams.
- Carpet manufacturers and exporters of hand-knotted rugs.
- Procurement and compliance officers in retail and distribution.
- Standards bodies and certification organizations assessing textile floor coverings.
Related standards
- This standard is part of the ISO textile standards portfolio developed by ISO/TC 38. For full context and complementary test methods (e.g., specific physical or chemical test procedures), consult the ISO catalogue or other ISO textile and carpet standards.
Keywords: ISO 5086:1977, hand-knotted carpets, sampling, carpet testing, colour-fastness, textile floor coverings, physical testing, chemical analysis, carpet sampling areas.