In-house testing equipment

Sioen’s R&D centers and labs are fully equipped with the latest testing equipment

Testing for tear and breaking strength, flame retardancy, chemical resistance, water column, colour fastness, ageing and so on are all performed in house, and Sioen can stand comparison with the world’s top research institutes in this area. The ability to conduct flame tests (EN 367), and thermal radiation tests (EN ISO 6942) in-house has led to Sioen being one of the first European producers certified for the new EN 469:2005 standard for fire fighter clothing, and opens the way for Sioen to play a leading role in fire retardant garments. Sioen has its own ballistic laboratory including a shooting range and evaluation equipment.us ahead of the market. Along with creativity, know-how and quality, it is central to Sioen’s corporate culture.

Surface conductivity

Surface conductivity
Determination of the surface conductivity of an antistatic fabric

Determination of the surface conductivity of an antistatic fabric. This measuring principle is used on fabrics with surface conductive yarns or homogenous conductive outside coating layers.
Xenon test

Xenon test
Determination of the colour fastness

Determination of the resistance of the colour of textiles to the action of an artificial light source (Xenon-arc fading lamp) representative of natural daylight. The fabric is exposed to artificial light together with a set of Blue Wool Reference under controlled humidity. The colour fastness is evaluated by comparing the change in colour of the fabric with that of the Blue Wool Reference used (grade 1 to 8). Requirement for hi-vis EN 471 complying fabrics.
Wash test — home/industrial

Wash test — home/industrial
Determination of the washing durability of the garments

Finished garments go through a specified number of washing cycles in order to determine washing durability.
Tensile strength test

Tensile strength test
Determination of mechanical performance

The force necessary to tear a fabric, measured by the force to start or continue a tear in a fabric. Expressed in Newton. The trouser shaped test method is prescribed in a lot of types of protective garments.
Martindale test

Martindale test
Determination of the abrasion resistance

In the Martindale test, wool or sandpaper is used to rub the fabric over and over again with considerable pressure. Depending on how tough the fabric needs to be, this vigorous rubbing can continue non-stop for hours... or even days.
Puncture resistance (EN 863)

Puncture resistance (EN 863)
Determination of mechanical performance

The puncture resistance is specified in the standards for chemical protective garments. The force necessary to push a pointed object through a chemical protective fabric. Expresses in Newton and divided into 6 classes (from 5N up to 250N)
Spray test

Spray test
Determination of the water repellency

The evaluation of the test is visual appreciation of the surface of the fabric (number of absorption points on the surface).
Flame spread (ISO 15025)

Flame spread (ISO 15025)
Determination of the limited spread of flames

This test measures the limited spread of flames of vertically oriented textile fabrics (one or several layers), when subjected to a small defined flame. A defined flame from a specified burner is applied for 10 seconds to the surface or to the bottom edge.
Hydrostatic pressure test

Hydrostatic pressure test
Determination of resistance to water penetration

The standard specifies a hydrostatic pressure method for determining the resistance of fabrics to penetration by water. The highest class of water penetration resistance in this European Standard was deduced from several national norms which imposed a test pressure of 0.13 bar (1300mm).
Crumple flex test (EN ISO 7854:1997 method C)

Crumple flex test (EN ISO 7854:1997 method C)
Determination of repeated flexing resistance of waterproof material

Waterproof material used in rain garments (EN 343) must withstand 9000 cycles of repeated flexing without losing its waterproofness. This test is also a method to evaluate/compare different waterproof materials.
Heat transfer flame

Heat transfer flame
Determination of the heat transfer index

This standard defines a method to compare the Heat Transfer Index (HTI) of materials and material assemblies.
Heat transfer radiation

Heat transfer radiation
Determination of heat transfer radiation

The test EN ISO 6942 exposes the fabrics of the suit to an intense radiant heat (40 kW /m²). The threshold of pain (1st degree burns) is defined, as well as the moment that 2nd degree burns originate and the reaction time (the time between RHTI 12° and RHTI 24°).
Tear strength test

Tear strength test
Determination of mechanical performance

The force necessary to tear a fabric, measured by the force necessary to start or continue a tear in a fabric. Expressed in Newton. There are several possible test methods specified in various European and International Standards. In the standard for chemical protective garments the trapezoidal tear resistance is specified.
Ballyflex tester (ISO 7854/B)

Ballyflex tester (ISO 7854/B)
Determination of flex cracking resistance of waterproof material

The number of flexing cycles a waterproof, chemical protective fabric can withstand without showing damages, without losing its waterproof properties. Expressed in number of cycles and divided into 6 classes (from 1000 up to 100000 cycles).
Rain tower test (EN 14360)

Rain tower test (EN 14360)
Besides the selection of the materials and their water-resistant properties, the waterproofness of the seams, also the design of the garment has an important role.

At Sioen, the garments are put in a rain tower (build to EN 14360) on a manikin for one hour with a rainfall of 450 l/m2/h to detect possible weak points in the design. The manikin has a detection layer to visualize eventual leaking areas.