Two rolls can look identical and perform very differently. A test report is how you know the coir you receive matches the coir you specified. Here is what a useful report should contain.
The properties that matter
- Mass per unit area, in grams per square metre. This confirms the grade.
- Tensile strength, in both directions (along and across the roll), in kN/m.
- Elongation at break, showing how far the fabric stretches before failing.
- Opening size, the size of the mesh openings.
The standards behind them
In India, mass per unit area and opening size are tested to IS 15868, and tensile strength to IS 13162 (Part 5). For blankets, tensile strength is often reported to ISO 10319. A report should name the standard used for every result.
Allowed tolerances
Indian standards for woven coir matting allow small variations from the nominal values. A Tamil Nadu Agricultural University handbook lists, for example:
| Property | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Mass per unit area | +7.5% / −5% |
| Length | +1% |
| Width up to 180 cm | ±13 mm |
| Width above 180 cm | ±25 mm |
So a 700 GSM roll that tests at 680 GSM is within tolerance; one that tests at 640 GSM is not.
Who should sign it
India’s Government e-Marketplace requires coir geotextiles supplied to government buyers to conform to IS 15869 and to carry a conformity test report from a laboratory accredited by NABL or an ILAC member body, or a central government laboratory. The report must state its number, date and the laboratory’s name and address. That is a good standard for any buyer to ask for.
Five questions for your supplier
- Is the report for this lot, or a general product report?
- Which laboratory tested it, and is it accredited?
- Which standard was used for each property?
- Were samples drawn at random from the lot?
- Can the report travel with the shipment?
We offer independent lot testing on request, with the report shipped alongside the goods. Ask us about testing.