ENGINEERING MATERIAL SPECIFICATION

PERFORMANCE, CARPET, FLOOR AND TRIM WSS-M8P16-B

1. SCOPE

The materials defined by this specification are automotive quality carpet assemblies, for floor, door trim,
seat backs in exposed load compartment applications and exposed load floors whether molded or
otherwise fabricated.

2. APPLICATION

This specification was released originally for passenger compartment floor coverings and other
automotive trim applications.

2.1 LIMITATIONS

The use of non woven carpets is not applicable to first row seat backs (full covering) but may be
used in the toe kick area or with caution on second and third row seats. Potential concerns may
arise with fiber snagging and pilling. Use only in areas with limited customer interactions.

Vacuumability of non-wovens is difficult due to the construction, pet hair, debris can become
entrapped in the loops of the non woven construction. Vacuumability can be significantly
improved by switching to a tufted product.

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 APPROVED SOURCES

This specification is performance based and does not have approved sources.

3.2 CONDITIONING AND TEST CONDITIONS

All test values are based on material conditioned for not less than 24 h prior to testing in a
controlled environment of 23 +/- 2 °C and 50 +/- 5% relative humidity. Testing of the material
should occur in the conditioning environment or soon after removal.

3.3 PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

3.3.1 In addition to the requirements listed herein, the individual carpet assembly components
shall meet all the requirements of the applicable material specifications for the carpet,
padding, adhesive, barrier, or trim application as well as any functional/SDS
requirements as outlined by Engineering. Material specification requirements are to be
used for initial qualification of materials.

3.3.2 Insulation materials shall meet the requirements of WSS-M99P32-D1/latest. Mold in

Color plastic components shall meet the requirements of WSS-M15P4-G/latest. Toe
pads/foot rest covers shall meet the requirements of WSS-M15P37-C1/latest.

3.4 SAMPLE SELECTION

See Table 1 and 2 for sample size and testing requirements. When production test specimens
are taken from an area in the carpet with padding, the padding should be stripped away as much
Date Action Revisions Rev. 3
2017 12 14 Revised See Summary of Revisions L. Sinclair, NA
2016 07 08 Revised See Summary of Revisions L. Sinclair, NA
2010 07 16 Activated J. Williams, EU, L. Sinclair, NA
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as possible before evaluation, unless otherwise specified. For floor carpet applications, test
specimens for strength and abrasion properties shall be taken from molded or stressed areas of
the carpet assembly, i.e. the front footwell unless otherwise specified. The roll stock will be
reviewed for initial approval. Final approval will be granted on a program by program basis on
the molded product once the specification testing is reviewed and signed off on by Materials
Engineering.

3.5 APPEARANCE

The color, pattern, and finish shall match the approved Design Center master sample.

3.6 WEIGHT
(FLTM BN 106-01)

The weight shall be as specified in the individual material specification and Floor Carpet
Construction Supplement. The weight per square meter is applicable to rollstock carpet. For
tufted carpets the supplier shall calculate the total fiber weight after subtracting the actual weight
of the primary backing for each batch and shall not use the nominal value.

3.7 COMPOSITION AND CONSTRUCTION

Shall be as specified on the Material Specification. The Floor Carpet Supplement Form shall be
completed and submitted to Materials Engineering with the construction package.

Backcoating: The backcoating shall form a continuous and uniform coating over the back of the
carpet so that all pile fibers are covered. Also, the backcoat shall show no evidence of cracking
or crumbling during any of the evaluations required within the specification and during normal
field conditions. The backcoat shall thoroughly saturate the base of the pile fiber bundles to
ensure adequate fiber lock. Penetration of the backcoat through to the face of the carpet shall
be controlled to provide the required resistance to abrasion and fiber loss, but backcoat shall not
be visible on the face of the pile fiber.

If the carpet does not have a back coating it shall be a fused backed carpet.

Adhesion: The carpet material and substrate shall be properly bonded together with the
backcoating and/or adhesive where necessary, to ensure that the various components of the
finished carpet assembly do not delaminate under normal handling and shipping operations.
Adhesion properties must meet requirements in WSS-M99P32-D1/latest.

Secondary Backing Fabrics/Heavy Layer (if applicable): The secondary fabric/heavy layer shall
be uniformly and continuously bonded across the entire carpet and shall be free of voids and
tears.

3.8 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

In addition to the following minimum requirements, production carpet assemblies must withstand
normal handling during shipping and installation, without tearing. For additional information refer
to Section 3.7.

3.8.1 Breaking Strength

(ASTM D 5034 Grab Method,
305 mm/minute jaw speed)
Floor Other Trim
Min Min
WMD 400 N 300 N
AMD 400 N 300 N

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3.8.2 Tear Strength (Trapezoid)

Dry Only
(ASTM D 5587, Option 1 (Multiple Peak Force Average))
Floor & Trim
WMD 90 N min
AMD 90 N min

3.8.3 Stretch and Set (for seat back applications only)

(SAE J855)

WMD & AMD Stretch 18% max

WMD & AMD Set 5% max

3.8.4 Resistance to Mildew

(7 days at 98 +/- 2% relative humidity and 38 +/- 2 °C,
Specimen size 100 x 100 +/- 2 mm)

Remove the part from the cabinet and evaluate (smell the sample) immediately. The
part shall exhibit no visible evidence of mildew growth and / or objectionable odor after
the 7 day exposure. In addition, part must not separate layers or show any other visual
deterioration.

3.8.5 Short Term Environmental Cycling Rating 4 min

(FLTM BO 040-01, Procedure A, AATCC
Evaluation Procedure 1 temperature per below) 2% max Shrinkage/
Expansion*

Floor components 80 °C
Exposed load floor and seat backs 90 °C

Note: For Construction Approval/New Manuaturing Location run evaluation on plaques

(210 x 297 mm).
*For construction approval only.

3.8.6 Long Term Environmental Cycling Rating 4 min

(FLTM BO 040-01, Procedure B, AATCC
Evaluation Procedure 1, temperature per below) 2% max Shrinkage/
Expansion*

Floor components 80 °C
Exposed load floor and seat backs 90 °C

Note: For Construction Approval/New Manuaturing Location run evaluation on plaques

(210 x 297 mm).
*For construction approval only

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3.9 WEAR PROPERTIES

3.9.1 Resistance to Abrasion

Samples shall be taken from the front footwell in the designated area (See photograph
in Appendix 3). No individual test results shall fall below the number of abrasion cycles
specified below.

3.9.1.1 Floor Carpet

(FLTM BN 108-02, 1000 g load, H-18 wheels)

Rolled Goods 2000 Cycles

Molded Product 1500 Cycles

3.9.1.2 Trim Applications

(FLTM BN 108-02, 500 g load, H-10 wheels)

Seat back, 1200 cycles

Exposed load floor areas

Door Panel /Side Walls 400 cycles

Tufted Carpets: There shall be no primary backing visible after abrasion testing, as
shown in Appendix 1.

Nonwoven Carpets: The carpet shall exhibit no visual evidence of wear through to the
foundation of the pile fibers in the abraded area. Failure criteria are shown in Appendix
1. No roping is allowed. See Figure 5 for example of roping. No other visual degradation
or deterioration of the carpet after testing is allowed.

3.9.2 Resistance To Snagging (non woven floor carpets only) 200 cycles
(FLTM BN 108-02, H-18 wheels, 500 g load)

Evaluate test specimen every 50 cycles, if fiber pullout occurs at any of the 50 cycle
increments testing should be stopped and considered a failure.

All other non woven components 50 cycles

No evidence of fiber pullout in excess of the minimum failure criteria shown in Appendix
2. No other visual degradation or deterioration of the carpet after testing is allowed.

3.9.3 Pile Tuft Pull Strength (Tufted carpets only)

(ASTM D1335)

3.9.3.1 Room Temperature 16 N min

3.9.3.2 Tuft Pull after 7 days at 80+/-2 °C

Pull at Room Temperature 10 N min

3.10 COMPOSITE TESTING

3.10.1 Short Term Environmental Cycling Rating 4 min

(FLTM BO 040-01, Procedure A, AATCC
Evaluation Procedure 1
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80 °C for floor components, 90 °C for

exposed load floor and seat backs)

3.10.2 Long Term Environmental Cycling Rating 4 min

(FLTM BO 040-01, Procedure B, AATCC
Evaluation Procedure 1
80 °C for floor components, 90 °C for
exposed load floor and seat backs)

3.10.3 Room Temperature Impact Resistance (Load Floors only)

(23 +/- 2 °C)

Rubber Ball
4.5 kg weight, 127 mm diameter
60 +/- 5, Durometer "A",

Test Method: Conduct this test with the trim assembly mounted on an actual or
simulated production support foundation using the approved retention methods. Drop
the rubber ball from the height specified below at the impact locations indicated on the
Engineering Drawing. (See Section 4.0 for rubber ball supplier contact information)

Drop Height
Load Floor 500 mm

The assembly shall show no evidence of cracking or breaking on the top or reverse side
and shall fully recover from indentation.

3.10.4 Adhesion of Cover Material to Substrate (when adhesively bonded to a rigid substrate)
(FLTM BN 151-05 speed 300 mm/minute.)

Original 10 N min

Cycled 7 N min
(Short Term Environmental Cycling para. 3.10.1)

Heat 7 N min
(Long Term Heat Exposure para. 3.10.2)

Test Method: The above method is to be employed for all dielectric, heat or adhesively
bonded materials. Individual bond lines less than 25 mm must also meet the above
minimum requirements when computed on a per mm basis.
Special bonded sections such as corrugated design, etc., as well as extra wide bonded
areas exhibiting low prorated bond strength values may be accepted provided they
have been approved by the Design and Release Engineering.

3.11 APPEARANCE PROPERTIES

3.11.1 Resistance to Interior Weathering

(FLTM BO 116-01, sample size 60 x 150 mm minimum
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1)

Floor Carpets and Trim Carpets used Rating 4 min

below the armrest, 225.6 kJ/m2

Trim Carpets used between the beltline Rating 4 min

and armrest, 601.6 kJ/m2
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Exposed Load Floor Carpets, 977.6 kJ/m2 Rating 4 min

3.11.2 Fiber Deterioration after UV Exposure

Floor Carpet: FLTM BN 108-02, 1000 g load,H-18 wheels 1200 cycles

Trim applications: FLTM BN 108-02, 500 g load H-10 wheels

Seat Back, Exposed load floor 1000 cycles

Door Panel, Side walls 350 cycles

No deterioration of fibers/yarns/backing after testing to the applicable exposure levels in

section 3.11.1 on molded production components. See Appendix 1 for failure criteria.

3.11.3 Resistance to Crocking

(FLTM BN 107-01,
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 2)

Dry Rating 4 min

Wet Rating 4 min

3.11.4 Soiling and Cleanability Rating 4 min.

(FLTM BN 112-08,
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 2)

3.12 ODOR
(FLTM BO 131-03)

Test sample preparation:

For parts with any back side adhesively attached items (i.e. felt, flock, tape, hook and loop,
foam, etc.) test samples should be cut from areas that include the largest amount of each
attached item.

Condition 1 Rating 3 max

Condition 2 Rating 3 max
Condition 3 Rating 3 max

3.13 FOGGING
(SAE J1756, 3 h at 100 °C heating, 21 °C cooling
plate, post test conditioning 16 h)

Fog Number 70 min

Formation of clear film, droplets or crystals is cause for rejection

Test sample preparation:

For parts with any back side adhesively attached items (i.e. felt, flock, tape, hook and loop,
foam, etc.) test samples should be cut from areas that include the largest amount of each
attached item.

For shipping, all materials or parts shall be sampled immediately after manufacture, then
bagged in a zipper- or slide-sealed polyethylene (PE) bag, PE-coated aluminum bag or wrapped
in aluminum foil prior to bagging. Test specimens shall be cut, then stored in a clean, open
environment for 14-28 days. After 14-28 days of air exposure, the specimens shall be tested
immediately or re-bagged until testing can be performed. Bagged materials or parts must be
labelled on the outside of the bag with the following information, and included in the test report:

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supplier, contact information, product code/trade name or part number, manufacturing location,
date of manufacture, shipping date, start and end dates of conditioning period and test date.

3.14 FLAMMABILITY
(ISO 3795)

Burn Rate 100mm/minute max

4. GENERAL INFORMATION
This information given below is provided for clarification and assistance in meeting the requirements of
this specification. Contact gmfs@ford.com for questions concerning Engineering Material Specifications.

4.1 APPROVAL OF MATERIALS

Suppliers desiring approval of their materials shall first obtain an expression of interest from
Purchasing, Design or Product Development, and Materials Engineering. The supplier shall
submit a completed copy of their laboratory test reports, signed by a qualified and authorized
representative of the test facility, demonstrating full compliance with all the requirements of
the Material Specification. Tested material samples must be available for review upon request
and kept for a minimum of one year. Upon request, the supplier will review the associated
quality control documents (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, Control Plans,
Certification testing) with Ford.

4.2 SUPPLIER'S ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY

All materials must be equivalent in all characteristics to the material upon which approval was
originally granted.

Prior to making any changes to the material originally approved, whether or not such changes
affect the material's ability to meet the specification requirements, the supplier shall notify the
affected Supplier Technical Assistance (STA), Purchasing, and Materials Engineering
activities of the proposed changes (with reasons) by submission of a completed Suppliers
Request for Engineering Approval, SREA.

For parts and components using Ford Engineering Material Specifications, all samples tested
to the specifications for Design Verification (DV), Production Verification (PV) and Production
Part Approval Process (PPAP) sign off must be kept until Job 1.

4.3 RESTRICTED SUBSTANCE MANAGEMENT STANDARD

Substance restrictions imposed by regulations or Company direction applies to the materials
addressed by this document. The restrictions are identified in the Restricted Substance
Management Standard WSS-M99P9999-A1 which is updated yearly. It is the supplier’s
responsibility to comply with this standard on a continuing basis through IMDS and or GMAP
reporting.

Rubber Ball Contact Information

Dave Clow, dclow@schapmachines.com

Schap Specialty Machine, Inc
17309 Taft Street
Spring Lake, Mi 49456
Ph: (616)846-6530
www.schapmachine.com

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5. SUMMARY OF REVISIONS

2017 12 14
3.9.1, 3.9.2, 3.11.2 Replaced SAE J1530-A with FLTM BN 108-02 for Taber Abrasion, Snagging
3.12, 3.13, 3.14 added test sample preparation condition, fogging, and flammability.
3.8.3, 3.11.1, 3.11.3, 3.11.4 removed ISO 105-A02 evaluation method
3.11.1 added standard verbiage for sample size
3.8.5 added standard requirement for no layer separation or deterioration
Removed 3.8.3 for redundancy with 3.8.6 Long Term Environmental and corrected numbering
Added clarification to Figure 1 in Appendix 1
3.8.5, 3.8.6 Reworded requirements for clarity

2016 07 08
Updated standard paragraphs in section 3 and 4. And all numbering
2.1 added vacuumability statement
3.3.1 added material to be used for initial qualifications
3.3.2 updated reference specifications
3.5 update statement
3.7 added non backcoated carpet statement
3.8.5 added statement on smelling part directly after testing
3.8.6/7/3.10.1/2 moved to FLTM
3.9.11 removed 4000 cycle requirement. Throw in mats are now assumed to be standard
Moved sidewall to door panel requirements, added no roping and photo and removed that heel
pads can be added to prevent abrasion.
3.9.3 Changed tuft pull temperature from 90°C to 80°C.
3.10.3 Removed referenced to cold testing
3.10.4 updated to FLTM and changed to all adhesive bonded products to rigid substrates
3.11.2 moved sidewalls to door panel requirement level
3.13 Added conditioning paragraph
Table 1- clarified sample size for floor versus other materials, added statement on new
manufacturing location testing
Table 2 – Added Note and sample review statements.

2014 07 23
Removed heat shrinkage, water shrinkage and dimensional stability
Added long term cycling
Updated short term and long term test procedure to line up with other interior components
Corrected short term cycling and dimensionals
Updated the rubber ball contact
Table 1 now only rolled goods / non molded testing requirement
Added column for new face weight, new backing and new manufacturing location
Added table 2 for molded / composite testing (DV/PV)
Added sample size for heat aging and resistance to mildew test
Added peel adhesion bond strength
Removed SAE J369 from fogging as a test method.

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Table 1: Non Molded Testing

New Construction * New Face New
Fiber Weight New Color Manufacturing
Only** Only Location or New
(MCDCC)*** Backing Type****
3 3 3
3.6 Weight
3.7 Composition and 1 1
1 1
Construction
5 per condition 5 per condition 3 per condition
3.8.1 Breaking Strength
5 per condition 5 per condition 3 per condition
3.8.2 Tear Strength
3.8.3 Stretch and Set (for 3 per condition 3 per condition 3 per condition
seating applications only)
1 1

3.8.4 Mildew Resistance

3.8.5 Short Term Cycling 1 1 1
1 1 1
3.8.6 Long Term Cycling
Floor material only - 6 3 3
samples1 + run one
sample to failure
3.9.1 Resistance to Abrasion All other materials - 3
Floor material only - 6 3 3
3.9.2 Resistance to samples 1
Snagging All other materials - 3
3.9.3 Tuft Pull 3 per condition 3 per condition 3 per condition
3.11.1 Resistance to Fade 1 1
3.11.2 Fiber Deterioration 1 1
3.11.3 Resistance to
1 per condition 1 per condition
Crocking
3.11.4 Soiling and
1 per condition 1 per condition
Cleanability
3.12 Odor 1 per condition 1 per condition
3.13 Fogging (Plates) 3 1
3.14 Flammability 5 5 5
1 Samples shall come from 3 batches of non molded product. For some constructions molded samples

may be requested.
*Construction approval of a new face material will not be granted until assembly testing on a production
representative substrate and process has been tested. New construction also includes new denier or
new fiber supplier.
Note: For Color Properties surrogate data is acceptable for carryover fiber suppliers and colors.
** Indicates that the backing and denier / supplier has been approved to the given material specification.
Change in face fiber weight only.
*** New color only indicates that fiber supplier/denier/weight and construction are all the same as to what
was originally approved. Changes in the blend of the fiber for a new color will require a new construction
submit and full testing.
****New backing indicates that the face carpet construction has already been fully approved.
Tests italicized in the table must have samples reviewed and kept by Materials Engineering for
construction package approval. The new manufacturing location is for solution dyed product only.

The numbers in the table represent the number of specimens needed per sample.
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Table 2: Molded / Composite Testing

Component Component
(DV) (PV)*
3.6 Weight 3
3.7 Composition and 1
1
Construction
3.8.4 Stretch and Set 3 per condition 3 per condition
(Seating Only)
1
3.8.5 Mildew Resistance
3 specimens 3 specimens +
run 1 sample to
3.9.1 Resistance to Abrasion failure
3 specimens 3 specimens +
run 1 sample to
3.9.2 Resistance to Snagging failure
3.9.3 Tuft Pull 3 per condition
3.10.1 Short Term Cycling 1 1
3.10.2 Long Term Cycling 1 1
3.10.3 Impact Resistance 3
1
(Load Floors Only)
3.10.4 Bond StrengthBonded 3
3
to Rigid Substrates
3.12 Odor 1 per condition 1 per condition
3.13 Fogging (plates) 3 3
3.14 Flammability 5 5
NOTE: If the face material is not construction approved and on the ASL to a M3H
specification full WSS-M8P16-B testing is required for DV and PV.
*No surrogate test data is allowed for PV.
Tests italicized in Table 2 must be reviewed by Ford and both DV and PV

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Appendix 1: Abrasion Failure Criteria

Figure 1: Unacceptable Abrasion sample for tufted carpet. Any evidence of backing as identified in the
box is cause for failure.

Figure 2: Acceptable Abrasion sample for tufted carpet.

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Figure 3: Unacceptable Abrasion sample for non woven carpet. Any evidence of backing as identified in
the box is cause for failure.

Figure 4: Acceptable Abrasion sample for non woven carpet.

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Figure 5: Example of roping.

Figure 6: Extreme example of roping.

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Appendix 2: Snagging Failure Criteria

Figure 7: Unacceptable snagging sample. Any evidence of fiber pulling out or roping as identified above
is cause for failure.

Figure 8: Top view of unacceptable snagging.

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Figure 9: Acceptable Snagging sample.

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Appendix 3: Abrasion/Snagging Sample location (floor carpets)

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