Draft A-A-50531B 07.01.26.pdf

NOTE: This draft, dated 1 July 2026, prepared by United States Marine Corps, has not been approved and is subject to modification. DO NOT USE FOR ACQUISITION PURPOSES. (Project 8305-2026-005)

Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, and any other data that may improve this document should be sent to: Marine Corps Systems Command, 2200 Lester Street, Quantico, VA 22134 ATTN: SEAL-MA-STDS or emailed to USMC_STDZ@usmc.mil, with the subject line “Document Comment”.

Since contact information can change, you may want to verify the currency of this address information using ASSIST at https://assist.dla.mil.

FSC 8305

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

INCH-POUND

A-A-50531B

PROPOSED

SUPERSEDING

A-A-50531A October 8, 2021

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

CLOTH, POPLIN: POLYESTER AND COTTON (WATER REPELLENT)

The General Services Administration has authorized the use of this commercial item description by all federal agencies.

1. SCOPE. This commercial item description covers the requirements for a polyester and cotton, water repellent poplin cloth used on items intended for wear by military personnel of the Department of Defense.

2. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

2.1 Material description. The cloth shall be a blend of 65±3 percent polyester and 35±3 percent cotton. The blended yarns shall be spun into either a single or 2-ply yarn for the warp direction and a single yarn for the filling direction. The cloth shall be a plain weave. The cloth shall be treated with a water repellent treatment.

2.2 Color. The color of the finished cloth shall be as specified in the contract or purchase order (see 6.3) and shall meet the colorfastness requirements as specified in table I. The use of dyes and compounds containing elementary sulfur capable of oxidation to sulfuric acid is prohibited. The dyed cloth shall be free of labile sulfur when tested as specified in 2.2.1.

2.2.1 Visual shade matching. The color and appearance of the water repellent-treated material shall match the standard sample when viewed using AATCC EP9, Visual Assessment of Color Difference of Textiles, option C (see 6.7), with sources simulating artificial daylight D65 illuminant (see 6.7.1) with a color temperature of 6500±200 Kelvin (K) illumination of 100±20 foot candles, and shall be a good match to the standard sample under incandescent lamplight at 2856±200K.

2.3 Physical requirements. The water repellent finished cloth shall conform to the physical requirements specified in table I when tested in accordance with the methods cited in table I.

mailto:USMC_STDZ@usmc.mil https://assist.dla.mil/

DRAFT DATED 1 JULY 2026

TABLE I. Physical requirements.

Characteristic Requirement Test Method

Fiber content, percent Polyester 65±3

AATCC TM20A

Cotton 35±3

Ply Warp Single or 2-ply yarn Visual 1/ Filling Single yarn Visual 1/

Weave Plain Visual 1/ Weight, ounces per square yard 5.3 to 6.8 ASTM D3776/D3776M, option C Yarns per inch (minimum)

Warp 108

ASTM D3775

Filling 68 Air permeability, cubic feet per minute per square foot (maximum) 10 ASTM D737

Breaking strength, pounds (minimum) Warp 185

ASTM D5034

Filling 70

Tearing strength, pounds (minimum) Warp 5.0

ASTM D1424

Filling 2.0

Dimensional change (after 3 cycles), percent (maximum) Warp ±2.0

AATCC TM135 (1)(IV)(Aiii) 2/ Filling ±2.0

Colorfastness (minimum) Laundering (after 3 cycles) AATCC TM61 test 2A 3/, 4/

Color change and staining 3-4 Perspiration AATCC TM15 4/

Color change and staining 4 Crocking (wet and dry) 2.5 AATCC TM8 5/

Lightfastness (after 40 AFU or 170 kJ/[m2nm] at 420 nm) 4 AATCC TM16.3, option 3 6/ pH 5.0 to 8.5 AATCC TM81 Spray rating (minimum)

Initial 100, 100, 90 AATCC TM22

After 3 laundering cycles 70, 70, 70 AATCC TM135 (1)(IV)(Aiii) and AATCC

TM22 2/

TABLE I. Physical requirements – Continued.

Characteristic Requirement Test Method

Dynamic absorption, percent (maximum) Initial 18 AATCC TM70

After 3 launderings 18 AATCC TM135 (1)(IV)(Aii) and

AATCC TM70 2/

Hydrostatic pressure, centimeters (minimum) Initial 30 AATCC TM127

After 3 launderings 25 AATCC TM135 (1)(IV)(Aiii) and

AATCC TM127 2/

Resistance to organic liquid (minimum) 7/

Initial No wetting to N-Tetradecane AATCC TM118

After 3 launderings No wetting to N-Tetradecane

AATCC TM135 (1)(IV)(Aiii) and

AATCC TM118 2/

Labile sulfur “Free” 2.3.1 Toxicity 2.4 2.4.1

FOOTNOTES:

1/ One determination shall be made from each sample unit and the results reported as “pass” or “fail”.

2/ Specimens shall be subjected to three complete cycles (wash and dry) prior to determination of dimensional change, dynamic absorption, hydrostatic height, spray rating, and resistance to organic liquid after laundering.

3/ For the color transfer cloth evaluation, only the stain on the cotton fibers of the color transfer cloth shall be evaluated.

4/ Rated using AATCC EP1, Gray Scale for Color Change, and AATCC EP2, Gray Scale for Staining.

5/ Rated using AATCC EP8, 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale.

6/ Rated using AATCC EP1.

7/ See 6.6.

2.3.1 Presence of labile sulfur. In the determination of labile sulfur in textile materials with lead acetate, two

1.50±0.01-gram samples from each material submitted for evaluation shall be tested. Each of the two samples shall be cut into very small pieces and placed into separate test tubes. The samples shall be submersed in a stannous chloride solution that contains 100 grams of American Chemical Society (ACS) grade stannous chloride crystals in 100 milliliters of ACS grade hydrochloric acid (35 percent concentration) and 50 milliliters of distilled water. A filter paper wet out with a 5.0 percent lead acetate solution shall be placed over the top of the test tube. The lead acetate solution shall contain 5.0 grams of chemically pure (CP) reagent grade lead acetate and enough distilled water to make up a 100-milliliter solution; if the solution is not clear, a few drops (one at a time) of glacial acetic acid shall be added until the solution is clear. The test tube containing the textile sample, stannous chloride, and wet filter paper shall be heated over a low flame until the solution is boiling. The solution should not be heated for more than 15 seconds. A brown to black stain on the filter paper should be evaluated as follows:

a. Free – the filter paper shows no discoloration or staining of any kind.

b. Slight – the filter paper shows a light tan to light brown discoloration stain.

c. Moderate – the filter paper shows a dark brown discoloration stain.

d. Severe – the filter paper shows a black discoloration stain.

The rating shall be recorded. The results shall be recorded as “pass” or “fail”.

2.4 Toxicity. The finished cloth shall not present a health hazard and shall show compatibility with prolonged direct skin contact when tested as specified in 2.4.1. Chemicals recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as human carcinogens shall not be used. When specified (see 6.3), the contractor shall furnish information that certifies that the finished product is composed of materials that have been safely used commercially or provide sufficient toxicity data to show compatibility with prolonged, direct skin contact.

2.4.1 Toxicity assessment. The finished fabric shall not present a health hazard and shall show compatibility with prolonged direct skin contact with requirements as specified in 40 CFR § 798.2250, Dermal Toxicity, and 40 CFR § 798.4100, Dermal Sensitization. Chemicals recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as human carcinogens shall not be used. If toxicity testing is required (see 6.3), it should be conducted in accordance with OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 4, Test Nos. 404 and 406 (see 6.4). When this toxicity requirement can be demonstrated with historical use data, toxicity testing may not be required on the finishing treatments used.

2.5 Labels. Each roll of finished cloth shall be labeled or ticketed for fiber content in accordance with 16 CFR § 303, Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.

2.6 Workmanship. The finished cloth shall conform to the quality of product established by this document.

The occurrence of defects shall not exceed the contractor’s own quality assurance standards and the quality assurance standards defined by the technical data in the bid package.

3. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. Recycled, recovered, environmentally preferable, or biobased materials should be used to the maximum extent possible, provided that the material meets or exceeds the operational and maintenance requirements, and promotes economically advantageous life cycle costs.

4. PRODUCT CONFORMANCE PROVISIONS.

4.1 Product conformance. The finished cloth provided shall meet the salient characteristics of this commercial item description, conform to the producer’s own drawings, specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices, and be the same product offered for sale in the commercial marketplace. The government reserves the right to require proof of such conformance.

4.2 Market acceptability. The finished cloth must have been sold to the commercial market or the government.

4.3 Visual examination. The finished cloth shall be examined for the following defects as defined in ASTM D3990, Standard Terminology Relating to Fabric Defects:

a. Cloth – any spot or stain more than 1 inch in its longest dimension; any hole, cut, or tear; a missing end or pick; thick or thin areas; overall uncleanliness; a crease or hard crease; slubs, knots, slugs, or gout; and shade bar, streaks, or uneven dying. Water repellent treatment not uniform.

b. Label – label missing, incorrect, or illegible. Required information missing from the label.

c. Packaging – not packaged in accordance with the contract or purchase order (see 6.3).

4.4 Acceptance criteria. Acceptance criteria shall be as specified in the contract or purchase order (see 6.3).

5. PACKAGING. Preservation, packing, and marking shall be as specified in the contract or order.

6. NOTES.

6.1 Intended use. This cloth is intended to be used in items with a water-repellency requirement.

6.2 Source of documents.

6.2.1 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). AATCC test methods are available from www.aatcc.org or P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.

6.2.2 ASTM International. ASTM standards are available from www.astm.org or ASTM International, 100

Barr Harbor Dr., P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.

6.2.3 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The CFR is available from www.ecfr.gov or the Superintendent of

Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC 20401.

6.2.4 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). OECD Test Guidelines are available from www.oecd.org or OECD Environment Directorate, Environment, Health and Safety Division, 2 rue André-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France.

http://www.aatcc.org/ http://www.astm.org/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.oecd.org/

6.3 Ordering data. The contract or order should specify the following:

a. CID document number and revision.

b. Color required (see 2.2).

c. When required, information certifying that the finished product is composed of materials that have been safely used commercially or sufficient toxicity data showing compatibility with prolonged, direct skin contact (see 2.4).

d. When toxicity testing is required (see 2.4.1).

e. Product conformance provisions (see 4.1).

f. Packaging requirements (see 4.3.c and 5).

g. Acceptance criteria provisions (see 4.4).

6.4 Toxicity testing. OECD Test No. 404: Acute Dermal Irritation/Corrosion and OECD Test No. 406: Skin

Sensitization are suggested to adequately assess this requirement, but other methods may be used.

6.5 Certificate of compliance. The contracting activity may choose to accept a certificate of compliance for stated requirements.

6.6 PFAS and PFOS treatment considerations. Due to regulatory issues involving certain treatments, some testing may return lower than desired results until an alternative treatment can be developed or identified. This does not automatically waive the requirement, but requirements may be waived or additional latitude in results permitted on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the contracting authority.

6.7 Visual shade matching. In 2019, option A of AATCC EP9 was changed to option C. NOTE: In case of confusion, the viewing geometry should be such that the specimen plane and illumination source are parallel to each other and aligned so that the light flux is incident at the center of the specimen plane, which is set at a 35±5-degree angle relative to the horizontal. The observer will view the specimens at a 90-degree angle, relative to the plane of the specimens.

6.7.1 Use of D75 illuminant. The use of D75 illuminant with a color temperature of 7500±200 Kelvin (K) illumination of 100±20 foot candles in lieu of the specified D65 illuminant is permitted.

6.8 Key words.

All weather coat Belt

CONCLUDING MATERIAL

MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITY:

GSA – FAS

Custodians: Preparing Activity:

Army – GL Navy – MC Navy – MC (Project 8305-2026-005)

Review Activity:

DLA – CT