TIÊU CHUÂN AATCC 2010 FULL

Volume 85, 2010
®
®

AATCC TECHNICAL MANUAL

AATCC takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in these test
methods and evaluation procedures. Users of the AATCC Technical Manual are expressly advised that determination of the
validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
The test methods in the AATCC Technical Manual are subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee
and must be reviewed every five years and, if not revised, either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for
revision of current methods in this technical manual or for additional methods and should be addressed to the AATCC Technical
Center. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may
attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing, you should make your views known to Christopher S.
Leonard, Technical Director, at the address shown below.
The AATCC Technical Manual is copyrighted by AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA. Individual
reprints (single or multiple copies) of any method may be obtained by contacting AATCC at the above address or tel: 919-549-3526;
fax: 919-549-8933, e-mail: , or online at www.aatcc.org.
AATCC License Agreement: The AATCC Technical Manual is copyrighted by the American Association of Textile Chemists and
Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, 1 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC USA. All rights reserved.
AATCC grants you a license as follows: The right to download an electronic file from this AATCC Technical Manual for storage
on one computer for purposes of viewing, and/or printing one copy of any AATCC Test Method for individual use for one year.
Neither the electronic file nor the hard copy print may be reproduced in any way. In addition, the electronic file may not be
distributed elsewhere over computer networks or otherwise. The hard copy print may only be distributed to other employees for
their internal use within your organization.
This AATCC Technical Manual is not for resale.

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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF TEXTILE CHEMISTS AND COLORISTS
P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA

Tel: 919/549-8141; Fax: 919/549-8933
Web Site: www.aatcc.org
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Library of Congress Catalog Number: 54-34349

Copyright Permission: AATCC has contracted with Copyright Clearance Center Inc. (CCC)
such that permission requests to photocopy or otherwise reproduce copyrighted material owned
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Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


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Table of Contents

Index of Test Methods
Numerical Listing............................................................... 5
Discontinued Listing .......................................................... 8
Alphabetical Listing ........................................................... 10
Topical Listing.................................................................... 13
Changes in Test Methods Since Last Edition ........................ 16
Test Methods .......................................................................... 18
Evaluation Procedures ........................................................... 366
Special Equipment and Materials .......................................... 391
Monographs
1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent and
Laundry Detergents in General ...................................... 393
2003 AATCC Standard Reference Liquid Laundry
Detergent......................................................................... 395
High Efficiency Washers in North America ...................... 397
Overview of Liquid Fabric Softeners used in
Home Laundering ........................................................... 399
Standardization of Hand Laundering for Fabrics and
Apparel ........................................................................... 400
Standardization of Home Laundry Test Conditions........... 401
Standard Laboratory Practice for Home Laundering
Fabrics Prior to Flammability Testing to
Differentiate Between Durable and Non-Durable
Finishes ........................................................................... 403
Nomenclature for Subjective Rating Processes ................. 404
A Summary of ASTM Methods for Interlaboratory
Testing............................................................................. 405
A Glossary of AATCC Standard Terminology...................... 407
AATCC Style Guide for Writing Test Methods..................... 416
Rules of Procedure for AATCC Test Method and

Technology Committees................................................. 423
AATCC Board of Directors and Administrative
Committees..................................................................... 430
Research Committees ............................................................ 435
Reference Committees........................................................... 443
AATCC Representatives on Committees of Other
Organizations.................................................................. 444
Joint Report ECR/TCR .......................................................... 445
Reports of Research Committees........................................... 449
Roster of Corporate Members................................................ 451

Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Preface

T

test methods in this edition of the TECHNICAL MANwere current as of May 2009. New methods that
have been added and other important changes made since the
last issue are summarized on page 16.
AATCC test methods are developed by research committees through extensive investigations and interlaboratory
comparisons, often covering several years of work. Simplicity, reproducibility, applicability, cost of performing the test
and the time required to perform the test are all important
considerations in each development. Before a method is
published in the TECHNICAL MANUAL, it must be approved
by the responsible research committee, reviewed by the Editorial Committee and approved by the Technical Committee on Research (TCR).
During the first three years, each new test method is reviewed annually, at which time, on recommendation of
the research committee and approval by TCR, it may be
reaffirmed, revised or withdrawn. After the first three

years, each method is reviewed at least once every five years
by the research committee, and following approval by TCR
may be reaffirmed, revised or withdrawn. The historical record
of these actions is published in a foreword to each method.
An important feature of all AATCC test methods is that
test results are numerically quantified as opposed to being
reported as pass-fail. Test results are the basis for describing
material or process characteristics that are not in themselves
intended to be performance specifications. AATCC policy
prohibits endorsement of such specifications.
HE

UAL

Each test method is designated by a number followed by a
date which indicates the year in which the method was issued, last revised or reaffirmed. The designation should be
quoted in full in referring to a particular method. If the
source of the method is not clear from the context of the reference, the designation should be preceded by AATCC, as
for example, AATCC Test Method 16-2004, or simply
AATCC 16-2004.
The AATCC Style Guide for Writing Test Methods (page
416) is the defining document used by research committees
in writing these methods. The Rules of Procedure for
AATCC Test Method and Technology Committees (page 423)
is the defining document for the organization and functioning of these research committees.
Prior to 1969 the TECHNICAL MANUAL contained all the
material published in three separate books—the TECHNICAL
MANUAL, the July issue of Textile Chemist and Colorist
(Buyer’s Guide), now AATCC Review, and the AATCC
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY. The present format for the TECHNICAL MANUAL has continued unchanged since 1969. Major

changes in layout of the TECHNICAL MANUAL were made in
1985 as follows: (1) indexes were grouped at the front of
the book; (2) test methods were arranged in numerical order;
(3) the Glossary of Standard Terminology was added and
(4) the Style Guide for Writing Test Methods was added. In
1989 Evaluation Procedures were listed immediately after
the test methods.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Adi B. Chehna, Chair
Ann Laidlaw
Leander B. Ricard
Adam R. Varley

4

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Numerical List of Current AATCC Test Methods and Procedures
Method

Committee

Test Method

6-2006
8-2007
15-2009
16-2004

17-2005
20-2007
20A-2008
22-2005
23-2005
26-2009
27-2009
30-2004

RR1
RA38
RR52
RA50
RA63
RA24
RA24
RA63
RA33
RR9
RA63
RA31

35-2006
42-2007
43-2009
61-2009
66-2008
70-2005
76-2005
79-2007

81-2006
82-2007
84-2005
86-2005
88B-2006
88C-2006
89-2008
92-2009
93-2005
94-2007
96-2009
97-2009
98-2007
100-2004
101-2009
102-2007
103-2009
104-2004
106-2009
107-2009
109-2005
110-2005
111-2009
112-2008
114-2005
115-2005
116-2005
117-2009
118-2007
119-2009

120-2009
121-2005
122-2009
124-2009
125-2009
127-2008
128-2009
129-2005

RA63
RA63
RA63
RA60
RA61
RA63
RA32
RA63
RA34
RA34
RA32
RA43
RA61
RA61
RA66
RR35
RA29
RR45
RA42
RA34
RA34

RA31
RA34
RA34
RA34
RA23
RA23
RA23
RA33
RA36
RA50
RR68
RR35
RA32
RA38
RR54
RA56
RA29
RA29
RA57
RA57
RA61
RA50
RA63
RA61
RA33

Colorfastness to Acids and Alkalis .................................................................................................... 18
Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter Method ............................................................................... 19
Colorfastness to Perspiration.............................................................................................................. 22
Colorfastness to Light ........................................................................................................................ 25

Wetting Agents, Evaluation of ........................................................................................................... 37
Fiber Analysis: Qualitative................................................................................................................. 40
Fiber Analysis: Quantitative............................................................................................................... 59
Water Repellency: Spray Test ............................................................................................................ 67
Colorfastness to Burnt Gas Fumes..................................................................................................... 70
Ageing of Sulfur-Dyed Textiles: Accelerated.................................................................................... 73
Wetting Agents: Evaluation of Rewetting Agents ............................................................................. 75
Antifungal Activity, Assessment on Textile Materials:
Mildew and Rot Resistance of Textile Materials ........................................................................... 76
Water Resistance: Rain Test ............................................................................................................... 80
Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test ........................................................................................ 82
Wetting Agents for Mercerization...................................................................................................... 84
Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated ......................................................................................... 86
Wrinkle Recovery of Woven Fabrics: Recovery Angle..................................................................... 91
Water Repellency: Tumble Jar Dynamic Absorption Test................................................................. 95
Electrical Surface Resistivity of Fabrics ............................................................................................ 97
Absorbency of Textiles....................................................................................................................... 99
pH of the Water-Extract from Wet Processed Textiles .................................................................... 101
Fluidity of Dispersions of Cellulose from Bleached Cotton Cloth.................................................. 103
Electrical Resistance of Yarns .......................................................................................................... 106
Drycleaning: Durability of Applied Designs and Finishes .............................................................. 108
Smoothness of Seams in Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering................................................110
Retention of Creases in Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering..................................................114
Mercerization in Cotton.....................................................................................................................118
Chlorine, Retained, Tensile Loss: Single Sample Method .............................................................. 120
Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics: Accelerotor Method ..................................................................... 123
Finishes in Textiles: Identification ................................................................................................... 126
Dimensional Changes in Commercial Laundering of Woven and Knitted Fabrics Except Wool ...... 133
Extractable Content of Textiles ........................................................................................................ 137
Alkali in Bleach Baths Containing Hydrogen Peroxide .................................................................. 140

Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials: Assessment of............................................................ 142
Colorfastness to Bleaching with Hydrogen Peroxide ...................................................................... 145
Hydrogen Peroxide by Potassium Permanganate Titration: Determination of ............................... 148
Bacterial Alpha-Amylase Enzymes used in Desizing, Assay of ..................................................... 150
Colorfastness to Water Spotting ....................................................................................................... 152
Colorfastness to Water: Sea.............................................................................................................. 153
Colorfastness to Water...................................................................................................................... 155
Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere under Low Humidities ................................................ 157
Whiteness of Textiles ....................................................................................................................... 159
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Exposure to Daylight and Weather............................................... 161
Formaldehyde Release from Fabric, Determination of: Sealed Jar Method ................................... 170
Chlorine, Retained, Tensile Loss: Multiple Sample Method........................................................... 173
Electrostatic Clinging of Fabrics: Fabric-to-Metal Test .................................................................. 175
Colorfastness to Crocking: Rotary Vertical Crockmeter Method.................................................... 179
Colorfastness to Heat: Dry (Excluding Pressing) ............................................................................ 181
Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test................................................................................. 183
Color Change Due to Flat Abrasion (Frosting): Screen Wire Method ............................................ 186
Color Change Due to Flat Abrasion (Frosting): Emery Method ..................................................... 189
Carpet Soiling: Visual Rating Method ............................................................................................. 191
Carpet Soiling: Service Soiling Method .......................................................................................... 193
Smoothness Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering .......................................... 195
Colorfastness to Perspiration and Light ........................................................................................... 199
Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test ................................................................................... 201
Wrinkle Recovery of Fabrics: Appearance Method......................................................................... 203
Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere under High Humidities................................................ 205

AATCC Technical Manual/2010

Page

5
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Method

Committee

Test Method

130-2000
131-2005
132-2009
133-2009
134-2006
135-2004
136-2009
137-2007
138-2005
140-2006
141-2009
142-2005
143-2006
144-2007
146-2006
147-2004
149-2007

RA56
RR53

RA43
RR54
RA57
RA42
RA79
RA57
RA57
RA87
RA87
RR81
RA61
RA34
RA87
RA31
RA90

150-2003
154-2006
157-2005
158-2005
159-2006
161-2007
162-2009
163-2007
164-2006
165-2008
167-2008
168-2007

RA42

RA87
RR92
RA43
RA87
RA90
RA23
RR92
RA33
RA57
RA87
RA90

169-2009
170-2006
171-2005
172-2007
173-2009
174-2007
175-2008
176-2006
178-2004
179-2004
182-2005
183-2004
184-2005
185-2006

RA50
RA87
RA57

RA60
RA36
RA31
RA57
RA87
RR97
RA42
RA36
RA106
RA87
RA90

186-2009
187-2009
188-2008
189-2007
190-2008
191-2009
192-2009
193-2007
194-2008

RA50
RA42
RA60
RA57
RA60
RA41
RA50
RA56

RA49

195-2009

RA63

Soil Release: Oily Stain Release Method......................................................................................... 207
Colorfastness to Pleating: Steam Pleating........................................................................................ 210
Colorfastness to Drycleaning ........................................................................................................... 212
Colorfastness to Heat: Hot Pressing................................................................................................. 215
Electrostatic Propensity of Carpets .................................................................................................. 217
Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering............................................................... 221
Bond Strength of Bonded and Laminated Fabrics ........................................................................... 225
Rug Back Staining on Vinyl Tile...................................................................................................... 228
Cleaning: Washing of Textile Floor Coverings................................................................................ 230
Dye and Pigment Migration in a Pad-Dry Process: Evaluation of .................................................. 232
Compatibility of Basic Dyes for Acrylic Fibers .............................................................................. 235
Appearance of Flocked Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering and/or Coin-Op Drycleaning....... 237
Appearance of Apparel and Other Textile End Products after Repeated Home Laundering.......... 240
Alkali in Wet Processed Textiles: Total ........................................................................................... 246
Dispersibility of Disperse Dyes: Filter Test ..................................................................................... 248
Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak Method ........................... 251
Chelating Agents: Chelation Value of Aminopolycarboxylic Acids and Their Salts;
Calcium Oxalate Method ............................................................................................................. 253
Dimensional Changes of Garments after Home Laundering........................................................... 255
Thermal Fixation Properties of Disperse Dyes ................................................................................ 259
Colorfastness to Solvent Spotting: Perchloroethylene..................................................................... 261
Dimensional Changes on Drycleaning in Perchloroethylene: Machine Method ............................ 263
Transfer of Acid and Premetallized Acid Dyes on Nylon ............................................................... 266
Chelating Agents: Disperse Dye Shade Change Caused by Metals; Control of ............................. 268

Colorfastness to Water: Chlorinated Pool ........................................................................................ 271
Colorfastness: Dye Transfer in Storage; Fabric-to-Fabric ............................................................... 273
Colorfastness to Oxides of Nitrogen in the Atmosphere under High Humidities ........................... 275
Colorfastness to Crocking: Textile Floor Coverings—Crockmeter Method................................... 277
Foaming Propensity of Disperse Dyes............................................................................................. 280
Chelating Agents: Active Ingredient Content of Polyaminopolycarboxylic Acids
and Their Salts; Copper PAN Method ......................................................................................... 282
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Xenon Lamp Exposure ................................................................. 284
Dusting Propensity of Powder Dyes: Evaluation of ........................................................................ 290
Carpets: Cleaning of; Hot Water Extraction Method....................................................................... 292
Colorfastness to Powdered Non-Chlorine Bleach in Home Laundering......................................... 294
CMC: Calculation of Small Color Differences for Acceptability ................................................... 297
Antimicrobial Activity Assessment of Carpets................................................................................ 300
Stain Resistance: Pile Floor Coverings ............................................................................................ 304
Speckiness of Colorant Dispersions: Evaluation of......................................................................... 306
Barré: Visual Assessment and Grading............................................................................................ 308
Skewness Change in Fabric and Garment Twist Resulting from Automatic Home Laundering.......311
Relative Color Strength of Dyes in Solutions .................................................................................. 315
Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics........ 318
Dusting Behavior of Dyes: Determination of .................................................................................. 322
Chelating Agents: Percent Content in Hydrogen Peroxide Bleach Baths;
Copper PAN Indicator Method .................................................................................................... 326
Weather Resistance: UV Light and Moisture Exposure .................................................................. 328
Dimensional Changes of Fabrics: Accelerated ................................................................................ 333
Colorfastness to Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach in Home Laundering ............................................. 336
Fluorine Content of Carpet Fibers.................................................................................................... 339
Colorfastness to Home Laundering with Activated Oxygen Bleach Detergent: Accelerated......... 342
Acid Cellulase Enzymes, Effect of: Top Loading Washer............................................................... 345
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Sunshine-Arc Lamp Exposure With and Without Wetting .......... 347
Aqueous Liquid Repellency: Water/Alcohol Solution Resistance Test........................................... 356

Assessment of the Anti-House Dust Mite Properties of Textiles under Long-Term
Test Conditions............................................................................................................................. 359
Liquid Moisture Management Properties of Textile Fabrics ........................................................... 361

6

Page

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


AATCC Evaluation Procedures
Procedure

Committee

Evaluation Procedure

1-2007
2-2007
4-2007
5-2006
6-2008
7-2009
8-2007
9-2007
10-2007
11-2008

RA36
RA36
RA36
RA89
RA36
RA36
RA36
RA36
RA59
RA36

Gray Scale for Color Change ........................................................................................................... 366
Gray Scale for Staining .................................................................................................................... 368
Standard Depth Scales for Depth Determination............................................................................. 370
Fabric Hand: Guidelines for the Subjective Evaluation of .............................................................. 371
Instrumental Color Measurement..................................................................................................... 374
Instrumental Assessment of the Change in Color of a Test Specimen ............................................ 380
AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale................................................................................ 382
Visual Assessment of Color Difference of Textiles ......................................................................... 384
Multifiber Adjacent Fabrics: Evaluation of ..................................................................................... 387
Spectrophotometer UV Energy Calibration Procedure for Optically Brightened Textiles ............. 390

AATCC Technical Manual/2010

7
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Discontinued AATCC Test Methods
Method

Committee

1-1957
2-1989
3-1989
4-1957
5-1962
7-1989
9-1989
10-1944
11-1989
12-1931
13-1957
14-1953
16A-1988
16B-1977
16C-1988
16D-1988
16E-1987
16F-1988

*D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

16G-1985
18-1967
19-1937
21-1983
24-2004
25-1957
28-2004
29-1957
31-1962
32-1952
33-1962
34-1969
36-1972
37-1952
38-1952
39-1980
40-1957
41-1952
44

45
46
47-1950
48-1952
49-1952
50-1952
51-1952
52-1952
53-1952
54-1952
55-1952
56-1952
57-1952
58-1952
59-1952
60-1952
62-1989

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

Test Method
Colorfastness to Washing, Mill Washing and Scouring: Wool Textiles.
Colorfastness to Fulling.
Colorfastness to Bleaching with Chlorine.
Colorfastness to Washing, Mill: Silk Textiles.

Colorfastness to Dry and Wet Heat. Superseded by Method 133.
Colorfastness to Degumming.
Colorfastness to Stoving.
Colorfastness to Commercial Laundering and to Domestic Washing. Superseded by Method 36.
Colorfastness to Carbonizing.
Colorfastness to Sea Water. Superseded by Method 63.
Colorfastness to Peroxide Bleaching with Peroxide: Silk. Superseded by Method 101.
Dimensional Changes in Cotton and Linen Textiles. Superseded by Method 91.
Colorfastness to Light: Carbon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light. Superseded by Method 16.
Colorfastness to Light through Glass: Sunlight.
Colorfastness to Light through Glass: Daylight. Superseded by Method 16.
Colorfastness to Light: Carbon-Arc Lamp, Alternate Light and Darkness. Superseded by Method 16.
Colorfastness to Light: Water-Cooled Xenon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light. Superseded by Method 16.
Colorfastness to Light: Water-Cooled Xenon-Arc Lamp, Alternate Light and Darkness.
Superseded by Method 16.
Colorfastness to Light: Determination of Fastness Above L-7. Superseded by Method 16.
Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test. Superseded by Method 127.
Mercerization of Cotton, Determination of; Degree of. Superseded by Method 89.
Water Repellency: Static Absorption Test.
Insects, Resistance of Textiles to.
Colorfastness to Drycleaning. Superseded by Method 85.
Insect Pest Deterrents on Textiles.
Colorfastness to Bleaching with Peroxide: Cotton and Linen. Superseded by Method 101.
Colorfastness to Pleating. Superseded by Method 131.
Detection of Phototropism. Superseded by Method 139.
Flammability of Clothing Textiles.
Fire Resistance of Textile Fabrics.
Colorfastness to Washing: Characterization of Textile Colorants.
Colorfastness to Commercial Laundering and Domestic Washing (Silk). Superseded by Method 36.
Colorfastness to Commercial Laundering and Domestic Washing (Wool). Superseded by Method 36.

Wettability, Evaluation of.
Dimensional Changes in Textiles Other Than Wool. Superseded by Method 91.
Dimensional Changes in Wool Textiles: Accelerated Test. Superseded by Method 99.
Discontinued. Superseded by Method 54.
Discontinued. Superseded by Method 54.
Discontinued. Superseded by Method 63.
Colorfastness to Water (Other than Silk and Wool). Superseded by Method 63.
Colorfastness to Water Spotting. Superseded by Method 104.
Colorfastness to Chlorination. Superseded by Method 3.
Colorfastness to Soda Boil.
Colorfastness to Mercerizing.
Colorfastness to Decatizing.
Colorfastness to Chrome (Dichromate) in the Dyebath.
Colorfastness to Cross Dyeing.
Colorfastness to Potting.
Colorfastness to Cellulose Ester Bonding.
Colorfastness to Storage (Acetate).
Colorfastness to Steaming (Acetate).
Colorfastness to Peroxide Bleaching (Wool). Superseded by Method 13.
Detergents on Wool: Detergency Comparator Method.
Oils, Wool; Oxidation in Storage.

*Discontinued Method.

8

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

Method

Committee

63-1961

D

64-1977
65-1984
67-1957
68-1969
69-1958
71-1956
72-1969
73-1953
74-1953

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

75-1971
77-1977

78-1989
80-1954
83-1974
85-1968
87-1965
88-1961
88A-1964
90-1982
91-1958
95-1959
99-2004
105-1975
108-1963
111A-1990
111B-1990
111C-1990
111D-1990
113-1978
123-2000
126-1991
139-2005
145-1985
148-1989
151-2003
152-1990
153-1985
155-1991
156-1991
160-1992
166-1998

177-2000
180-1997
181-2005

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

Procedure

Committee

3 (1996)

D

Test Method
Colorfastness to Water: Distilled or Demineralized; Sea, and Chlorinated Pool.
Superseded by Methods 105, 106, 107.
Scouring, Continuous Scouring of Raw Grease Wool.
Snag Resistance of Women’s Nylon Hosiery.
Wrinkle Recovery of Fabrics: Roller Pressure Crease-Recovery Method.
Colorfastness to Washing at 105F: Rapid Control Test.
Damage Caused by Retained Chlorine. Superseded by Method 92.
Colorfastness to Perspiration: Rapid Control Test.
Colorfastness to Washing and Shrinkage: Combined Rapid Control Test.
Shrinkage of Wool Hose: Accelerated Test. Superseded by Method 99.
Relaxation and Felting Shrinkage of Wool Knit Fabrics (Except Hose): Accelerated Test.

Superseded by Method 99.
Colorfastness to Oxides of Nitrogen in the Atmosphere: Rapid Control Test.
Scourability of Spinning Lubricant.
Ash Content of Bleached Cellulosic Textiles.
Determining the Noncotton Content of Bleached Woven Cotton Cloth. Superseded by Method 97.
Colorfastness to Light and Washing: Alternate Exposure.
Colorfastness to Drycleaning. Superseded by Method 132.
Colorfastness to Washing, Industrial Laundering: Accelerated.
Appearance of Wash and Wear Fabrics after Home Laundering. Superseded by Method 88A.
Appearance of Fabrics in Wash and Wear Items after Home Laundering. Superseded by Method 124.
Antibacterial Activity of Fabrics, Detection of: Agar Plate Method.
Dimensional Changes in Woven Textiles (Excluding Wool). Superseded by Method 96.
Dimensional Restorability of Woven Textiles after Laundering. Superseded by Method 96.
Dimensional Changes of Woven or Knitted Wool Textiles: Relaxation, Consolidation and Felting.
Colorfastness to Water: Chlorinated Pool. Superseded by Method 162.
Dimensional Changes in Drycleaning.
Weather Resistance: Sunshine Arc Lamp Exposure with Wetting. Superseded by Method 111.
Weather Resistance: Exposure to Natural Light and Weather. Superseded by Method 111.
Weather Resistance: Sunshine Arc Lamp Exposure without Wetting. Superseded by Method 111.
Weather Resistance: Exposure to Natural Light and Weather through Glass. Superseded by Method 111.
Formaldehyde Odor in Resin Treated Fabric, Determination of: Steam Method.
Carpet Soiling: Accelerated Soiling Method.
Colorfastness to Water (High Humidity) and Light: Alternate Exposure.
Colorfastness to Light: Detection of Photochromism.
Color Measurement of the Blue Wool Lightfastness Standards: Instrumental.
Light Blocking Effect of Curtain Materials.
Soil Redeposition: Launder-Ometer Method.
Soil Redeposition, Resistance to: Terg-O-Tometer Method.
Color Measurement of Textiles: Instrumental. Superseded by Evaluation Procedure 6.
Transfer of Disperse Dyes on Polyester.

Transfer of Basic Dyes on Acrylics.
Dimensional Restoration of Knitted and Woven Fabrics after Laundering.
Dispersion Stability of Disperse Dyes at High Temperature.
Colorfastness to Light at Elevated Temperature and Humidity: Xenon Lamp Apparatus.
Colorfastness to Light at High Temperatures: Daylight Temperature Controlled Apparatus.
Colorfastness to Light at High Temperatures: Daylight Temperature and Humidity Controlled
Apparatus.
Evaluation Procedure
AATCC 5-Step Chromatic Transference Scale.

AATCC Technical Manual/2010

9
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Alphabetical List of Current AATCC Test Methods and Procedures
Method
Number

Title

AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale................................................................................................ EP 8-2007
Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics: Accelerotor Method .....................................................................................
93-2005
Absorbency of Textiles.....................................................................................................................................
79-2007
Acid Cellulase Enzymes, Effect of: Top Loading Washer............................................................................... 191-2009
Ageing of Sulfur-Dyed Textiles: Accelerated..................................................................................................
26-2009

Alkali in Bleach Baths Containing Hydrogen Peroxide ..................................................................................
98-2007
Alkali in Wet Processed Textiles: Total............................................................................................................ 144-2007
Analysis of Textiles: Finishes, Identification of...............................................................................................
94-2007
Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak Method ........................................... 147-2004
Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials: Assessment of............................................................................ 100-2004
Antifungal Activity, Assessment on Textile Materials: Mildew and Rot Resistance of Textile Materials .....
30-2004
Anti-House Dust Mite Properties of Textiles under Long-Term Test Conditions; Assessment of ................. 194-2008
Antimicrobial Activity Assessment of Carpets................................................................................................ 174-2007
Appearance of Apparel and Other Textile End Products after Repeated Home Laundering .......................... 143-2006
Appearance of Flocked Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering and/or Coin-Op Drycleaning.................. 142-2005
Aqueous Liquid Repellency: Water/Alcohol Solution Resistance Test........................................................... 193-2007
Bacterial Alpha-Amylase Enzymes used in Desizing, Assay of ..................................................................... 103-2009
Barré: Visual Assessment and Grading............................................................................................................ 178-2004
Bond Strength of Bonded and Laminated Fabrics ........................................................................................... 136-2009
CMC: Calculation of Small Color Differences for Acceptability.................................................................... 173-2009
Carpets: Cleaning of; Hot Water Extraction Method....................................................................................... 171-2005
Carpets: Stain Resistance: Pile Floor Coverings.............................................................................................. 175-2003
Carpet Soiling: Accelerated
Service Soiling Method ................................................................................................................................ 122-2009
Visual Rating Method ................................................................................................................................... 121-2005
Chelating Agents: Active Ingredient Content of Polyaminopolycarboxylic Acids and Their Salts;
Copper PAN Method .................................................................................................................................... 168-2007
Chelating Agents: Chelation Value of Aminopolycarboxylic Acids and Their Salts; Calcium Oxalate
Method .......................................................................................................................................................... 149-2007
Chelating Agents: Disperse Dye Shade Change Caused by Metals; Control of ............................................. 161-2007
Chelating Agents: Percent Content in Hydrogen Peroxide Bleach Baths; Copper PAN Indicator Method ... 185-2006
Chlorine, Retained, Tensile Loss: Multiple Sample Method ........................................................................... 114-2005

Chlorine, Retained, Tensile Loss: Single Sample Method...............................................................................
92-2009
Chromatic Transference Scale: AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale ............................................. EP 8-2007
Cleaning: Washing of Textile Floor Coverings................................................................................................ 138-2005
Color Change Due to Flat Abrasion (Frosting):
Emery Method .............................................................................................................................................. 120-2009
Screen Wire Method ..................................................................................................................................... 119-2009
Colorfastness to:
Acids and Alkalis..........................................................................................................................................
6-2006
Bleaching with Hydrogen Peroxide.............................................................................................................. 101-2009
Burnt Gas Fumes ..........................................................................................................................................
23-2005
Crocking: Crockmeter Method.....................................................................................................................
8-2007
Crocking: Rotary Vertical Crockmeter Method ........................................................................................... 116-2005
Crocking: Textile Floor Coverings—Crockmeter Method .......................................................................... 165-2008
Drycleaning................................................................................................................................................... 132-2009
Dye Transfer in Storage; Fabric-to-Fabric.................................................................................................... 163-2007
Heat: Dry (Excluding Pressing).................................................................................................................... 117-2009
Heat: Hot Pressing ........................................................................................................................................ 133-2009
Home Laundering with Activated Oxygen Bleach Detergent: Accelerated ................................................ 190-2008
Laundering: Accelerated...............................................................................................................................
61-2009
Light ..............................................................................................................................................................
16-2004
Oxides of Nitrogen in the Atmosphere under High Humidities................................................................... 164-2006
Ozone in the Atmosphere under Low Humidities........................................................................................ 109-2005
Ozone in the Atmosphere under High Humidities ....................................................................................... 129-2005
Perspiration ...................................................................................................................................................

15-2009
10

Page
382
123
99
345
73
140
246
126
251
142
76
359
300
240
237
356
150
308
225
297
292
304
193
191
282
253

268
326
173
120
382
230
189
186
18
145
70
19
179
277
212
273
181
215
342
86
25
275
157
205
22

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

Method
Number

Title

Colorfastness to: (Continued)
Perspiration and Light................................................................................................................................... 125-2009
Pleating: Steam Pleating ............................................................................................................................... 131-2005
Powdered Non-Chlorine Bleach in Home Laundering ................................................................................ 172-2007
Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach in Home Laundering ..................................................................................... 188-2008
Solvent Spotting: Perchloroethylene ............................................................................................................ 157-2005
Water ............................................................................................................................................................. 107-2009
Water: Chlorinated Pool................................................................................................................................ 162-2009
Water: Sea ..................................................................................................................................................... 106-2009
Water Spotting .............................................................................................................................................. 104-2004
Compatibility of Basic Dyes for Acrylic Fibers .............................................................................................. 141-2009
Creases; in Fabrics, Retention of, after Repeated Home Laundering.............................................................. 88C-2006
Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering............................................................................... 135-2004
Dimensional Changes of Garments after Home Laundering .......................................................................... 150-2003
Dimensional Changes in Commercial Laundering of Woven and Knitted Fabrics Except Wool...................
96-2009
Dimensional Changes on Drycleaning in Perchloroethylene: Machine Method............................................. 158-2005
Dimensional Changes of Fabrics: Accelerated ................................................................................................ 187-2009
Dispersibility of Disperse Dyes: Filter Test ..................................................................................................... 146-2006
Drycleaning: Durability of Applied Designs and Finishes ..............................................................................
86-2005
Dusting Behavior of Dyes: Determination of .................................................................................................. 184-2005
Dusting Propensity of Powder Dyes: Evaluation of ........................................................................................ 170-2006
Dye and Pigment Migration in a Pad-Dry Process: Evaluation of .................................................................. 140-2006
Electrical Surface Resistivity of Fabrics ..........................................................................................................

76-2005
Electrical Resistance of Yarns ..........................................................................................................................
84-2005
Electrostatic Clinging of Fabrics: Fabric-to-Metal Test................................................................................... 115-2005
Electrostatic Propensity of Carpets .................................................................................................................. 134-2006
Extractable Content of Textiles ........................................................................................................................
97-2009
Fabric Hand: Guidelines for the Subjective Evaluation of .............................................................................. EP 5-2006
Fabrics; Appearance of, after Repeated Home Laundering............................................................................. 124-2009
Fiber Analysis: Qualitative...............................................................................................................................
20-2007
Fiber Analysis: Quantitative............................................................................................................................. 20A-2008
Finishes in Textiles: Identification ...................................................................................................................
94-2007
Fluidity of Dispersions of Cellulose from Bleached Cotton Cloth..................................................................
82-2007
Fluorine Content of Carpet Fibers.................................................................................................................... 189-2007
Foaming Propensity of Disperse Dyes ............................................................................................................. 167-2008
Formaldehyde Release from Fabric, Determination of: Sealed Jar Method.................................................... 112-2008
Frosting: (Color Change due to Flat Abrasion)
Emery Method .............................................................................................................................................. 120-2004
Screen Wire Method ..................................................................................................................................... 119-2009
Gray Scale for Color Change ........................................................................................................................... EP 1-2007
Gray Scale for Staining .................................................................................................................................... EP 2-2007
Hydrogen Peroxide by Potassium Titration: Determination of ....................................................................... 102-2007
Instrumental Assessment of the Change in Color of a Test Specimen ............................................................ EP 7-2009
Instrumental Color Measurement..................................................................................................................... EP 6-2008
Liquid Moisture Management Properties of Textile Fabrics ........................................................................... 195-2009
Mercerization in Cotton....................................................................................................................................
89-2008

Migration: Dye and Pigment in a Pad-Dry Process: Evaluation of ................................................................. 140-2006
Mildew and Rot Resistance of Textiles: Fungicides ........................................................................................
30-2004
Multifiber Adjacent Fabrics; Evaluation of ..................................................................................................... EP 10-2007
Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test................................................................................................. 118-2007
pH of the Water-Extract from Wet Processed Textiles.....................................................................................
81-2006
Relative Color Strength of Dyes in Solutions .................................................................................................. 182-2005
Retention of Creases in Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering................................................................. 88C-2006
Rug Back Staining on Vinyl Tile...................................................................................................................... 137-2007
Seams; in Fabrics; Smoothness of, after Repeated Home Laundering............................................................ 88B-2006
Skewness Change in Fabric and Garment Twist Resulting from Automatic Home Laundering.................... 179-2004
Smoothness Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering .......................................................... 124-2009
Soil Release: Oily Stain Release Method......................................................................................................... 130-2000
Speckiness of Colorant Dispersions: Evaluation of ......................................................................................... 176-2006
Spectrophotometer UV Energy Calibration Procedure for Optically Brightened Textiles ............................. EP 11-2008
AATCC Technical Manual /2010

Page

199
210
294
336
261
155
271
153
152
235

114
221
255
133
263
333
248
108
322
290
232
97
106
175
217
137
371
195
40
59
126
103
339
280
170
189
186
366
368
148

380
374
361
118
232
76
387
183
101
315
114
228
110
311
195
207
306
390
11

Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Method
Number

Page

Stain Resistance: Pile Floor Coverings ............................................................................................................ 175-2008
Standard Depth Scales for Depth Determination ............................................................................................. EP 4-2007

Thermal Fixation Properties of Disperse Dyes ................................................................................................ 154-2006
Transfer of Acid and Premetallized Acid Dyes on Nylon ............................................................................... 159-2006
Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics ........................ 183-2004
Visual Assessment of Color Difference of Textiles ......................................................................................... EP 9-2007
Water Repellency: Spray Test ..........................................................................................................................
22-2005
Water Repellency: Tumble Jar Dynamic Absorption Test...............................................................................
70-2005
Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test ................................................................................................... 127-2008
Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test ......................................................................................................
42-2007
Water Resistance: Rain Test .............................................................................................................................
35-2006
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Exposure to Daylight and Weather............................................................... 111-2009
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Xenon Lamp Exposure ................................................................................. 169-2009
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Sunshine-Arc Lamp Exposure with and without Wetting............................ 192-2009
Weather Resistance: UV Light and Moisture Exposure .................................................................................. 186-2009
Wetting Agents, Evaluation of .........................................................................................................................
17-2005
Wetting Agents: Evaluation of Rewetting Agents ...........................................................................................
27-2009
Wetting Agents for Mercerization....................................................................................................................
43-2009
Whiteness of Textiles ....................................................................................................................................... 110-2005
Wrinkle Recovery of Fabrics: Appearance Method......................................................................................... 128-2009
Wrinkle Recovery of Woven Fabrics: Recovery Angle...................................................................................
66-2008

304
370

259
266
318
384
67
95
201
82
80
161
284
347
328
37
75
84
159
203
91

Title

12

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Topical Listing of Current AATCC Test Methods and Procedures
Title

Page

BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Antibacterial Activity of Fabrics, Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak Method; Test Method 147-2004 .............. 251
Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials, Assessment of; Test Method 100-2004 ................................................................. 142
Antifungal Activity, Assessment on Textile Materials: Mildew and Rot Resistance of Textiles; Test Method 30-2004 ............. 76
Antimicrobial Activity Assessment of Carpets; Test Method 174-2007..................................................................................... 300
Bacterial Alpha-Amylase Enzymes used in Desizing, Assay of; Test Method 103-2009 .......................................................... 150
COLORFASTNESS
CMC: Calculation of Small Color Differences for Acceptability; Test Method 173-2009......................................................... 297
Color Change Due to Flat Abrasion (Frosting): Emery Method; Test Method 120-2009 .......................................................... 189
Color Change Due to Flat Abrasion (Frosting): Screen Wire Method; Test Method 119-2009 ................................................. 186
Colorfastness to Acids and Alkalis; Test Method 6-2006.............................................................................................................. 18
Colorfastness to Bleaching with Hydrogen Peroxide; Test Method 101-2009 ........................................................................... 145
Colorfastness to Burnt Gas Fumes; Test Method 23-2005 ............................................................................................................... 70
Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter Method; Test Method 8-2007......................................................................................... 19
Colorfastness to Crocking: Rotary Vertical Crockmeter Method; Test Method 116-2005 ......................................................... 179
Colorfastness to Crocking: Textile Floor Coverings— Crockmeter Method; Test Method 165-2008 ....................................... 277
Colorfastness to Drycleaning; Test Method 132-2009 ................................................................................................................ 212
Colorfastness: Dye Transfer in Storage; Fabric-to- Fabric; Test Method 163-2007 ................................................................... 273
Colorfastness to Heat: Dry (Excluding Pressing); Test Method 117-2009.................................................................................. 181
Colorfastness to Heat: Hot Pressing; Test Method 133-2009 ...................................................................................................... 215
Colorfastness to Home Laundering with Activated Oxygen Bleach Detergent: Accelerated; Test Method 190-2008.............. 342
Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated; Test Method 61-2009 ................................................................................................ 86
Colorfastness to Light; Test Method 16-2004................................................................................................................................ 25
Colorfastness to Powdered Non-Chlorine Bleach in Home Laundering; Test Method 172-2007 .............................................. 294
Colorfastness to Oxides of Nitrogen in the Atmosphere under High Humidities; Test Method 164-2006 .............................. 275
Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere under High Humidities; Test Method 129-2005..................................................... 205
Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere under Low Humidities; Test Method 109-2005...................................................... 157

Colorfastness to Perspiration; Test Method 15-2009 ..................................................................................................................... 22
Colorfastness to Perspiration and Light; Test Method 125-2009 ................................................................................................ 199
Colorfastness to Pleating: Steam Pleating; Test Method 131-2005............................................................................................. 210
Colorfastness to Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach in Home Laundering; Test Method 188-2008................................................... 336
Colorfastness to Solvent Spotting: Perchloroethylene; Test Method 157-2005 .......................................................................... 261
Colorfastness to Water; Test Method 107-2009........................................................................................................................... 155
Colorfastness to Water: Chlorinated Pool; Test Method 162-2009 ............................................................................................. 271
Colorfastness to Water: Sea; Test Method 106-2009 ................................................................................................................... 153
Colorfastness to Water Spotting; Test Method 104-2004 ............................................................................................................. 152
DYEING PROPERTIES
Chelating Agents: Disperse Dye Shade Change Caused by Metals; Control of; Test Method 161-2007 .................................. 268
Compatibility of Basic Dyes for Acrylic Fibers; Test Method 141-2009.................................................................................... 235
Dispersibility of Disperse Dyes: Filter Test; Test Method 146-2006 .......................................................................................... 248
Dusting Behavior of Dyes: Determination of; Test Method 184-2005........................................................................................ 322
Dusting Propensity of Powder Dyes: Evaluation of; Test Method 170-2006.............................................................................. 290
Dye and Pigment Migration in a Pad-Dry Process: Evaluation of; Test Method 140-2006 ....................................................... 232
Foaming Propensity of Disperse Dyes; Test Method 167-2008 .................................................................................................. 280
Relative Color Strength of Dyes in Solutions; Test Method 182-2005 ....................................................................................... 315
Speckiness of Colorant Dispersions: Evaluation of; Test Method 176-2006 .............................................................................. 306
Thermal Fixation Properties of Disperse Dyes; Test Method 154-2006 ..................................................................................... 259
Transfer of Acid and Premetallized Acid Dyes on Nylon; Test Method 159-2006..................................................................... 266
AATCC Technical Manual /2010

13
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Title

Page

EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Chromatic Transference Scale, 9-Step; Evaluation Procedure 8-2007........................................................................................ 382
Fabric Hand: Guidelines for the Subjective Evaluation of; Evaluation Procedure 5-2006......................................................... 371
Gray Scale for Color Change; Evaluation Procedure 1-2007...................................................................................................... 366
Gray Scale for Staining; Evaluation Procedure 2-2007 ............................................................................................................... 368
Instrumental Assessment of the Change in Color of a Test Specimen; Evaluation Procedure 7-2009....................................... 380
Instrumental Color Measurement; Evaluation Procedure 6-2008 ............................................................................................... 374
Multifiber Adjacent Fabrics: Evaluation of; Evaluation Procedure 10-2007 .............................................................................. 387
Spectrophotometer UV Energy Calibration Procedure for Optically Brightened Textiles; Evaluation Procedure 11-2008 ...... 390
Standard Depth Scales for Depth Determination; Evaluation Procedure 4-2007........................................................................ 370
Visual Assessment of Color Difference of Textiles; Evaluation Procedure 9-2007.................................................................... 384
IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
Alkali in Bleach Baths Containing Hydrogen Peroxide; Test Method 98-2007 ......................................................................... 140
Alkali in Wet Processed Textiles: Total; Test Method 144-2007................................................................................................. 246
Chelating Agents: Active Ingredient Content of Polyaminopolycarboxylic Acids and Their Salts; Copper PAN
Method; Test Method 168-2007............................................................................................................................................... 282
Chelating Agents: Chelation Value of Aminopolycarboxylic Acids and Their Salts; Calcium Oxalate Method;
Test Method 149-2007.............................................................................................................................................................. 253
Chelating Agents: Percent Content in Hydrogen Peroxide Bleach Baths; Copper PAN Indicator Method; Test Method
185-2006................................................................................................................................................................................... 326
CMC: Calculation of Small Color Differences for Acceptability; Test Method 173-2009......................................................... 297
Extractable Content of Textiles; Test Method 97-2009 ............................................................................................................... 137
Fiber Analysis: Qualitative; Test Method 20-2007........................................................................................................................ 40
Fiber Analysis: Quantitative; Test Method 20A-2008 ................................................................................................................... 59
Finishes in Textiles: Identification; Test Method 94-2007........................................................................................................ 126
Fluidity of Dispersions of Cellulose from Bleached Cotton Cloth; Test Method 82-2007 ......................................................... 103
Formaldehyde Release from Fabric, Determination of: Sealed Jar Method; Test Method 112-2008......................................... 170
Hydrogen Peroxide by Potassium Permanganate Titration: Determination of; Test Method 102-2007..................................... 148
Mercerization in Cotton; Test Method 89-2008............................................................................................................................118

pH of the Water-Extract from Bleached Textiles; Test Method 81-2006 .................................................................................... 101
Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics; Test Method 183-2004 ............. 318
Whiteness of Textiles; Test Method 110-2005............................................................................................................................. 159
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics: Accelerotor Method; Test Method 93-2005............................................................................. 123
Absorbency of Textiles; Test Method 79-2007 .............................................................................................................................. 99
Acid Cellulase Enzymes, Effect of: Top Loading Washer; Test Method 191-2009.................................................................... 345
Ageing of Sulfur-Dyed Textiles: Accelerated; Test Method 26-2009 ........................................................................................... 73
Appearance of Apparel and Other Textile End Products after Repeated Home Laundering; Test Method 143-2006 ............... 240
Appearance of Flocked Fabric after Repeated Home Laundering and/or Coin-Op Drycleaning; Test Method 142-2005 ........ 237
Appearance: Retention of Creases in Fabric after Repeated Home Laundering; Test Method 88C-2006...................................114
Appearance of Seams in Durable Press Items after Repeated Home Laundering; Test Method 88B-2006 ................................110
Aqueous Liquid Repellency: Water/Alcohol Solution Resistance Test; Test Method 193-2007................................................ 356
Barré: Visual Assessment and Grading; Test Method 178-2004 ................................................................................................. 308
Bond Strength of Bonded and Laminated Fabrics; Test Method 136-2009 ................................................................................ 225
Carpets: Cleaning of; Hot Water Extraction Method; Test Method 171-2005 ............................................................................ 292
Carpets: Electrostatic Propensity of; Test Method 134-2006 ...................................................................................................... 217
Carpet Soiling: Service Soiling Method; Test Method 122-2009................................................................................................ 193
Carpet Soiling: Visual Rating Method; Test Method 121-2005 .................................................................................................. 191
Chlorine, Retained, Tensile Loss: Multiple Sample Method; Test Method 114-2005 ................................................................ 173
Chlorine, Retained, Tensile Loss: Single Sample Method; Test Method 92-2009...................................................................... 120
Cleaning: Washing of Textile Floor Coverings; Test Method 138-2005 ..................................................................................... 230
Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering; Test Method 135-2004.................................................................... 221
Dimensional Changes of Garments after Home Laundering; Test Method 150-2003 ................................................................ 255
Dimensional Changes in Commercial Laundering of Woven and Knitted Fabrics Except Wool; Test Method 96-2009.......... 133
Dimensional Changes on Drycleaning in Perchloroethylene: Machine Method; Test Method 158-2005 ..................................... 263
Dimensional Changes of Fabrics: Accelerated; Test Method 187-2009 ..................................................................................... 333
14

AATCC Technical Manual/2010

Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Title

Page

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (Continued)
Drycleaning: Durability of Applied Designs and Finishes; Test Method 86-2005 ..................................................................... 108
Electrical Surface Resistivity of Fabrics; Test Method 76-2005 ................................................................................................... 97
Electrical Resistance of Yarns; Test Method 84-2005 ................................................................................................................. 106
Electrostatic Clinging of Fabrics: Fabric-to-Metal Test; Test Method 115-2005........................................................................ 175
Electrostatic Propensity of Carpets; Test Method 134-2006 ....................................................................................................... 217
Fluorine Content of Carpet Fibers; Test Method 189-2007......................................................................................................... 339
Liquid Moisture Management Properties of Textile Fabrics; Test Method 195-2009 ................................................................ 361
Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test; Test Method 118-2007 ...................................................................................... 183
Retention of Creases in Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering; Test Method 88C-2006 ......................................................114
Rug Back Staining on Vinyl Tile; Test Method 137-2007 ........................................................................................................... 228
Skewness Change in Fabric and Garment Twist Resulting from Automatic Home Laundering; Test Method 179-2004 ..........311
Smoothness Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering; Test Method 124-2009................................................ 195
Smoothness of Seams in Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering; Test Method 88B-2006.....................................................110
Soil Release: Oily Stain Release Method; Test Method 130-2000.............................................................................................. 207
Stain Resistance: Pile Floor Coverings; Test Method 175-2008 ................................................................................................. 304
Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics; Test Method 183-2004 ............. 318
Water Repellency: Spray Test; Test Method 22-2005.................................................................................................................... 67
Water Repellency: Tumble Jar Dynamic Absorption Test; Test Method 70-2005 ........................................................................ 95
Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test; Test Method 127-2003 ........................................................................................ 201
Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test; Test Method 42-2007 ............................................................................................... 82
Water Resistance: Rain Test; Test Method 35-2006 ...................................................................................................................... 80
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Exposure to Daylight and Weather; Test Method 111-2009 .................................................... 161

Weather Resistance of Textiles: Sunshine-Arc Lamp Exposure With and Without Wetting; Test Method 192-2009 ............... 347
Weather Resistance of Textiles: Xenon Lamp Exposure; Test Method 169-2009 ...................................................................... 284
Weather Resistance: UV Light and Moisture Exposures; Test Method 186-2009 ...................................................................... 328
Wetting Agents, Evaluation of; Test Method 17-2005................................................................................................................... 37
Wetting Agents: Evaluation of Rewetting Agents; Test Method 27-2009 .................................................................................... 75
Wetting Agents for Mercerization; Test Method 43-2009 ............................................................................................................. 84
Wrinkle Recovery of Fabrics: Appearance Method; Test Method 128-2009.............................................................................. 203
Wrinkle Recovery of Woven Fabrics: Recovery Angle; Test Method 66-2008 ............................................................................ 91

AATCC Technical Manual /2010

15
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Changes in AATCC Test Methods

T

he following changes have been made in AATCC
test methods since publication of the 2009 edition of
the TECHNICAL MANUAL. The copy deadline for changes in
the 2010 edition was May 2009.
Global Editorial Change to AATCC Test Methods. Web
sites of sources listed in AATCC test methods, if known,
were added editorially.
8-2007, Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter Method.
Editorially revised to correct the tolerances for Crockmeter
Test Cloth in 13.5.
15-2009, Colorfastness to Perspiration. Revised to provide

consistency within three methods (15, 106 and 107) regarding multifiber use, specimen preparation and sewing of
multifiber.
20-2007, Fiber Analysis: Qualitative. Editorially revised to
delete lyocell from Man-Made Fibers list and add the reference to ISO 2076 in the Development Statement.
20A-2008, Fiber Analysis: Quantitative. Editorially revised to add reference to ISO 1833 in the Development
Statement and to correct Equation 2 in 14.4.
26-2009, Ageing of Sulfur-Dyed Textiles: Accelerated.
Reaffirmed and editorially revised to delete 8.2 as an option
to determine degree of deterioration by the cuprammonium
fluidity test.
27-2009, Wetting Agents: Evaluation of Rewetting
Agents. Reaffirmed.
28-2004, Insect Pest Deterrents on Textiles. Withdrawn in
its entirety due to lack of use in the industry.
35-2006, Water Resistance: Rain Test. Editorially revised
to add the ISO reference in the Development Statement.
42-2007, Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test. Editorially revised to add ISO reference in the Development
Statement.
43-2009, Wetting Agents for Mercerization. Reaffirmed.
61-2009, Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated. Revised to add a cold hand wash test as Option 1B and to add
as an alternate the use of rubber balls instead of stainless
steel balls.
70-2005, Water Repellency: Tumble Jar Dynamic Absorption Test. Editorially revised to add the ISO reference in the
Development Statement.
89-2008, Mercerization in Cotton. Editorially revised to indicate in the Development Statement that this method has
been transferred to the jurisdiction of AATCC Committee
RA34, Preparation Test Methods from Committee RA66,
Mercerization Test Methods as RA66 has been disbanded.
92-2009, Chlorine, Retained, Tensile Loss: Single Sample
Method. Reaffirmed.

96-2009, Dimensional Changes in Commercial Laundering of Woven and Knitted Fabrics Except Wool. Reaffirmed.
97-2009, Extractable Content of Textiles. Revised (with a
title change) to be used for determining the amount of water,
enzyme and organic-solvent extractable matter of cellulose
and other fiber types in their greige and/or prepared state of
processing. The revised method also changes the solvent
from 1,1,1 trichloroethane (TCE) to hexanes because TCE is
an ozone depleter and can no longer be manufactured. The
reasons for changing to hexanes include reasonable cost,
environmental safety, and fewer concerns about worker
exposure as compared to other solvents. Although hexanes
are flammable, they do not pose an extreme hazard when
handled properly. However, since some labs may have concerns about flammability, please note that this method has
an option (refer to 11.1) for alternative solvents. A precision
and bias statement has also been added.
100-2004, Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials:
Assessment of. Editorially revised to correct Equation 3 in
11.2.
101-2009, Colorfastness to Bleaching with Hydrogen Peroxide. Reaffirmed and editorially revised to correct formulae
in Table I.
103-2009, Bacterial Alpha-Amylase Enzymes used in Desizing, Assay of. Reaffirmed.
106-2009, Colorfastness to Water: Sea. Revised to provide
consistency within three methods (15, 106 and 107) regarding multifiber use, specimen preparation and sewing of multifiber.
107-2009, Colorfastness to Water. Revised to provide consistency within three methods (15, 106 and 107) regarding
multifiber use, specimen preparation and sewing of multifiber.
111-2009, Weather Resistance of Textiles: Exposure to
Daylight and Weather. Reaffirmed and editorially revised
to add references to ASTM methods.
117-2009, Colorfastness to Heat: Dry (Excluding Pressing). Reaffirmed and editorially revised to correct sample of

testing temperature in 7.2.
119-2009, Color Change Due to Flat Abrasion (Frosting):
Screen Wire Method. Reaffirmed.
120-2009, Color Change Due to Flat Abrasion (Frosting):
Emery Method. Reaffirmed.
122-2009, Carpet Soiling: Service Soiling Method. Revised to simplify specimen mounting and rotation and to add
the synthetic soil preparation from TM 123 (see below) as
Appendix A.
123-2000, Carpet Soiling: Accelerated Soiling Method.
Withdrawn in its entirety because of lack of use in the industry. However the synthetic soil preparation was added to TM
122 (see above).

16

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


124-2009, Smoothness Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering. Revised to include new language to allow the use of digital imaging systems and to
include a title change.
125-2009, Colorfastness to Perspiration and Light. Reaffirmed and editorially revised to add ISO reference in Development Statement.
128-2009, Wrinkle Recovery of Fabrics: Appearance
Method. Revised to include new language to allow the use
of digital imaging systems and to note in 1.2 that the method
can be used to evaluate fabrics in their original, unwashed
state or after home laundering.
132-2009, Colorfastness to Drycleaning. Reaffirmed and
editorially revised to correct ISO reference in Development
Statement.
133-2009, Colorfastness to Heat: Hot Pressing. Reaffirmed and editorially revised to correct sample of testing

temperature in 7.2.
136-2009, Bond Strength of Bonded and Laminated Fabrics. Reaffirmed and editorially changed to correct conditioning temperature in 8.1.
141-2009, Compatibility of Basic Dyes for Acrylic Fibers.
Reaffirmed.
162-2009, Colorfastness to Water: Chlorinated Pool. Reaffirmed.
165-2008, Colorfastness to Crocking: Textile Floor Coverings—Crockmeter Method. Editorially revised to correct
the tolerances for Crockmeter Test Cloth in 13.4.
169-2009, Weather Resistance of Textiles: Xenon Lamp
Exposure. Reaffirmed and editorially revised to add references to ASTM methods.
173-2009, CMC: Calculation of Small Color Differences
for Acceptability. Revised to delete “Appendix A. Computer
Program” and “Appendix B. Representative Test Data” from
the test method for the following reasons: (1) An error had
been identified in the BASIC program code and no resource
had been identified to correct the error (effort has been ongoing since May 2007); (2) Modern computer programs no
longer utilize BASIC as a programming language; and (3)
CMC calculations are being performed accurately by color

quality control computer programs readily available to the
industry today.
176-2006, Speckiness of Colorant Dispersions: Evaluation of. Editorially revised to add ISO reference in Development Statement.
179-2004, Skewness Change in Fabric and Garment
Twist Resulting from Automatic Home Laundering. Editorially revised to add ISO reference in Development Statement.
184-2005, Dusting Behavior of Dyes: Determination of.
Editorially revised to correct ISO reference in Development
Statement.
186-2009, Weather Resistance: UV Light and Moisture
Exposure. Revised to add references to ASTM methods.
187-2009, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics: Accelerated.
Reaffirmed and editorially revised to add ISO reference to

Development Statement.
191-2009, Acid Cellulase Enzymes, Effect of: Top Loading Washer. Reaffirmed and editorially revised to correct
name of ASTM method in 8.3.
192-2009, Weather Resistance of Textiles: Sunshine-Arc
Lamp Exposure With and Without Wetting. Revised only
to add references to ASTM methods.
195-2009, Liquid Moisture Management Properties of
Textile Fabrics. NEW AATCC test method which provides
for the measurement, evaluation and classification of liquid
moisture management properties of textile fabrics. The test
method produces objective measurements of some liquid
moisture management properties of knitted, woven and nonwoven textile fabrics. The results obtained with this test
method were based on water resistance, water repellency and
water absorption characteristics of the fabric structure, including the fabric’s geometric and internal structure and the
wicking characteristics of its fibers and yarns. A Precision
and Bias Statement has been included to provide clarity.
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1-2007, Gray Scale for
Color Change. Editorially revised to clarify the description
of the color changes in colorfastness test (see 6.1).
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 7-2009, Instrumental Assessment of Change in Color of a Test Specimen. Reaffirmed.

AATCC Technical Manual/2010

17
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


AATCC Test Method 6-2006

Colorfastness to Acids and Alkalis

Developed in 1925 by AATCC Committee RR1; revised 1945, 1952, 1957; reaffirmed 1972, 1975, 1978, 1989, 2006;
editorially revised and reaffirmed 1981,
1986, 1994, 2001; editorially revised
1995, 2004. Related to ISO 105-E05
and E06.

shield, impervious gloves and an impervious apron during dispensing and mixing of hydrochloric acid, acetic acid and
ammonium hydroxide.
4.3 An eyewash/safety shower should
be located nearby and a self-contained
breathing apparatus should be readily
available for emergency use.

1. Purpose and Scope

5. Apparatus, Materials and Reagents

1.1 Test specimens are evaluated for
resistance to simulated action of acid
fumes, sizes, alkaline sizes, alkaline
cleansing agents and alkaline street dirt.
These test methods are applicable to textiles made from all fibers in the form of
yarns or fabrics, whether dyed, printed or
otherwise colored.

5.1 Beaker, 250 mL
5.2 Bell jar, 4 L, with a glass plate base
5.3 Evaporating dish
5.4 Gray Scale for Color Change (see
11.1)

5.5 Hydrochloric acid (HCl), 35%
5.6 Acetic acid (CH3COOH), 56%
5.7 Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH),
anhydrous ammonia 28% (NH3)
5.8 Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), anhydrous, technical
5.9 Calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2],
freshly prepared paste

2. Principle

2.1 The specimens are steeped in or
spotted with the required solutions by
means of simple laboratory equipment.
The tested specimens are examined for
changes in color.
3. Terminology

3.1 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of
a material to change in any of its color
characteristics, to transfer of its colorant(s) to adjacent materials, or both, as a
result of the exposure of the material to
any environment that might be encountered during the processing, testing, storage or use of the material.
4. Safety Precautions

NOTE: These safety precautions are
for information purposes only. The precautions are ancillary to the testing procedures and are not intended to be all
inclusive. It is the user’s responsibility to
use safe and proper techniques in handling materials in this test method. Manufacturers MUST be consulted for specific
details such as material safety data sheets
and other manufacturer’s recommendations. All OSHA standards and rules

must also be consulted and followed.
4.1 Good laboratory practices should
be followed. Wear safety glasses in all
laboratory areas.
4.2 All chemicals should be handled
with care. Use chemical goggles or face

18

6. Test Specimens

6.1 These may be cut in any convenient
size.
7. Procedure

7.1 Acid Tests.
7.1.1 Spot the specimen with the hydrochloric acid solution (100 mL of 35%
acid made up to 1 L, add acid to water) at
21°C (70°F), and then dry the specimen
at room temperature without rinsing.
7.1.2 Spot the specimen with acetic
acid (56%) and dry it at room temperature without rinsing.
7.2 Alkali Tests.
7.2.1 Steep the specimen for 2 min at
21°C (70°F) in ammonium hydroxide
(28% anhydrous ammonia) and dry it at
room temperature without rinsing.
7.2.2 Steep for 2 min at 21°C (70°F) in
sodium carbonate (10%) and dry it at
room temperature without rinsing.

7.2.3 Suspend the specimen over a 7.6
cm (3 in.) evaporating dish containing 10
mL ammonium hydroxide (28% anhydrous ammonia) for 24 h in a 4 L bell jar
placed on a glass plate.
7.2.4 Spot the specimen with calcium
hydroxide, a freshly prepared paste, made
by mixing the hydroxide with a small
amount of water, and dry the specimen.

Then brush the specimen to remove the
dry powder.
8. Evaluation

8.1 Rate the effect on the color of the
test specimens by reference to the Gray
Scale for Color Change (see 11.1).
Grade 5—negligible or no change as
shown in Gray Scale Step 5.
Grade 4.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 4-5.
Grade 4—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 4.
Grade 3.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 3-4.
Grade 3—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 3.
Grade 2.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 2-3.
Grade 2—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 2.

Grade 1.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 1-2.
Grade 1—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 1.
9. Report

9.1 In reporting results of these tests,
state the reagent used as given in the following example:
“This material is in Grade...with respect to colorfastness to hydrochloric
acid, etc.”
10. Precision and Bias

10.1 Precision. Precision for this test
method has not been established. Until a
precision statement is generated for this
test method, use standard statistical techniques in making any comparisons of test
results for either within-laboratory or
between-laboratory averages.
10.2 Bias. The colorfastness to acids
and alkalis can be defined only in terms
of a test method. There is no independent
method for determining the true value.
As a means of estimating this property,
the method has no known bias.
11. Note

11.1 Available from AATCC, P.O. Box
12215, Research Triangle Park NC
27709; tel: 919/549-8141; fax: 919/5498933; e-mail: ; web site:
www.aatcc.org.

TM 6-2006

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


AATCC Test Method 8-2007

Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter Method
Developed in 1936 by AATCC Committee RA38; revised 1937, 1952, 1957,
1961, 1969, 1972, 1985, 1988, 1996,
2004, 2005, 2007; reaffirmed 1945;
1989; editorially revised and reaffirmed
1968, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1995, 2001;
editorially revised 1986, 2002, 2008
(with title change); 2009. Partly equivalent to ISO 105-X12.
1. Purpose and Scope

dures and are not intended to be all inclusive. It is the user’s responsibility to use
safe and proper techniques in handling
materials in this test method. Manufacturers MUST be consulted for specific
details such as material safety data sheets
and other manufacturer’s recommendations. All OSHA standards and rules
must also be consulted and followed.
4.1 Good laboratory practices should
be followed. Wear safety glasses in all
laboratory areas.

1.1 This test method is designed to determine the amount of color transferred

from the surface of colored textile materials to other surfaces by rubbing. It is applicable to textiles made from all fibers in
the form of yarn or fabric whether dyed,
printed or otherwise colored. It is not recommended for use for carpets or for
prints where the singling out of areas may
be too small using this method (see 13.2
and 13.3).
1.2 Test procedures employing white
test cloth squares, both dry and wet with
water, are given.
1.3 As washing, drycleaning, shrinkage, ironing, finishing, etc., may affect
the degree of color transfer from a material, the test may be made before, after, or
before and after any such treatment.

5.1 Crockmeter (see 13.3, 13.4 and
Fig. 1).
5.2 Crockmeter Test Cloth, cut in 50
mm squares (see 13.5).
5.3 AATCC Chromatic Transference
Scale (see 13.6).
5.4 Gray Scale for Staining (see 13.6).
5.5 White AATCC Textile Blotting
Paper (see 13.6).
5.6 Specimen Holder for crockmeter
(see 13.4).
5.7 In-house poor crocking cloth.
5.8 Crockmeter Verification Cloth.
This item may be used in lieu of an
in-house poor crocking cloth when such
poor in-house crocking cloth is not available.

2. Principle

6. Verification

2.1 A colored test specimen is rubbed
with white crock test cloth under controlled conditions.
2.2 Color transferred to the white test
cloth is assessed by a comparison with
the Gray Scale for Staining or the Chromatic Transference Scale and a grade is
assigned.

6.1 Verification checks on the operation of the test and the apparatus should
be made routinely and the results kept in
a log. The following observations and
corrective actions are extremely important to avoid incorrect test results where
abnormal crock images can result and influence the rating process.
6.2 Use the Crockmeter Verification

3. Terminology

5. Apparatus and Materials (see 13.1)

3.1 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of
a material to change in any of its color
characteristics, to transfer of its colorant(s) to adjacent materials, or both, as a
result of the exposure of the material to
any environment that might be encountered during the processing, testing, storage or use of the material.
3.2 crocking, n.—a transfer of colorant from the surface of a colored yarn or
fabric to another surface or to an adjacent
area of the same fabric principally by

rubbing.

7. Test Specimens

4. Safety Precautions

NOTE: These safety precautions are
for information purposes only. The precautions are ancillary to the testing proce-

Cloth or in-house poor crocking fabric
with known behavior and conduct three
dry and wet crock tests.
6.2.1 A poor circular image with uneven dye pick-up may indicate the crocking finger needs resurfacing (see 13.7).
6.2.2 A double, elongated image may
indicate a loose clip (see 13.7).
6.2.3 A stretched and streaked crock
image may be due to mounting the crock
square diagonally.
6.2.4 Scuff marks to the sides of the
specimen indicate the loops to the wire
clips are positioned downwards and are
not high enough to prevent rubbing the
specimen surface.
6.2.5 A streak in the center of the crock
cloth image and in the direction of rubbing may mean the top of the metal base
is warped and not flat. This will require a
brace insert to square up the tester base.
6.2.6 If specimen holders are used,
place the holder over the specimen on the
tester base. Move the crocking finger on

the crocking arm to the most forward position and observe whether it hits the inside edge of the holder. If this occurs,
move the holder slightly forward for all
tests. Without correction, this problem
will cause a dark area on one side of the
crocking image.
6.2.7 Confirm the wet pick-up techniques (see 9.2).
6.2.8 Replace the abrasive paper on the
tester base if it is smooth to the touch in
the crocking area compared to the adjacent area, or if slippage of the specimen
is noticed.
6.2.9 In routine testing, observe if multiple streaks are on the crocking image.
Position specimen normally with the long
dimension oblique to the warp and filling. If the direction of rubbing falls along
a twill line or surface pattern, etc., then
streaks may occur. If they do occur,
slightly adjust the angle for testing.

Fig. 1—Crockmeter.

7.1 Two specimens are used, one each
for the dry and the wet tests.
7.1.1 Additional specimens may be
used to increase the precision of the average (see 12.1).
7.2 Cut specimens at least 50 × 130 mm
(2.0 × 5.1 in.) and position for testing preferably with the long dimension oblique to
warp and filling or wales and courses.
7.2.1 Larger or full width lab samples
may be used without cutting individual
specimens, when multiple tests are
needed and when using for production

TM 8-2007

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

19


testing.
7.3 Yarns. Knit a piece of fabric at least
50 × 130 mm, or wind yarn tightly on a
suitable form at least 50 × 130 mm with
the yarn running in the long direction; or
otherwise stretched (see 13.8).
8. Conditioning

8.1 Prior to testing, precondition and
condition the test specimens and the
crock squares for crock testing as directed in ASTM D 1776, Conditioning
Textiles for Testing. Condition each specimen for at least 4 h in an atmosphere of
21 ± 1°C (70 ± 2°F) and 65 ± 2% RH by
laying each test specimen or crock square
separately on a screen or perforated shelf
of conditioning rack.
9. Procedures

9.1 Dry Crocking Test.
9.1.1 Place a test specimen on the base
of the crockmeter resting flat on the abrasive cloth with its long dimension in the

direction of rubbing (see 13.7).
9.1.2 Place specimen holder over specimen as an added means to prevent
slippage.
9.1.3 Mount a white test cloth square,
the weave parallel with the direction of
rubbing, over the end of the finger which
projects downward from the weighted
sliding arm. Use the special spiral wire
clip to hold the test square in place. Position the clip with loops upward. If the
loops point downward they can drag
against the test specimen.
9.1.4 Lower the covered finger onto the
test specimen. Beginning with the finger
positioned at the front end, crank the
meter handle 10 complete turns at the rate
of one turn per second to slide the covered
finger back and forth 20 times. Set and
run the motorized tester for 10 complete
turns. Refer to individual specifications
for any other required number of turns.
9.1.5 Remove the white test cloth
square, condition (see 8.1) and evaluate
as directed in Section 10. In the case of
napped, brushed or sanded material when
loose fiber might interfere with the rating,
remove the extraneous fibrous material
by pressing lightly on the crock circle
with the sticky side of cellophane tape
before evaluating.
9.2 Wet Crocking Test.

9.2.1 Establish technique (see 13.10)
for preparing wet crock cloth squares by
weighing a conditioned square, then thoroughly wet out white testing square in
distilled water. Prepare only one square at
a time.
9.2.2 Weigh dry crock square. Using a
syringe tube, graduated pipette or automatic pipetter, draw up water in mL to
0.65 times weight of crocking square. If
crocking square weight equals 0.24 gm,
the mL used would be 0.24 × 0.65 = 0.16
mL. Lay crocking square on white plastic

20

Transference Scale.
Grade 2.5—color transfer equivalent to
Step 2-3 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 2.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
Grade 2—color transfer equivalent to
Step 2 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 2 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
Transference Scale.
Grade 1.5—color transfer equivalent to
Step 1-2 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 1.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
Grade 1—color transfer equivalent to
Step 1 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 1 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
Transference Scale.
10.4 Average individual results to the

nearest 0.1 grade when multiple specimens are tested or when a panel of evaluators rate color transfer.

mesh over a dish. Apply water evenly
over crocking square and weigh the wet
square. Calculate wet pickup according
to instructions in this method and Method
116, Colorfastness to Crocking: Rotary
Vertical Crockmeter Method. If needed,
adjust the amount of water used to wet
the square and using a new crocking
square, repeat steps. When 65 ± 5% wet
pickup is achieved, record the amount of
water used. Draw up the recorded amount
of water into the syringe tube, graduated
pipette or automatic pipetter for each wet
crocking performed during the current
day. Repeat this process each day.
9.2.3 Avoid evaporative reduction of
the moisture content below the specified
level before the actual crock test is run.
9.2.4 Continue as directed in 9.1.
9.2.5 Air dry the white test square, then
condition (see 8.1) before evaluating. In
the case of napped, brushed or sanded
material when loose fiber might interfere
with the rating, remove the extraneous
fibrous material by pressing lightly on the
crock circle with the sticky side of cellophane tape before evaluating.

11. Report

11.1 State whether dry or wet crocking
test.
11.2 Report the grade determined in 10.3.
11.3 Report the grade determined in
10.4 to the nearest 0.1 grade.
11.4 State whether Gray Scale for
Staining or Chromatic Transference Scale
was used for evaluating staining (see 13.6
and 13.9).
11.5 If any pretreatment or aftertreatment was given to any specimens (see
1.3) indicate method of treatment.

10. Evaluation

10.1 Rate the amount of color transferred from the specimen to the white test
square under examination by means of the
Chromatic Transference Scale or the Gray
Scale for Staining (see 13.11 and 13.14).
10.2 Back the test square with three
layers of white test cloth while evaluating.
10.3 Rate dry and wet crocking fastness by means of the Gray Scale for
Staining or the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
Transference Scale. (Usage of these
scales is discussed in AATCC Evaluation
Procedures 2, 3 and 8, respectively.)
Grade 5—negligible or no color transfer.
Grade 4.5—color transfer equivalent to
Step 4-5 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 4.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.

Grade 4—color transfer equivalent to
Step 4 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 4 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
Transference Scale.
Grade 3.5—color transfer equivalent to
Step 3-4 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 3.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
Grade 3—color transfer equivalent to
Step 3 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 3 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic

12. Precision and Bias

12.1 Precision. An interlaboratory test
was conducted in 1986 to establish the
precision of the test method. Testing was
conducted under the normal atmospheric
conditions of each laboratory and not
necessarily under ASTM standard conditions. Two operators at each of 12 laboratories evaluated 5 fabrics in 3 replications
by both dry and wet test method. Each of
3 raters independently rated the stained
crock squares using both the Gray Scale
for Staining and the Chromatic Transference Scale. The original data is on file at
the AATCC Technical Center.
12.1.1 The components of variance as
standard deviations of the Gray Scale for
Staining or Chromatic Transference Scale
rating units are given in Table I.
12.1.2 Critical differences are given in
Table II.

Table I—Components of Variance
Test
Scale
Single Operator/Rater
Within Laboratory
Between Laboratory

Dry

Wet

Chromatic

Gray

Chromatic

Gray

0.20
0.20
0.10

0.20
0.19
0.17

0.24
0.31

0.38

0.25
0.34
0.54

TM 8-2007

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Table II—Critical Differences
For the components of variance in Table I, two averages of observed values should be considered
significantly different at the 95% probability level if the difference equals or exceeds the following critical
differences.
Test
Scale
Single Operator/Rater
Within Laboratory
Between Laboratory

Dry

Wet

No. of
Observations

Chromatic

Gray

Chromatic

Gray

1
3
5
1
3
5
1
3
5

0.55
0.32
0.24
0.77
0.60
0.60
0.82
0.69
0.66

0.54
0.31
0.24

0.75
0.61
0.57
0.89
0.77
0.74

0.68
0.39
0.30
1.08
0.93
0.90
1.53
1.43
1.41

0.70
0.40
0.31
1.17
1.02
1.00
1.90
1.81
1.79

The critical differences were calculated using t = 1.96 which is based on infinite degrees of freedom.

Table III—Crock Test Results

Lab A
Lab B
Difference

Dry

Wet

4.5
4.0
0.5

3.5
1.5
2.0

12.1.3 Example for determining between laboratory differences using one
observer and the chromatic scale are
given in Table III.
Interpretation: For the dry crock test,
since the difference between labs is less
than the critical differences in 12.1.2
(0.82), the difference in results is not significant. For the wet crock test, since the
difference between labs is greater than
the critical difference (1.53), the difference in results is significant.
12.2 Bias. The true value of colorfastness to crocking can only be defined in
terms of a test method. Within this limitation, this test method has no known bias.
13. Notes
13.1 For potential equipment information

pertaining to this test method, please visit
the online AATCC Buyer’s Guide at http://
www.aatcc.org/bg. AATCC provides the possibility of listing equipment and materials sold
by its Corporate members, but AATCC does

not qualify, or in any way approve, endorse or
certify that any of the listed equipment or
materials meets the requirements in its test
methods.
13.2 For carpets, AATCC Method 165, Colorfastness to Crocking: Carpets—Crockmeter
Method, under the jurisdiction of Committee
RA57, Floor Covering Test Methods, should
be used.
13.3 The crockmeter provides a reciprocating rubbing motion simulating the action of a
human finger and forearm.
13.4 The crockmeter is so designed that the
16 ± 0.3 mm (0.625 ± 0.01 in.) diameter finger
moves back and forth, with each complete
turn of the crank, in a straight line along a 104
± 3 mm track on the specimen, with a downward force of 9 N ± 10% (2 lb ± 10%).
13.5 Crockmeter Test Cloth should meet
the following specifications:
Fiber

100% 10.3-16.8 mm combed
cotton
staple,
desized,
bleached, with no optical
brightener or finishing material present

Yarn
15 tex (40/1 cotton count),
5.9 turns/cm “z”
Thread count 32 ± 5 warp ends/cm: 33 ± 5
picks filling/cm
Weave
1/1 plain
pH
7 ± 0.5
Mass/sq meter 100 ± 3 g finished
Whiteness
W = 78 ± 3 (Method 110)
13.6 The Chromatic Transference Scale,
Gray Scales for Staining and White AATCC
Textile Blotting Paper are available from
AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle

Park NC 27709; tel: 919/549-8141; fax: 919/
549-8933; e-mail: ; web site:
www.aatcc.org.
13.7 Accidental damage to the rubbing finger, spiral clip or abrasive paper should be
repaired as follows: neatly renew the abrasive
paper; bend the clip further open or shut
around a rod slightly smaller in diameter than
the crock peg; resurface the finger by movement on an extra piece of fine emery cloth in a
manner simulating regular use.
13.8 For more convenient crock testing of
multiple strands of yarn or thread a dowel attachment is useful. This attachment was developed to avoid the tendency of the standard
finger to dig into and push aside the yarns, or
slide off them and possibly give erroneous

results. This attachment is 25 mm in diameter
by 51 mm long. Positioned on its side and held
in place by the standard finger, it provides a
wider test area, and holds the white test square
by two spring loaded clips. For additional information on this development see the article
by C. R. Trommer, “Modification of the
AATCC Crockmeter for Yarn Testing,” American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 45, No. 12, p357,
June 4, 1956; also see articles by S. Korpanty
and C. R. Trommer, “An Improved Crockmeter for Yarn Testing,” American Dyestuff
Reporter, Vol. 48, No. 6, p40, March 23, 1959.
13.9 It has been noted that different grades
may result depending upon whether the
Gray Scale for Staining or Chromatic Transference Scale is used for the evaluation. It is,
therefore, important to report which scale was
used.
13.10 Experienced operators do not have to
repeat this weighing procedure during a test
session once the technique is established.
13.11 For very critical evaluations and in
cases of arbitration, grades must be based on
the Gray Scale for Staining.
13.12 For a discussion of crock testing, see
the article by J. Patton, “Crock Test Problems
can be Prevented,” Textile Chemist and Colorist, Vol. 21, No. 3, p13, March 1989; and “Testing for Crocking: Some Problems and Pitfalls”
by Allan E. Gore, Textile Chemists and Colorists, Vol. 21, No. 3, p17, March 1989.
13.13 For prints where the singling out of
areas too small to test with the standard crockmeter is necessary (see AATCC Method 116,
Rotary Vertical Crockmeter Method). Specimens tested by both test methods may show
dissimilar results. There is no known correlation between the two methods.
13.14 An automated electronic grading system may be used as long as the system has

been demonstrated to provide results that are
equal to and provide equal or better repeatability and reproducibility than an experienced
grader performing visual evaluation.

TM 8-2007

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

21


AATCC Test Method 15-2009

Colorfastness to Perspiration
Developed in 1949 by AATCC Committee RR52; jurisdiction transferred to
AATCC Committee RA23 in 2006; revised 1952, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1972,
1973, 1975, 1976, 1997, 2009; reaffirmed 1967, 1979, 1985, 1989, 2007;
editorially revised 1961, 1967, 1974,
1981, 1983, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2005,
2008; editorially revised and reaffirmed
1994, 2002. Related to ISO 105-E04.
1. Purpose and Scope

1.1 This test method is used to determine the fastness of colored textiles to
the effects of acid perspiration. It is applicable to dyed, printed or otherwise colored textile fibers, yarns and fabrics of all
kinds and to the testing of dyestuffs as
applied to textiles.
1.2 Work by Committee RA52 showed
this test will correlate with limited field

studies. Prior to this there were acid and
alkaline tests; however, as a result of
these studies the alkaline test was eliminated (see 13.1).
2. Principle

2.1 A specimen of colored textile in
contact with other fiber materials (for
color transfer) is wet out in simulated
acid perspiration solution, subjected to a
fixed mechanical pressure and allowed to
dry slowly at a slightly elevated temperature. After conditioning, the specimen is
evaluated for color change and the other
fiber materials are evaluated for color
transfer.

turers MUST be consulted for specific
details such as material safety data sheets
and other manufacturer’s recommendations. All OSHA standards and rules
must also be consulted and followed.
4.1 Follow good laboratory practices.
Wear safety glasses in all laboratory
areas.
4.2 All chemicals should be handled
with care.
4.3 Observe padder safety. Normal
safe guards on pad should not be removed. Ensure adequate guard at the nip
point. A foot operated kick off is recommended for a motorized padder.
5. Apparatus, Materials and Reagents
(see 13.2)

5.1 Perspiration tester (plastic or glass
plates are available with the equipment)
(see Figs. 1 and 2).
5.2 Drying oven—convection.
5.3 Balance with a weighing accuracy
of ± 0.001 g.
5.4 Multifiber test fabric (8 mm [0.33
in.] filling bands) containing acetate, cotton, nylon, silk, viscose rayon and wool
shall be used for specimens containing
silk. Multifiber test fabric (8 mm [0.33
in.] filling bands) containing acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic and wool
shall be used with specimens with no silk
present (see 13.3).
5.5 pH meter accurate to ± 0.01.
5.6 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale or Gray Scale for Staining
(see 13.4).

3. Terminology

3.1 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of
a material to change in any of its color
characteristics, to transfer of its colorant(s) to adjacent materials or both, as a
result of the exposure of the material to
any environment that might be encountered during the processing, testing, storage or use of the material.
3.2 perspiration, n.—a saline fluid secreted by the sweat glands.
4. Safety Precautions

NOTE: These safety precautions are
for information purposes only. The precautions are ancillary to the testing procedures and are not intended to be all inclusive. It is the user’s responsibility to use
safe and proper techniques in handling

materials in this test method. Manufac-

22

5.7 Gray Scale for Color Change (see
13.4).
5.8 Wringer.
5.9 White AATCC Blotting Paper (see
13.4).
5.10 Acid perspiration solution.
6. Preparation of Reagent

6.1 Prepare the acid perspiration solution by filling a 1 L volumetric flask half
full of distilled water. Add the following
chemicals and mix to be sure that all
chemicals are thoroughly dissolved:
10 ± 0.01 g sodium chloride (NaCl)
1 ± 0.01 g lactic acid, USP 85%
1 ± 0.01 g sodium phosphate, dibasic,
anhydrous (Na2HPO4)
0.25 ± 0.001 g l-histidine monohydrochloride (C6H9N3O2⋅HCl⋅H2O)
Fill the volumetric flask with distilled
water to the 1 L mark.
6.2 Test the pH of the solution with a
pH meter. If it is not 4.3 ± 0.2 discard it
and prepare a new one, making sure all
ingredients are weighed accurately. The
use of pH test paper is not recommended
for this purpose because of its lack of
accuracy.

6.3 Do not use perspiration solution
that is more than three days old (see
13.5).
7. Verification

7.1 Verification checks on the operation of the test and apparatus should be
made routinely and the results kept in a
log. The following observations and corrective actions are extremely important to
avoid incorrect test results.
7.2 Use an in-house perspiration fabric
with a mid-range visual grade on the
most heavily stained stripe of the multifiber cloth as a calibration specimen and
conduct a perspiration test using three
specimens. Verification checks should be
performed periodically as well as each
time a new lot of multifiber or undyed adjacent fabric is used.
7.2.1 Non-uniform color transfer may
be due to improper wet-out procedures or
may be a result of uneven pressure on the
specimens due to warped plates in the
tester. Check the wet-out procedures to
be sure that the balance is accurate and
that the procedure is being carefully followed. Check all plates to be sure they
are in good condition and not warped.
8. Test Specimens

Fig. 1—Horizontal perspiration tester.

8.1 Number and size of specimens.

TM 15-2009

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


Fig. 2—Vertical perspiration tester.

8.1.1 If the specimen to be tested is a
fabric, attach a piece of multifiber adjacent fabric measuring 5 × 5 ± 0.2 cm to
the specimen measuring 6 × 6 ± 0.2 cm
by sewing along one of the shorter sides,
with the multifiber fabric next to the face
of the specimen.
8.1.2 If the specimen to be tested is a
yarn or loose fiber, take a mass of the
yarn or loose fiber approximately equal
to one half of the combined mass of the
adjacent fabrics. Place it between a 5 × 5
± 0.2 cm piece of multifiber fabric and a
6 × 6 ± 0.2 cm piece of the non-dyeable
fabric, and sew along all four sides.
8.1.3 Do not use multifiber test fabric
that has fused edges because it might
have thickness variations at the edges
which would cause uneven compression
during testing.
9. Procedure

9.1 Place each test specimen (as prepared in 8.1 and 8.2) in a 9 cm diameter,

2 cm deep petri dish. Add freshly prepared perspiration solution to a depth of
1.5 cm in the petri dish. Soak the test
specimen in the solution for 30 ± 2 min
with occasional agitation and squeezing
to ensure complete wetting. For fabrics
hard to wet out, alternately wet the specimen and pass it through the wringer until
it is completely penetrated by the solution.
9.2 After 30 ± 2 min, pass each test
specimen assembly through the wringer
with the multifiber stripes perpendicular
to the length of the wringer rolls (all
stripes go through the wringer at the same
time). Weigh each test specimen to be
sure it weighs 2.25 ± 0.05 times its original weight. Because certain fabrics may
not be able to retain this amount of solution when passing through a wringer,
such fabrics may be tested after blotting
to the required wet pickup with White
AATCC Blotting Paper (see 13.4). To obtain consistent results all specimens of a
given construction in a test series should
have identical pickup, as the degree of
staining increases with the amount of retained solution.

9.3 Place each test specimen assembly
on a marked plexiglass or glass plate with
the multifiber stripes running perpendicular to the long dimension of the plate.
9.4 Depending upon equipment available, use the following alternates:
9.4.1 Horizontal Perspiration Tester:
Place the plates in the perspiration tester
with the specimen assemblies evenly distributed between the 21 plates. Place all
21 plates into the unit regardless of the

number of specimens. After placing the
final plate in position (on top) set the dual
plates with compensating springs in position, place the 3.63 kg (8.0 lb) weight on
top making a total of 4.54 kg (10.0 lb) under the pressure plate, and lock the pressure plate in position by turning the
thumb screws. Remove the weight and
place the unit lying on its side in the oven.
9.4.2 Vertical Perspiration Tester: Assemble the plates in the perspiration
tester with the specimens evenly distributed between the 21 plates. Place all 21
plates into the unit regardless of the number of specimens. The plates are held in a
vertical position between an indicating
scale with a fixed metal plate at one end
and an adjustable metal plate at the other
end. Use the adjusting screw to exert a
4.54 kg (10.0 lb) force against the plates.
Lock the specimen unit containing the
test specimens with a set screw. Remove
the pressure gauge unit from the specimen unit and place the specimen unit in
the oven. Another specimen unit may be
added to the pressure gauge unit and the
loading procedure repeated.
9.5 Heat the loaded specimen unit in
an oven at 38 ± 1°C (100 ± 2°F) for 6 h ±
5 min. Check the oven temperature periodically to be sure it remains at the specified temperature throughout the test.
9.6 Remove the tester from the oven
and for each test specimen assembly, separate the multifiber fabric and, if used,
the adjacent fabric from the test fabric.
Place the multifiber fabric and test fabric
specimens separately on a wire screen in
a conditioned atmosphere (21 ± 1C, 70 ±
2F) and 65 ± 2% relative humidity overnight.

10. Evaluation

10.1 General—Unsatisfactory perspiration fastness may be due to bleeding or
migration of color or it may be due to
change in color of the dyed material. It
should be noted that objectionable
change in color may be encountered with
no apparent bleeding. On the other hand,
there may be bleeding with no apparent
change in color, or there may be both
bleeding and change in color.
10.2 Rate the effect on the color of the
test specimens by reference to the Gray
Scale for Color Change. (Usage of this
scale is discussed in Evaluation Procedure 1, see 13.4).
Grade 5—negligible or no change as
shown in Gray Scale Step 5.
Grade 4.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 4-5.
Grade 4—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 4.
Grade 3.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 3-4.
Grade 3—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 3.
Grade 2.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 2-3.
Grade 2—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 2.

Grade 1.5—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 1-2.
Grade 1—change in color equivalent
to Gray Scale Step 1.
10.3 Rate the staining on each fiber
type of the multifiber, and the undyed
original fabric if used, by means of the
Gray Scale for Staining or the 9-step
AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
(Usage of these scales is discussed in
AATCC Evaluation Procedures 2 and 8,
respectively, see 13.4.)
Grade 5—negligible or no color transfer.
Grade 4.5—color transfer equivalent to
Step 4-5 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 4.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
Grade 4—color transfer equivalent to
Step 4 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 4 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic

AATCC Technical Manual/2010

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Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

23


Transference Scale.
Grade 3.5—color transfer equivalent to

Step 3-4 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 3.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
Grade 3—color transfer equivalent to
Step 3 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 3 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
Transference Scale.
Grade 2.5—color transfer equivalent to
Step 2-3 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 2.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
Grade 2—color transfer equivalent to
Step 2 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 2 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
Transference Scale.
Grade 1.5—color transfer equivalent to
Step 1-2 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 1.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
Grade 1—color transfer equivalent to
Step 1 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Row 1 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
Transference Scale.
11. Report

11.1 Report the color change grade and
the staining grades for each fiber type in
the multifiber test sample and state which
scale (Gray Scale for Staining or 9-step
AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale)

24

was used in the staining evaluation (see
13.4).
12. Precision and Bias

12.1 Precision. Precision for this test
method has not been established. Until a
precision statement is generated for this
test method, use standard statistical techniques in making any comparisons of test
results for either within-laboratory or
between-laboratory averages.
12.2 Bias. The colorfastness to perspiration can be defined only in terms of a
test method. There is no independent
method for determining the true value.
As a means of estimating this property,
the method has no known bias.
13. Notes
13.1 Background information on the committee’s work and decision to eliminate the alkaline test was published in two articles in
Textile Chemist and Colorist: “Colorfastness
to Perspiration and Chemicals” (October
1974) and “Evaluating Colorfastness to Perspiration: Laboratory Test vs. Wear Test” (November 1974). Although the alkaline test has
been eliminated from this method, there may
be certain instances in foreign trade or special
end-uses that require the alkaline test. In these
instances the alkaline test should be run as in
AATCC Method 15-1973. For convenient ref-

erence the composition of the alkaline solution
is as follows: Alkaline Solution–10 g sodium
chloride; 4 g ammonium carbonate, USP; 1 g
sodium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous

(Na2HPO4); 0.25 g l-histidine monohydrochloride. Make up to one liter with distilled
water. This solution should give a pH of 8.0.
13.2 For potential equipment information
pertaining to this test method, please visit
the online AATCC Buyer’s Guide at http://
www.aatcc.org/bg. AATCC provides the possibility of listing equipment and materials sold
by its Corporate members, but AATCC does
not qualify, or in any way approve, endorse or
certify that any of the listed equipment or
materials meets the requirements in its test
methods.
13.3 The six fiber test fabrics without fused
edges should be used in this method.
13.4 The 9-step AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale, Gray Scale for Staining, Gray
Scale for Color Change and White AATCC
Blotting Paper are available from AATCC,
P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park NC
27709; tel: 919/549-8141; fax: 919/549-8933;
e-mail: ; web site: www.
aatcc.org.
13.5 Committee RR52 established that
fungi begin to grow in the acid perspiration
solution and that the pH gradually rises after
three days of storage under ambient room
temperatures, even when kept in a stoppered
solution bottle.
13.6 For very critical evaluations and in the
case of arbitration, ratings must be based on
the geometric Gray Scale for Staining.

TM 15-2009

AATCC Technical Manual/2010
Copyright © 2009 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists


AATCC Test Method 16-2004

Colorfastness to Light
Developed in 1964 by AATCC Committee RA50; revised 1971, 1974, 1978,
1981, 1982, 1990 (Supersedes AATCC
Test Methods 16-1987, 16A-1988, 16C1988, 16D-1988, 16E-1987, 16F-1988
and 16G-1985), 1993, 2003, 2004; reaffirmed 1977, 1998; editorially revised
1983, 1984, 1986, 1995, 1996, 2008.
Technically equivalent: Option 6-ISO
105-B01; Related to Option 3-ISO 105B02.

1. Purpose and Scope

1.1 This test method provides the general principles and procedures which are
currently in use for determining the colorfastness to light of textile materials.
The test options described are applicable
to textile materials of all kinds and for
colorants, finishes and treatments applied
to textile materials.
Test options included are:
1—Enclosed Carbon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light
2—Enclosed Carbon-Arc Lamp, Alternate Light and Dark
3—Xenon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light,
Black Panel Option

4—Xenon-Arc Lamp, Alternate Light
and Dark
5—Xenon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light,
Black Standard Option
6—Daylight Behind Glass
1.2 The use of these test options does
not imply, expressly or otherwise, an accelerated test for a specific application.
The relationship between any lightfastness test and the actual exposure in use
must be determined and agreed upon by
the contractual parties.
1.3 This test method contains the following sections that assist in the use and
implementation of the various options
for determining lightfastness of textile
materials.
Section
Terminology................................. 3
Safety Precautions ....................... 4
Uses and Limitations ................... 5
Apparatus and Materials.............. 6
Comparison Standards................. 7
Test Specimen Preparation .......... 8
Machine Operating Conditions ... 9
Calibration and Verification ........ 10-12
AATCC Fading Unit
Measurement............................ 13-14
Machine Exposure Procedures .... 15-18
Daylight Exposure Procedures .... 19-22
Evaluation of Results................... 23-27
Report .......................................... 28

Precision and Bias........................
References....................................
Notes ............................................
Appendix......................................

29-30
31
32
A-C

2. Principle

2.1 Samples of the textile material to
be tested and the agreed upon comparison
standard(s) are exposed simultaneously
to a light source under specified conditions. The colorfastness to light of the
specimen is evaluated by comparison of
the color change of the exposed portion
to the masked control portion of the test
specimen or unexposed original material
using the AATCC Gray Scale for Color
Change, or by instrumental color measurement. Lightfastness classification is
accomplished by evaluation versus a simultaneously exposed series of AATCC
Blue Wool Lightfastness Standards.
3. Terminology

3.1 AATCC Blue Wool Lightfastness
Standard, n.—one of a group of dyed
wool fabrics distributed by AATCC for
use in determining the amount of light

exposure of specimens during lightfastness testing (see 32.1).
3.2 AATCC Fading Unit (AFU), n.—
a specific amount of exposure made under the conditions specified in various
test methods where one AFU is onetwentieth (1/20) of the light-on exposure
required to produce a color change equal
to Step 4 on the Gray Scale for Color
Change or 1.7 ± 0.3 CIELAB units of
color difference on AATCC Blue Wool
Lightfastness Standard L4.
3.3 black-panel thermometer, n.—a
temperature measuring device, the sensing unit of which is coated with black
paint designed to absorb most of the radiant energy encountered in lightfastness
testing (see 32.2).
3.3.1 This device provides an estimation of the maximum temperature a specimen may attain during exposure to natural or artificial light. Any deviation from
the geometry of this device described in
32.2 may have an influence on the measured temperature.
3.4 black standard thermometer,
n.—a temperature measuring device, the
sensing unit of which is coated with black
material designed to absorb most of the
radiant energy encountered in lightfastness testing and is thermally insulated by
means of a plastic plate (see 32.2).
3.4.1 This device provides an estima-

tion of the maximum temperature a specimen may attain during exposure to natural or artificial light. Any deviation from
the geometry of the device described in
32.2 may have an influence on the measured temperature. The temperature measured by the black standard thermometer
will not be the same as that measured by
the black-panel thermometer; therefore,
they cannot be used interchangeably.

3.5 broad bandpass radiometer, n.—
a relative term applied to radiometers that
have a bandpass width of more than
20 nm at 50% of maximum transmittance
and can be used to measure irradiance at
wavelengths such as 300-400 nm or 300800 nm.
3.6 color change, n.—as used in colorfastness testing, a change in color of
any kind whether a change in lightness,
hue or chroma or any combination of
these, discernible by comparing the test
specimen with a corresponding untested
specimen.
3.7 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of
a material to change in any of its color
characteristics, to transfer of its colorant(s) to adjacent materials, or both as a
result of exposure of the material to any
environment that might be encountered
during the processing, testing, storage or
use of the material.
3.8 colorfastness to light, n.—the resistance of a material to a change in its
color characteristics as a result of exposure of the material to sunlight or an artificial light source.
3.9 infrared radiation, n.—radiant
energy for which the wavelengths of the
monochromatic components are greater
than those for visible radiation and less
than about 1 mm.
NOTE: The limits of the spectral range
of infrared radiation are not well defined
and may vary according to the user. Committee E-2.1.2 of the CIE distinguishes in
the spectral range between 780 nm and

1 mm:
IR-A
780-1400 nm
IR-B
1.4-3.0 µm
IR-C
3 µm to 1 mm
3.10 irradiance, n.—radiant power per
unit area incident on a receiver, typically
reported in watts per square meter, W/
(m2nm).
3.11 “L” designation, n.—the sequence number given each AATCC Blue
Wool Lightfastness Standard according to
the number of AATCC Fading Units required to produce a color change equal to
Step 4 on the AATCC Gray Scale for
Color Change.

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