BIS Standard for determining color fastness of textile materials to water with IS 687:1979
Introduced by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), IS 687:1979, outlines a crucial method for assessing the color fastness of textile materials to water. This standard is instrumental in upholding the quality and durability of textile products, especially in evaluating how well fabrics retain their color when exposed to water, a common occurrence in daily use and laundering.
What is textiles’ color fastness to water
In textiles, color fastness to water is a vital quality parameter that directly impacts consumer satisfaction and product longevity. Fabrics with inadequate color fastness are likely to fade, bleed or lose the intensity of their color during washing or exposure to moisture, thereby compromising their aesthetic appeal and usability.
Standards like IS 687:1979 provide manufacturers, retailers, and consumers with a reliable framework to assess and compare textile materials based on their color stability under wet conditions.
A systematic approach
The IS 687:1979 standard prescribes a systematic approach to evaluate color fastness to water through rigorous testing procedures:
- Sample preparation: Textile samples are carefully cut to specified dimensions and mounted on a test card to ensure consistent testing conditions.
- Water bath preparation: A water bath is prepared with controlled temperature settings, typically ranging from 30°C to 60°C, tailored to the specific textile type and intended application.
- Testing procedure:
- The textile sample is immersed in the water bath for a predetermined duration, ensuring complete wetting of the specimen.
- After immersion, excess water is gently blotted from the sample using absorbent paper.
- The test card with the specimen is then dried under standardized conditions.
- Evaluation of color change: Once dried, the specimen undergoes evaluation against a standardized color scale to assess any changes in color, staining, or color transfer to adjacent materials. This evaluation provides a rating for the textile material's color fastness to water.
Application and importance
IS 687:1979 is applied extensively across the Indian textile industry for:
- Quality assurance: Manufacturers rely on this standard to ensure their products meet acceptable levels of color fastness to water before reaching the market.
- Consumer confidence: Retailers and consumers use color fastness testing to make informed decisions regarding product durability and performance.
- Regulatory compliance: Compliance with national standards such as IS 687:1979 is often mandatory for textile products, ensuring safety and reliability for end-users.
Serving as a pivotal standard in the textile industry, IS 687:1979 provides a systematic and dependable method to assess the color fastness of textile materials to water. By adhering to this standard, manufacturers can not only enhance the quality of their products but also meet regulatory requirements, and build consumer confidence.