Measuring Colorfastness to Water and ensuring textile quality and durability

In the textile industry, one of the most essential aspects of fabric performance is its resistance to water exposure. Established by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), the AATCC TM107 test method evaluates a fabric's colorfastness to water, helping manufacturers ensure that dyes remain stable and do not bleed or fade when wet.

AATCC TM107 is a standardized laboratory test used to determine the resistance of dyed or printed textiles to water. This test simulates conditions under which fabrics might get wet and assesses whether the dye transfers to other fabrics or fades. This method is particularly important for garments like swimwear, athletic wear, and rainwear, where frequent water exposure is expected.

Sample preparation and assembly

The AATCC TM107 test follows a detailed, controlled procedure designed to provide consistent and reliable results:

The process begins with preparing a precisely cut specimen of the colored textile. This specimen is then placed in intimate contact with a multifiber test fabric. This special fabric contains strips of six common textile fibers: acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic, and wool. This allows for a comprehensive assessment of how dye might transfer to various materials that could come into contact with the colored textile in real-world use. For loose fibers or yarns, they are sandwiched between the multifiber fabric and an undyed adjacent fabric.

Controlled wetting

Next, the entire specimen assembly is thoroughly wetted using distilled or deionized water at room temperature. Using purified water is crucial to eliminate any variables introduced by impurities found in tap water, which could unpredictably influence dye stability. The goal is to achieve a consistent saturation level, typically ensuring the wet weight is 2.5 to 3.0 times the specimen’s dry weight.

Pressure and temperature exposure

Following wetting, the saturated assembly is carefully placed between two inert plates (usually glass or plastic) within a specialized apparatus called a perspiration tester (or perspirometer). A precisely calibrated weight then applies a specific pressure on the specimen—typically 4.54 kilograms (10.0 pounds). This pressure simulates the localized contact and compression that a wet textile might experience when worn or stacked.

The entire apparatus, with the pressurized specimen assembly, is then transferred to a controlled oven. Here, it’s subjected to a constant temperature of 38 ± 1 °C (100 ± 2 °F) for a duration of 18 hours. This combination of controlled temperature and pressure creates an accelerated environment that drives any potential color migration or degradation.

Drying and evaluation

After the 18-hour exposure, the specimen and multifiber fabric are carefully separated and dried individually under standard atmospheric conditioning. The final and most critical phase is evaluating the results. Both the test specimen and the multifiber fabric are assessed visually using standardized tools: the AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change and the AATCC Gray Scale for Staining. These scales provide a numerical rating from 5 down to 1, ensuring objective and universally understood results. For higher precision, instrumental color measurement (e.g., using a spectrophotometer) can also be employed.

Applications

AATCC TM107 is widely used across the entire textile supply chain, from fiber producers to garment manufacturers and quality control labs. It is especially relevant for:

• Apparel that frequently comes into contact with moisture, such as activewear, swimwear, and children's clothing.
• Home textiles like bed linens, curtains, and upholstery, which might encounter spills or require regular washing.
• Industrial fabrics used in humid or wet environments where color stability is essential for performance and longevity.

Many brands use AATCC TM107 as a part of their internal quality assurance protocols to meet consumer expectations and reduce product liability. Its technical equivalence to the international standard ISO 105-E01 facilitates consistent testing and trade across borders. In this competitive textile industry, AATCC TM107 remains a trusted tool for evaluating water-related colorfastness, ensuring that colored textiles remain vibrant and reliable through all of life's watery encounters.