Exploring AATCC standards for fabric colorfastness
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has developed a comprehensive set of test methods to assess the colorfastness of fabrics. These test methods evaluate a fabric's resistance to fading, staining, and other color changes caused by exposure to light, washing, dry cleaning, and other agents.
Here are some of the most common AATCC test methods for color fastness:
AATCC TM 8: Colorfastness to rubbing
This test method evaluates a fabric's resistance to color change and staining when rubbed against another surface. The fabric is rubbed against a white cloth under specified conditions after which the white cloth is evaluated for staining.
AATCC TM 15: Colorfastness to perspiration
This method evaluates the colorfastness of textiles to the effects of human perspiration.
AATCC TM 16: Colorfastness to light
This test method evaluates how fast a fabric fades when exposed to light. In this test method, the fabric is exposed to a light source for a specified amount of time, and then the change in color is compared to a grey scale to determine the degree of fading.
AATCC TM 61: Colorfastness to washing
This test method evaluates a fabric's resistance to color change and staining when washed. The fabric is laundered in a washing machine with specified conditions, such as water temperature, detergent type, and wash cycle. After washing, the fabric is evaluated for color change, staining, and crocking.
AATCC TM 162, 179: Colorfastness to drycleaning
These test methods evaluate a fabric's resistance to color change and staining when drycleaned. The fabric is drycleaned in a commercial drycleaning machine with specified conditions. After drycleaning, the fabric is evaluated for color change, staining, and crocking.
These are just a few of the many AATCC test methods used to determine the fabric’s color fastness. Test methods used for specific fabric depend on the intended end use of the fabric. For example, a fabric intended for use in upholstery will need to be more colorfast than a fabric s intended for use in a garment.
By using these AATCC test methods, manufacturers and consumers can ensure that their chosen fabrics meet expectations for colorfastness.