AATCC TM61-2013e(2020)

Test Method for Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated

1. Purpose and Scope and/or stains by treatment (washing) with ference Scale (AATCC EP8) (see 12.4).
an aqueous detergent solution and nor- 5.2.2 Gray Scale for Color Change
1.1 These accelerated laundering tests mally including subsequent rinsing, ex- (AATCC EP1) (see 12.4).
are to evaluate the colorfastness to laun- tracting and drying. 5.2.3 Gray Scale for Staining (AATCC
dering of textiles which are expected to EP2) (see 12.4).
withstand frequent laundering. The fabric 5.3 Reagents and materials.
4. Safety Precautions
color loss and surface changes resulting
5.3.1 Multifiber test fabrics (8 mm
from detergent solution and abrasive ac- NOTE: These safety precautions are [0.33 in.] bands) containing acetate, cot-
tion of five typical hand or home launder- for information purposes only. The pre- ton, nylon, silk, viscose rayon and wool.
ings, with or without chlorine, are cautions are ancillary to the testing proce- Multifiber test fabrics (8 mm [0.33 in.]
roughly approximated by one 45 min test dures and are not intended to be all inclu- bands) and (15 mm [0.6 in.] bands) con-
(see 9.2-9.6). However, the staining ef- sive. It is the user’s responsibility to use taining acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester,
fect produced by five typical hand or safe and proper techniques in handling acrylic and wool (see 12.5).
home launderings cannot always be pre- materials in the test method. Manufactur-
dicted by the 45 min test. Staining is a 5.3.2 Bleached cotton test fabric, 32 ×
ers MUST be consulted for specific de- 32 ends × picks/cm (80 × 80 ends ×
function of the ratio of colored to undyed tails such as material safety data sheets
fabrics, fiber content of fabrics in the picks/in.) construction, 100 ± 3 g/m2 (3.0
and other manufacturer’s recommenda- ± 0.1 oz/yd2), desized without optical
wash load and other end-use conditions tions. All OSHA standards and rules
which are not always predictable. brightener (see 12.5).
must also be consulted and followed. 5.3.3 1993 AATCC Standard Refer-
1.2 When this test method was origi- 4.1 Good laboratory practices should ence Detergent WOB (without optical
nally developed, various options of this be followed. Wear safety glasses in all brightener and without phosphate) or
method were intended to evaluate the laboratory areas. 2003 AATCC Standard Reference Liquid
color change and staining by five home 4.2 All chemicals should be handled Detergent WOB (without optical bright-
or commercial launderings, on an accel- with care. eners) (see 10.5 and 12.6).
erated basis. Throughout the years, com- 4.3 The 1993 AATCC Standard Refer-
mercial laundering procedures have 5.3.4 1993 AATCC Standard Refer-
ence Detergent (with and without optical
changed and commercial cleaning today ence Detergent (with optical brighteners)
brighteners) and the 2003 AATCC Stan-
involves many different types of pro- or 2003 AATCC Standard Reference Liq-
dard Reference Liquid Detergent (with uid Detergent (with optical brighteners)
cesses, dependent on the type of product and without optical brighteners) may
being cleaned that cannot be duplicated (see 10.5 and 12.6).
cause irritation. Care should be taken to
by one accelerated laboratory procedure. 5.3.5 Water, distilled or deionized (see
prevent exposure to skin and eyes.
In 2005, all references to commercial 12.7).
4.4 An eyewash/safety shower should
laundering were removed as it is not be located nearby for emergency use. 5.3.6 Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)
known if these procedures accurately rep- 4.5 Manufacturer’s safety recommen- bleach (see 12.8).
licate typical commercial laundering pro- dations should be followed when operat- 5.3.7 Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), 10% (see
cesses used today. ing laboratory testing equipment. 12.8.1).
5.3.8 Potassium iodide (KI), 10% (see
12.8.1).
2. Principle 5. Apparatus, Reagents and Materials
5.3.9 Sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3),
(see 12.1)
2.1 Specimens are tested under appro- 0.1N (see 12.8.1).
priate conditions of temperature, deter- 5.1 Accelerated laundering machine. 5.3.10 Crockmeter test cloth cut in 50
gent solution, bleaching and abrasive ac- 5.1.1 A laundering machine for rotat- mm (2 in.) squares (see 12.9).
tion such that the color change is similar ing closed canisters in a thermostatically 5.3.11 White cards (specimen mounts)
to that occurring in five hand or home controlled water bath at 40 ± 2 rpm. with Y tristimulus value at least 85%.
launderings. The color change is obtained 5.1.2 Stainless steel lever lock canis-
in a conveniently short time. The abra- ters Type 1 500 mL (1 pt), 75 × 125 mm 6. Test Specimens
sive action is a result of the frictional ef- (3.0 × 5.0 in.) for Test No. 1A.
fects of fabric against canister, the low li- 5.1.3 Stainless steel lever lock canisters 6.1 The sizes of the specimens required
quor ratio and the impact of the steel balls Type 2 1200 mL, 90 × 200 mm (3.5 × 8.0 for the various tests are as follows:
on the fabric. in.) for Tests No. 1B, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A. 50 × 100 mm (2.0 × 4.0 in.) for Test
5.1.4 Adapter plates for holding canisters No. 1A,
3. Terminology (see 5.1.3) on laundering machine shaft. 50 × 150 mm (2.0 × 6.0 in.) for Tests
5.1.5 Stainless steel balls, 6 mm (0.25 No. 1B, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A.
3.1 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of in.) in diameter. 6.2 Test only one specimen in each
a material to change in any of its color 5.1.6 White Synthetic (SBR) Rubber canister.
characteristics, to transfer of its color- Balls 9-10 mm (3/8 in.) dia. 70 Durome- 6.2.1 Test one specimen per laboratory
ant(s) to adjacent materials or both, as a ter hardness for Test 1B (see 12.1) sample. Replication may be advisable for
result of the exposure of the material to 5.1.7 Teflon fluorocarbon gaskets (see improved precision.
any environment that might be encoun- 7.4.2 and 12.2). 6.3 To determine staining in Tests No.
tered during the processing, testing, stor- 5.1.8 Preheater/storage module (see 1A and 2A, use multifiber test fabric. To
age or use of the material. 7.4, 12.1 and 12.3). determine staining in Test No. 3A, use ei-
3.2 laundering, n.—of textile mate- 5.2 Scales for rating test results. ther multifiber test fabric or bleached cot-
rials, a process intended to remove soils 5.2.1 AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Trans- ton test fabric. With respect to Test No. 3A,

114 AATCC TM61-2013e(2020) AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2021
Copyright © 2020 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
the use of multifiber test fabric is optional or squares of bleached cotton test fabric use of the laundering machine or the pre-
but the staining of acetate, nylon, polyester having approximately the same weight heater/storage unit. If the canisters are to
and acrylic is disregarded unless one of folded over each end of the layered yarn be preheated in the laundering machine,
these fibers is present in the fabric being specimen. Attach a multifiber test fabric proceed to 7.4.2.
tested or known to be in the final garment. according to 6.4.1 or 6.4.2. 7.4.1 Place the canisters in the pre-
For Test 3A, multifiber test fabric with heater module at the prescribed test tem-
heat-sealed edges is recommended. Stain- perature. They are to remain in the
ing is not determined in Tests No. 4A and 7. Procedure module for at least 2 min. Enter a well
5A (see 12.10 and 12.11). crumpled test specimen into each canister.
7.1 Table I summarizes the conditions
6.4 Specimen preparation. of the tests. 7.4.2 Clamp the covers on the canis-
6.4.1 Preparation with multifiber test 7.2 Adjust the laundering machine to ters. A Teflon fluorocarbon gasket (see
fabric with individual component bands maintain the designated bath tempera- 5.1.6) may be inserted between the neo-
8 mm (0.33 in.) wide or with bleached ture. Prepare the required volume of prene gasket and the top of each canister
cotton test fabric. Prepare pieces with a wash liquor. Preheat this solution to the to prevent contamination of the wash so-
50 mm (2.0 in.) square of multifiber test prescribed temperature. lution by the neoprene. Fasten the 75 ×
fabric cloth or bleached cotton test fabric 125 mm (3.0 × 5.0 in.) lever lock canis-
7.3 Run Test No. 1A in 75 × 125 mm
(as required) sewn, stapled or suitably ters vertically and the 90 × 200 mm (3.5
(3.0 × 5.0 in.) lever lock stainless steel
attached along one 50 mm (2.0 in.) edge × 8.0 in.) lever lock canisters horizontally
canisters. Run Tests No. 2A, 3A, 4A and
of the test specimen and in contact with in the adapters on the rotor of the laun-
the face of the material. When multifiber 5A in 90 × 200 mm (3.5 × 8.0 in.) lever
dering machine in such a manner that
lock stainless steel canisters.
test fabric is used, attach it so that each of when the canisters rotate, the covers
the six fiber bands is along the 50 mm 7.3.1 For Tests No. 1A, 1B, 2A and strike the water first. Place an equal num-
(2.0 in.) edge of the specimen with the 3A, add to the canister the amount of de- ber of canisters on each side of the shaft.
wool on the right. The fiber bands in the tergent solution designated in Table I. For canisters preheated in the module,
multifiber test fabric will be parallel to the 7.3.2 For Test No. 4A, prepare a 1500 proceed to 7.7.
lengthwise direction of the test specimen. ppm available chlorine solution. For 1 L, 7.5 Start the rotor and run it for at least
6.4.2 Preparation with multifiber test determine the amount of stock sodium 2 min to preheat the canisters.
fabric with individual component bands hypochlorite bleach solution (see 12.8) to
dilute as follows: 7.6 Stop the rotor and with a row of
15 mm (0.6 in.) wide. Prepare pieces with canisters in an upright position, unclamp
a 50 × 100 mm (2.0 × 4.0 in.) rectangle of 159.4/% NaOCl = g to add the cover of one canister, enter a well
multifiber test fabric sewn, stapled or Weigh the correct amount of bleach into a crumpled test specimen into the solution
suitably attached centered along one 100 volumetric flask and dilute to 1 L. To and replace the cover, but do not clamp it.
mm (4.0 in.) or 150 mm (6.0 in.) edge of each canister, add 5 mL of 1500 ppm Repeat this operation until all the canis-
the test specimen and in contact with the available chlorine solution and 45 mL of ters in the row have been loaded. Then
face of the material. Attach it so that each detergent solution making a total volume clamp the covers in the same order in
of the six fiber bands will be parallel to of 50 mL. which the canisters were loaded (delay
the widthwise direction of the specimen. 7.3.3 For Test No. 5A, determine the clamping the covers to allow equalization
Attach and secure the wool band at the amount of stock sodium hypochlorite of pressure). Repeat this operation until
top of the specimen to avoid fiber loss. bleach solution (see 12.8) to dilute as all rows of canisters have been loaded.
6.4.3 It is recommended that knitted follows: 7.7 Start the laundering machine and
fabrics be sewn or stapled at the four run it at 40 ± 2 rpm for 45 min.
edges to equivalent size pieces of 4.54/% NaOCl = g to add
7.8 The rinsing, extracting and drying
bleached cotton test fabric to avoid rolled Weigh the correct amount of bleach into a procedures are the same for all the tests.
edges and to assist in obtaining a uniform graduated cylinder and add detergent so- Stop the machine, remove the canisters
test result over the entire surface. Attach lution to make a total volume of 150 mL. and empty the contents into beakers,
the multifiber test fabric to the face of the Prepare this solution separately for each keeping each test specimen in a separate
knitted fabric. canister. beaker. Rinse each test specimen three
6.4.4 For pile fabric specimens with a 7.3.4 For all the tests, add the desig- times, in beakers, in distilled or deionized
pile lay direction, attach the multifiber nated number of stainless steel balls or water at 40 ± 3°C (105 ± 5°F) for 1 min
test fabric at the top of the specimen with white rubber balls to each canister. periods with occasional stirring or hand
the pile lay direction pointing away from 7.4 The two options for preheating the squeezing. To remove excess water, cen-
the top of the specimen. canisters to the test temperature are by trifuge, blot or pass the test specimens
6.5 When the textile to be tested is
yarn, specimens may be tested using Op-
tion 1 or Option 2. Table I—Test Conditions a
6.5.1 Option 1. Knit yarn on an appro- Percent Percent Percent
priate sample knitting machine. Prepare Temp Total Powder Liquid Available
specimens and multifiber test fabrics ac- Liquor Detergent Detergent Chlorine No. No. of
cording to 6.1-6.4.3. Keep one knitted Test Volume of Total of Total of Total Steel Rubber Time
specimen of each sample as an unwashed No.b °C (± °2) °F (± °4) (mL) Volume Volume Volume Balls Balls (Min)
original. 1A 40 105 200 0.37 0.56 None 10 0 45
b
6.5.2 Option 2. Prepare two 110 m 1Bc 31 88 150 0.37 0.56 None 0 10 20
(120 yd) skeins of each yarn. Fold the 2A 49 120 150 0.15 0.23 None 50 0 45
skein so that there is a uniform amount of 3A 71 160 50 0.15 0.23 None 100 0 45
4A 71 160 50 0.15 0.23 0.015 100 0 45
yarn across a 50 mm (2 in.) width with a
5A 49 120 150 0.15 0.23 0.027 50 0 45
length appropriate for the procedure to be
used. Keep one skein of each sample as a
Refer to Section 9 for objectives for each test method.
an unwashed original. Sew or staple b
All Tests include an alternate use for 2003 AATCC Standard Liquid Detergent.
Crockmeter test cloth squares (see 12.9) c
Test 1B provides for the use of White Rubber Balls instead of Stainless Steel Balls.

AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2021 AATCC TM61-2013e(2020) 115
Copyright © 2020 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists