AATCC Test Method 15-2002
Colorfastness to Perspiration
Developed in 1949 by AATCC Commit- and other manufacturer’s recommenda- 6. Preparation of Reagent
tee RR52; revised 1952, 1957, 1960, tions. All OSHA standards and rules
1962, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1997; must also be consulted and followed. 6.1 Prepare the acid perspiration solu-
reaffirmed 1967, 1979, 1985, 1989; ed- tion by filling a 1 L volumetric flask half
4.1 Follow good laboratory practices. full of distilled water. Add the following
itorially revised 1961, 1967, 1974, Wear safety glasses in all laboratory
1981, 1983, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2005; chemicals and mix to be sure that all
areas. chemicals are thoroughly dissolved:
editorially revised and reaffirmed 1994, 4.2 All chemicals should be handled
2002. Related to ISO 105-E04. 10 ± 0.01 g sodium chloride (NaCl)
with care. 1 ± 0.01 g lactic acid, USP 85%
4.3 Observe padder safety. Normal 1 ± 0.01 g sodium phosphate, dibasic,
safe guards on pad should not be re- anhydrous (Na2HPO4)
1. Purpose and Scope moved. Ensure adequate guard at the nip 0.25 ± 0.001 g A-histidine monohydro-
1.1 This test method is used to deter- point. A foot operated kick off is recom- chloride (C6H9N3O2⋅HCl⋅H2O) (see 13.6)
mine the fastness of colored textiles to mended for a motorized padder. Fill the volumetric flask with distilled
the effects of acid perspiration. It is appli- water to the 1 L mark.
cable to dyed, printed or otherwise col- 5. Apparatus, Materials and Reagents 6.2 Test the pH of the solution with a
ored textile fibers, yarns and fabrics of all pH meter. If it is not 4.3 ± 0.2 discard it
kinds and to the testing of dyestuffs as 5.1 AATCC Perspiration Tester, Per- and prepare a new one, making sure all
applied to textiles. spirometer or equivalent device (plastic ingredients are weighed accurately. The
1.2 Work by Committee RA52 showed or glass plates are available with the use of pH test paper is not recommended
this test will correlate with limited field equipment) (see 13.2 and Figs. 1 and 2). for this purpose because of its lack of
studies. Prior to this there were acid and 5.2 Drying oven—convection. accuracy.
alkaline tests; however, as a result of 5.3 Balance with a weighing accuracy 6.3 Do not use perspiration solution
these studies the alkaline test was elimi- of ± 0.001 g. that is more than three days old (see
nated (see 13.1). 13.7).
5.4 Multifiber test fabric No. 10 or FA
(see 13.3).
2. Principle 7. Verification
5.5 pH meter accurate to ± 0.01.
2.1 A specimen of colored textile in 5.6 9-step AATCC Chromatic Trans- 7.1 Verification checks on the opera-
contact with other fiber materials (for ference Scale or Gray Scale for Staining tion of the test and apparatus should be
color transfer) is wet out in simulated (see 13.4). made routinely and the results kept in a
acid perspiration solution, subjected to a 5.7 Gray Scale for Color Change (see log. The following observations and cor-
fixed mechanical pressure and allowed to 13.4). rective actions are extremely important to
dry slowly at a slightly elevated tempera- 5.8 Wringer (see 13.5). avoid incorrect test results.
ture. After conditioning, the specimen is 7.2 Use an in-house perspiration fabric
evaluated for color change and the other 5.9 White AATCC Blotting Paper (see
13.4). with a mid-range visual grade on the
fiber materials are evaluated for color most heavily stained stripe of the multifi-
transfer. 5.10 Acid perspiration solution.
ber cloth as a calibration specimen and
conduct a perspiration test using three
3. Terminology specimens. Verification checks should be
performed periodically as well as each
3.1 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of time a new lot of multifiber or undyed ad-
a material to change in any of its color jacent fabric is used.
characteristics, to transfer of its colo- 7.2.1 Non-uniform color transfer may
rant(s) to adjacent materials or both, as a be due to improper wet-out procedures or
result of the exposure of the material to may be a result of uneven pressure on the
any environment that might be encoun- specimens due to warped plates in the
tered during the processing, testing, stor- tester. Check the wet-out procedures to
age or use of the material. be sure that the balance is accurate and
3.2 perspiration, n.—a saline fluid se- that the procedure is being carefully fol-
creted by the sweat glands. lowed. Check all plates to be sure they
are in good condition and not warped.
4. Safety Precautions
NOTE: These safety precautions are 8. Test Specimen
for information purposes only. The pre- 8.1 Number and size of specimens.
cautions are ancillary to the testing proce- 8.1.1 Cut one 6 × 6 ± 0.2 cm specimen
dures and are not intended to be all inclu- from each sample and an equal size piece
sive. It is the user’s responsibility to use of multifiber test fabric. Do not use mul-
safe and proper techniques in handling tifiber test fabric that has fused edges be-
materials in this test method. Manufac- cause it might have thickness variations
turers MUST be consulted for specific at the edges which would cause uneven
details such as material safety data sheets Fig. 1—AATCC perspiration tester. compression during testing. If the fiber or
20 TM 15-2002 AATCC Technical Manual/2006
Copyright © 2005 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Fig. 2—Perspirometer.
fibers in the dyed fabric are not present in tributed between the 21 plates. Place all there may be bleeding with no apparent
the multifiber test fabric, also include a 21 plates into the unit regardless of the change in color, or there may be both
piece of undyed original material in the number of specimens. After placing the bleeding and change in color.
test. final plate in position (on top) set the dual 10.2 Rate the effect on the color of the
8.2 Preparation of specimens. plates with compensating springs in posi- test specimens by reference to the Gray
8.2.1 Sew or lay the multifiber test fab- tion, place the 3.63 kg (8.0 lb) weight on Scale for Color Change. (Usage of this
ric to the technical face of the test speci- top making a total of 4.54 kg (10.0 lb) un- scale is discussed in Evaluation Proce-
men and if used, the undyed original fab- der the pressure plate, and lock the pres- dure 1.)
ric, with the specimen between to make a sure plate in position by turning the Grade 5—negligible or no change as
sandwich assembly. thumb screws. Remove the weight and shown in Gray Scale Step 5.
place the unit lying on its side in the oven. Grade 4.5—change in color equivalent
9. Procedure 9.4.2 Perspirometer: Assemble the to Gray Scale Step 4-5.
plates in the perspiration tester with the Grade 4—change in color equivalent
9.1 Place each test specimen (as pre- specimens evenly distributed between the to Gray Scale Step 4.
pared in 8.1 and 8.2) in a 9 cm diameter, 21 plates. Place all 21 plates into the unit Grade 3.5—change in color equivalent
2 cm deep petri dish. Add freshly pre- regardless of the number of specimens. to Gray Scale Step 3-4.
pared perspiration solution to a depth of The plates are held in a vertical position Grade 3—change in color equivalent
1.5 cm in the petri dish. Soak the test between an indicating scale with a fixed to Gray Scale Step 3.
specimen in the solution for 30 ± 2 min metal plate at one end and an adjustable Grade 2.5—change in color equivalent
with occasional agitation and squeezing metal plate at the other end. Use the ad- to Gray Scale Step 2-3.
to ensure complete wetting. For fabrics justing screw to exert a 4.54 kg (10.0 lb) Grade 2—change in color equivalent
hard to wet out, alternately wet the speci- force against the plates. Lock the speci- to Gray Scale Step 2.
men and pass it through the wringer until men unit containing the test specimens Grade 1.5—change in color equivalent
it is completely penetrated by the solu- with a set screw. Remove the pressure to Gray Scale Step 1-2.
tion. gauge unit from the specimen unit and Grade 1—change in color equivalent
9.2 After 30 ± 2 min, pass each test place the specimen unit in the oven. An- to Gray Scale Step 1.
specimen assembly through the wringer other specimen unit may be added to the 10.3 Rate the staining on each fiber
with the multifiber stripes perpendicular pressure gauge unit and the loading pro- type of the multifiber, and the undyed
to the length of the wringer rolls (all cedure repeated. original fabric if used, by means of the
stripes go through the wringer at the same 9.5 Heat the loaded specimen unit in Gray Scale for Staining or the 9-step
time). Weigh each test specimen to be an oven at 38 ± 1°C (100 ± 2°F) for 6 h ± AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale.
sure it weighs 2.25 ± 0.05 times its origi- 5 min. Check the oven temperature peri- (Usage of these scales is discussed in
nal weight. Because certain fabrics may odically to be sure it remains at the speci- AATCC Evaluation Procedures 2 and 8,
not be able to retain this amount of solu- fied temperature throughout the test. respectively.)
tion when passing through a wringer, 9.6 Remove the tester from the oven Grade 5—negligible or no color trans-
such fabrics may be tested after blotting and for each test specimen assembly, sep- fer.
to the required wet pickup with White arate the multifiber fabric and, if used, Grade 4.5—color transfer equivalent to
AATCC Blotting Paper (see 13.4). To ob- the adjacent fabric from the test fabric. Step 4-5 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
tain consistent results all specimens of a Place the multifiber fabric and test fabric Row 4.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chro-
given construction in a test series should specimens separately on a wire screen in matic Transference Scale.
have identical pickup, as the degree of a conditioned atmosphere (21 ± 1°C, 65 ± Grade 4—color transfer equivalent to
staining increases with the amount of re- 5% RH) overnight. Step 4 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
tained solution. Row 4 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
9.3 Place each test specimen assembly 10. Evaluation Transference Scale.
on a marked plexiglass or glass plate with Grade 3.5—color transfer equivalent to
the multifiber stripes running perpendicu- 10.1 General—Unsatisfactory perspi- Step 3-4 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
lar to the long dimension of the plate. ration fastness may be due to bleeding or Row 3.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chro-
9.4 Depending upon equipment avail- migration of color or it may be due to matic Transference Scale.
able, use the following alternates: change in color of the dyed material. It Grade 3—color transfer equivalent to
9.4.1 AATCC Perspiration Tester: should be noted that objectionable Step 3 on the Gray Scale for Staining or
Place the plates in the perspiration tester change in color may be encountered with Row 3 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic
with the specimen assemblies evenly dis- no apparent bleeding. On the other hand, Transference Scale.
AATCC Technical Manual/2006 TM 15-2002 21
Copyright © 2005 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Grade 2.5—color transfer equivalent to between-laboratory averages. tel: 908/295-2262. Purchase an adequate num-
Step 2-3 on the Gray Scale for Staining or 12.2 Bias. The colorfastness to perspi- ber of plates with either unit for routine testing
Row 2.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chro- ration can be defined only in terms of a needs.
matic Transference Scale. test method. There is no independent 13.3 Multifiber test fabric is available from
Grade 2—color transfer equivalent to Testfabrics Inc., P.O. Box 26, 415 Delaware
method for determining the true value. St., W. Pittston PA 18643; tel: 570/603-0432;
Step 2 on the Gray Scale for Staining or As a means of estimating this property, fax: 570/603-0433; e-mail: testfabric@
Row 2 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic the method has no known bias. aol.com. Multifiber test fabric is also available
Transference Scale. from Textile Innovators Corp., div. of SDL At-
Grade 1.5—color transfer equivalent to las L.L.C., P.O. Box 8, 101 Forest St., Wind-
Step 1-2 on the Gray Scale for Staining or 13. Notes sor NC 27983; tel: 252/794-9703; fax: 252/
Row 1.5 on the 9-step AATCC Chro- 794-9704; e-mail: tic@sdlatlas.com. The six
13.1 Background information on the com-
matic Transference Scale. fiber test fabric #10 or FA without fused edges
mittee’s work and decision to eliminate the al-
Grade 1—color transfer equivalent to should be used in this method.
kaline test was published in two articles in
Step 1 on the Gray Scale for Staining or Textile Chemist and Colorist: “Colorfastness 13.4 The 9-step AATCC Chromatic Trans-
to Perspiration and Chemicals” (October ference Scale, Gray Scale for Staining, Gray
Row 1 on the 9-step AATCC Chromatic Scale for Color Change and White AATCC
Transference Scale. 1974) and “Evaluating Colorfastness to Per-
spiration: Laboratory Test vs. Wear Test” (No- Blotting Paper are available from AATCC,
vember 1974). Although the alkaline test has P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park NC
11. Report been eliminated from this method, there may 27709; tel: 919/549-8141; fax: 919/549-8933;
be certain instances in foreign trade or special e-mail: orders@aatcc.org.
11.1 Report the color change grade and end-uses that require the alkaline test. In these 13.5 A suitable wringer is the Atlas Motor-
the staining grades for each fiber type in instances the alkaline test should be run as in ized Laboratory Wringer available from SDL
the multifiber test sample and state which AATCC Method 15-1973. For convenient ref- Atlas L.L.C., 1813A Associate Lane, Char-
scale (Gray Scale for Staining or 9-step erence the composition of the alkaline solution lotte NC 28217; tel: 704/329-0911; fax: 704/
AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale) is as follows: Alkaline Solution–10 g sodium 329-0914; e-mail: info@sdlatlas.com.
was used in the staining evaluation (see chloride; 4 g ammonium carbonate, USP; 1 g 13.6 A-Histidine monohydrochloride can be
13.4). sodium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous purchased from Fisher Scientific; tel: 800-
(Na2HPO4); 0.25 g A-histidine monohydro- 766-7000.
chloride. Make up to one liter with distilled 13.7 Committee RR52 established that
12. Precision and Bias water. This solution should give a pH of 8.0. fungi begin to grow in the acid perspiration
13.2 The AATCC Perspiration Tester is solution and that the pH gradually rises after
12.1 Precision. Precision for this test three days of storage under ambient room
available from SDL Atlas L.L.C., 1813A
method has not been established. Until a Associate Lane, Charlotte NC 28217; tel: temperatures, even when kept in a stoppered
precision statement is generated for this 704/329-0911; fax: 704/329-0914; e-mail: solution bottle.
test method, use standard statistical tech- info@sdlatlas.com. The Perspirometer is 13.8 For very critical evaluations and in the
niques in making any comparisons of test available from The Orange Machine and Mfg. case of arbitration, ratings must be based on
results for either within-laboratory or Co., 1503 Bay Ave., Point Pleasant NJ 08742; the geometric Gray Scale for Staining.
22 TM 15-2002 AATCC Technical Manual/2006
Copyright © 2005 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
