Accreditation Scheme
NEXT TEST METHOD 1
COLOURFASTNESS TO ARTIFICIAL DAYLIGHT
Scope and Principle
This method is intended to determine the resistance of the colour of textiles to fade when exposed to artificial light, which is
representative of natural daylight.
A specimen of textile is exposed to artificial light under prescribed conditions, together with blue dyed wool standards. The fastness
is assessed by comparing the change in shade of the specimen with that of the blue standards.
Apparatus
Xenotest 220/220+ (see Appendix 1)
or
Alpha High Energy (see Appendix 1)
or
Alpha LM (see Appendix 1)
or
Xenotest 150s+ (see Appendix 1)
or
Xenotest 150 (see Appendix 1)
or
Xenotest 150s (see Appendix 1)
or
Apollo (see Appendix 1)
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Accreditation Scheme
Supply of Exposure Masks
Blue Wool Standards identified 1 to 8
Humidity Test Control Fabric ~ red azoic dyed cotton
Mounting Card (free from Optical Brightening Agents)
‘Black Panel’ Thermometer
or
Standard Black Thermometer
Digital Timer
Colour Assessment Cabinet (see Testing Guidelines, Part 2)
Grey Scale ~ Colour Change (see Testing Guidelines, Part 2)
Grading Mask with a 50 x 10mm slot
New light machine: Q-Sun model B02
Specimen Preparation
Fabrics:
Avoid specimens within 5cm of the selvedges.
Cut a specimen not less than 1cm x 4.5cm.
For multi-coloured fabrics, prints or stripes, all the colours of the design should be included. This may require cutting a larger
specimen than that specified, or several specimens.
Trim wide stripes to 1cm.
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Accreditation Scheme
Yarns:
Wind a single layer of yarn closely around the OBA free card to give a specimen width of 1cm.
Cut the OBA Free card to exactly fit the specimen holder, or use pre-cut card.
Staple the specimens face side up onto the OBA free card.
With each batch of specimens to be tested, mount one set of blue wool standards in sequential order from number 1 to the
light fastness performance requirement.
Each blue standard should be no less than 1cm x 4.5cm.
e.g.
for specimen fastness requirement to grade 4, use blue standards 1-4
for specimen fastness requirement to grade 5, use blue standards 1-5
for specimen fastness requirement to grade 6, use blue standards 1-6
NB. The same card can be used for both the specimens and standards.
Test Procedure
a) Place the card mounted with specimens into a specimen holder and cover with a mask which covers two thirds of the
specimen and leaves one third exposed.
b) Place the card with the blue wool standards into a specimen holder and cover with a mask which covers two thirds of the
specimen and leaves one third exposed.
c) Place the specimen holders into the light fastness tester.
d) Fill empty specimen holders with OBA free card to maintain consistent humidity levels inside the machine.
e) Start the light fastness tester and expose the specimens and blue standards.
f) Frequently inspect the blue wool standards using a colour assessment cabinet (with D65 Artificial Daylight and a grading
mask) until the exposed area compared with the unexposed area of the highest numbered blue wool standard has faded
equivalent to grey scale 4.
g) At this point remove all the specimens from the light fastness tester for assessment.
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Accreditation Scheme
Evaluation of Results
Using a colour assessment cabinet with D65 artificial daylight and a grading mask compare the change in shade of the exposed and
unexposed areas of the specimen to the exposed and unexposed areas of the blue wool standards.
The light fastness result is recorded as the number of the blue wool standard that corresponds to the same change in shade as the
tested specimen. Note: Half grades may be given.
If the specimen has not changed, or it is better than the change in shade of the highest numbered blue standard, the result is given
as that blue standard (+) e.g. no change for a specimen at a light fastness requirement of 6 would be recorded as 6+ at blue wool
standard 6.
Test Report
Report the test method number and title.
Report the numerical rating for light fastness of the tested specimen compared to the blue wool standards.
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Accreditation Scheme
Appendix 1
The Megasol, Alpha High Energy, Alpha LM, Xenotest 150, 150s, 150s+ and Apollo Light Fastness Testers, are all Xenon Arc, air
cooled machines and should be operated and run under the conditions as specified below.
a) Effective Humidity
The effect of the fading on specimens is very dependent on humidity and temperature, as well as the light from the xenon burner.
The specimen effective humidity should be checked using the Red Humidity Control Fabric.
Test Procedure
Whenever the humidity check is carried out, all specimen holders must be in place and OBA free card should be placed in the
specimen holders.
1) Cut a 1cm x 4.5cm specimen of the red humidity test control fabric and blue wool standard 5 and staple onto OBA free card.
Place into a sample holder and cover the centre one third with an exposure mask.
2) Expose the red humidity test fabric and blue standard in the light fastness testing machine until blue standard 5 has reached a
grey scale 4, between the exposed and unexposed area.
3) Assess the change of shade in a colour assessment cabinet under D65 Artificial Daylight, using the grading mask.
If the shade change of the red humidity test fabric is the same as that of blue wool standard 5 then the exposure condition is
correct.
If the shade change of the red humidity test fabric is more than that of blue wool standard 5, at shade change 4, then the
humidity is higher than the required condition.
If the shade change of the red humidity test fabric is less than that of blue wool standard 5, at shade change 4, then the humidity
is lower than the required condition.
4) Adjust the humidity controls on the apparatus to give the correct exposure conditions.
5) Repeat steps 1) to 4) to ensure the adjustments made give the correct exposure conditions.
Note: The adjustment of the humidity conditions should be performed monthly and recorded.
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Accreditation Scheme
b) Effective Temperature
The ‘Black Panel’ thermometer should be a maximum of 45ºC. Place the ‘Black Panel’ thermometer in the machine and run
for a period not exceeding 20 minutes. Use a timer to check this. Note the temperature after 20 minutes.
The thermal conductivity of the standard black thermometer differs from the ‘Black Panel’ thermometer and a maximum of
50°C is permitted.
Note: All specimen holders should be in place in the light fastness testing machine whenever a temperature check is made.
c) Xenotest 150+ Only
This model of light fastness tester has the option to run with a Xenocal Unit (this unit measures the irradiance). It is not
necessary to run the equipment with this in place.
d) Apollo Only
This model of light fastness tester has two options available;
1) Nominal Power Mode – Nominal power should be set to 1700 watts.
Note: The SolarSens is not required.
2) Controlled Irradiance Mode – Select 300 – 400nm sensor and set power level to 42 w/m².
Note: The SolarSens lens is required.
e) Infra Red Filters
There are 7 Infra Red Filters which filter the heat. These should be replaced every 3,500 hours. It is recommended that not
all the filters are replaced at the same time. Replace only one filter, in rotation every 500 hours. This will maintain the
efficient working of the equipment. The filters should be cleaned as recommended by the manufacturer.
f) Borosilicate Cylinder
This should be cleaned as recommended by manufacturer.
g) Specimen Rotation
The specimen holders should rotate on a carousel around the xenon burner and filters and turn once through 180º at the end
of each rotation.
The Alpha LM, Alpha HE and Xenotest 150s+ run on controlled irradiance at or equivalent to 42 w/m².
NB. For full details on setting up the equipment refer to the Manufacturers Equipment Handbook.
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