Accreditation Scheme
NEXT TEST METHOD 4
COLOURFASTNESS TO WATER
Scope and Principle
To determine the resistance of the colour of textiles to water.
Next approved multifibre, type DW, is attached to the test specimen and is immersed in water, drained and placed between two plates under a specific
pressure and time in a testing device. Any change in colour of the specimen and staining of the multifibre is then assessed with the corresponding grey
scales for colour change and staining.
Apparatus
Perspirometer with weight piece (Note: The weight piece and two pressure plates with springs must total 5.0kg)
11 Acrylic Resin Plates: 11.5cm x 6cm x 0.15cm
Supply of 250ml Glass Beakers
Stirring Rod
Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 37°C (±2°C)
Next Approved Multifibre, type DW
Non-Dyeable Fabric e.g. polypropylene net
Digital Alarm Timer
Grey Scales Stain
Grey Scales Change
Colour Assessment Cabinet
Reagents
Distilled water or de-ionised water, grade 3
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Specimen Preparation
Fabrics:
Cut a specimen 10cm x 4cm along the length or width direction.
For multi-coloured fabrics, prints or stripes, all colours of the design should be in contact with all components of the multifibre.
Where it is not possible for all colours to be in contact with all components, more than one test specimen may be prepared.
For fabrics of different shade or fibre composition on face and back, both sides should be tested.
Avoid samples within 5cm of the selvedge.
Cut a piece of multifibre 4cm wide. The multifibre has selvedge and is approximately 10cm long.
Align the test specimens and multifibre and sew together along one short edge to form a composite specimen.
For contrasting coloured trims/components refer to Next Test Method 4a.
Yarns:
Specimens are wound on to a template 10cm in length, with the yarn parallel to this side, to form a hank. The amount of yarn taken should be
approximately equal to the mass of the multifibre.
Cut a piece of multifibre, 4cm wide. The multifibre has selvedge and is approximately 10cm in length.
Cut a piece of non-dyeable fabric (polypropylene net), 10cm by 4cm and sew this to the multifibre on all four sides whilst sandwiching the yarn
between.
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Buttons:
Cut a piece of multifibre 4cm wide. The multifibre has selvedges and is approximately 10cm in length.
Sew 1 button onto each fibre.
For contrasting coloured trims/components refer to Test Method (2A, 3A, 4A) depending on the method it is in.
The minimum performance requirement for any type of button is Grade 4.
Test Procedure
a) Place the perspirometer inside the incubator to pre-heat.
b) Immerse each composite specimen in distilled or de-ionised water in a 250ml beaker for 30 minutes at room temperature. Ensure that the
specimens are thoroughly wetted out by agitating the samples with a glass stirring rod.
c) Place a specimen onto a resin plate and draw across with the stirring rod to remove any air pockets. Place another resin plate on top of the
specimen to fully enclose it with the multifibre uppermost. Place a maximum of ten specimens into the perspirometer ensuring that each
specimen is separated by one resin plate.
Whether testing ten or fewer specimens, the maximum number of acrylic plates (11) must be loaded into the perspirometer.
d) Bring the pressure plates of the perspirometer down to rest on top of the resin plates and place the weight piece onto the pressure plate.
Tighten the securing screws without applying any further pressure. This is equal to a pressure of 12.5kPa being applied to the specimens.
e) Drain off any excess water.
f) Place the perspirometer on its base into the oven at 37 ± 2°C, for a period of 4 hours using a digital timer.
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g) On completion of the test remove the specimens from the oven and separate them from the resin plates.
h) Flat dry the specimens in an incubator or by lying on a screen at a temperature not exceeding 60°C.
For fabrics, open out the specimens, so that they are only in contact at the line of stitching.
For yarns, open out the specimen by removing the stitching on all sides except one of the shorter sides.
Important Note: If it is known that a specimen is likely to contaminate other specimens inside the perspirometer the test should be conducted
separately.
Evaluation of Results
After drying assess the specimens in a colour assessment cabinet under D65 Artificial Daylight (see Testing Guidelines, Part 2).
Assess colour staining of all components on the multifibre using the grey scale for assessing staining (see Testing Guidelines, Part 2).
Assess the change of shade on the original specimen compared to the tested specimen, using the grey scales for assessing change
(see Testing Guidelines, Part 2).
Test Report
Report the test method number and title.
Report the numerical ratings for colour staining on each component of the multifibre and change of shade on the test specimen.
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