AATCC TM15-2021

Test Method for Colorfastness to Perspiration

1. Purpose and Scope sive. It is the user’s responsibility to use
safe and proper techniques in handling
1.1 This test method is used to deter- materials in this test method. Manufac-
mine the fastness of colored textiles to turers MUST be consulted for specific
the effects of acid perspiration. It is appli- details such as material safety data sheets
cable to dyed, printed or otherwise col- and other manufacturer’s recommenda-
ored textile fibers, yarns and fabrics of all tions. All OSHA standards and rules
kinds and to the testing of dyestuffs as must also be consulted and followed.
applied to textiles.
4.1 Follow good laboratory practices.
1.2 Work by Committee RA52 showed
Wear safety glasses in all laboratory areas.
this test will correlate with limited field
studies. Prior to this there were acid and 4.2 All chemicals should be handled
alkaline tests; however, as a result of with care.
these studies the alkaline test was elimi- 4.3 Observe wringer safety. Normal
nated (see 13.1). safe guards on pad should not be re-
moved. Ensure adequate guard at the nip
2. Principle point. A foot operated kick off is recom-
mended for a motorized wringer.
2.1 A specimen of colored textile in
contact with other fiber materials (for 5. Apparatus, Materials and Reagents
color transfer) is wet out in simulated acid (see 13.2)
perspiration solution, subjected to a fixed
5.1 Perspiration tester (with acrylic Fig. 1—Horizontal perspiration tester.
mechanical pressure and allowed to dry
slowly at a slightly elevated temperature. plates) (see Figs. 1 and 2).
After conditioning, the specimen is eval- 5.2 Drying oven—convection.
uated for color change and the other fiber 5.3 Balance with a weighing accuracy 5.9 White AATCC Textile Blotting Pa-
materials are evaluated for color transfer. of ± 0.001 g. per (see 13.4).
5.4 Cold cut Multifiber test fabric (8 5.10 Acid perspiration solution.
3. Terminology mm [0.33 in.] bands) containing acetate, 5.11 Petri dish with a depth greater
cotton, nylon, silk, viscose rayon and than 1.5 cm and capable of containing a 6
3.1 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of wool shall be used for specimens contain- × 6 ± 0.2 cm test specimen
a material to change in any of its color ing silk. Multifiber test fabric (8 mm 5.12 Un-dyed adjacent fabric
characteristics, to transfer of its colo-
[0.33 in.] bands) containing acetate, cot-
rant(s) to adjacent materials or both, as a
ton, nylon, polyester, acrylic and wool 6. Preparation of Reagent
result of the exposure of the material to
shall be used with specimens with no silk
any environment that might be encoun- 6.1 Prepare the acid perspiration solu-
present (see 13.3).
tered during the processing, testing, stor- tion by filling a 1 L volumetric flask half
age or use of the material. 5.5 pH meter accurate to ± 0.01.
5.6 AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Trans- full of distilled water. Add the following
3.2 perspiration, n.—a saline fluid se- chemicals and mix to be sure that all
creted by the sweat glands. ference Scale (AATCC Evaluation Proce-
dure 8) or Gray Scale for Staining chemicals are thoroughly dissolved:
(AATCC Evaluation Procedure 2) (see 10 ± 0.01 g sodium chloride (NaCl)
4. Safety Precautions 1 ± 0.01 g lactic acid, USP 85%
13.4).
NOTE: These safety precautions are 5.7 Gray Scale for Color Change 1 ± 0.01 g sodium phosphate, dibasic,
for information purposes only. The pre- (AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1 or 7) anhydrous (Na2HPO4)
cautions are ancillary to the testing proce- (see 13.4). 0.25 ± 0.001 g -histidine monohydro-
dures and are not intended to be all inclu- 5.8 Wringer. chloride (C6H9N3O2⋅HCl⋅H2O)

Fig. 2—Vertical perspiration tester.

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Copyright © 2021 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
 Fill the volumetric flask with distilled freshly prepared perspiration solution to a (8.0 lb) weight on top making a total of
water to the 1 L mark. depth of 1.5 cm in the petri dish. Soak 4.54 kg (10.0 lb) under the pressure plate,
6.2 Test the pH of the solution with a the test specimen in the solution for 30 and lock the pressure plate in position by
pH meter. If it is not 4.3 ± 0.2, discard it ± 2 min with occasional agitation and turning the thumb screws. Remove the
and prepare a new one, making sure all squeezing to ensure complete wetting. weight and place the unit lying on its side
ingredients are weighed accurately. The For fabrics hard to wet out, alternately in the oven so that the sides of the perspi-
use of pH test paper is not recommended wet the specimen and pass it through the ration tester are parallel to the oven walls
for this purpose because of its lack of ac- wringer until it is completely penetrated (see Fig. 4).
curacy. by the solution. 9.4.2 Vertical Perspiration Tester (See
6.3 Do not use perspiration solution that 9.2 After 30 ± 2 min, pass each test Fig. 2): Assemble the plates in the perspi-
is more than three days old (see 13.5). specimen assembly through the wringer ration tester with the specimens evenly
with the multifiber stripes perpendicular distributed between the 21 plates. Place
7. Verification to the length of the wringer rolls (all all 21 plates into the unit regardless of the
stripes go through the wringer at the same number of specimens. The plates are held
7.1 Verification checks on the opera- time). Weigh each test specimen to be in a vertical position between an indicat-
tion of the test and apparatus should be sure it weighs 2.25 ± 0.05 times its origi- ing scale with a fixed metal plate at one
made routinely and the results kept in a nal weight. Because certain fabrics may end and an adjustable metal plate at the
log. The following observations and cor- not be able to retain this amount of solu- other end. Use the adjusting screw to ex-
rective actions are extremely important to tion when passing through a wringer, ert a 4.54 kg (10.0 lb) force against the
avoid incorrect test results. such fabrics may be tested after blotting plates. Lock the specimen unit containing
7.2 Use an in-house perspiration fabric to the required wet pickup with White the test specimens with a set screw. Re-
with a mid-range visual grade on the AATCC Textile Blotting Paper (see move the pressure gauge unit from the
most heavily stained stripe of the multifi- 13.4). To obtain consistent results all specimen unit and place the specimen
ber cloth as a calibration specimen and specimens of a given construction in a unit in the oven such that the side of the
conduct a perspiration test using three test series should have identical pickup, perspiration tester is parallel to the oven
specimens. Verification checks should be as the degree of staining increases with walls. Another specimen unit may be
performed periodically as well as each the amount of retained solution. added to the pressure gauge unit and the
time a new lot of multifiber or undyed ad-
9.3 Place each test specimen assembly loading procedure repeated.
jacent fabric is used.
on an acrylic plate with the multifiber 9.5 Heat the loaded specimen unit in an
7.2.1 Non-uniform color transfer may
stripes running perpendicular to the long oven at 38 ± 1°C (100 ± 2°F) for 6 h ± 5
be due to improper wet-out procedures or
dimension of the plate (see Fig. 3). min. Check the oven temperature periodi-
may be a result of uneven pressure on the
specimens due to warped plates in the 9.4 Depending upon equipment avail- cally to be sure it remains at the specified
tester. Check the wet-out procedures to able, use the following alternates: temperature throughout the test.
be sure that the balance is accurate and 9.4.1 Horizontal Perspiration Tester 9.6 Remove the tester from the oven
that the procedure is being carefully fol- (see Fig. 1): Place the plates in the perspi- and for each test specimen assembly, sep-
lowed. Check all plates to be sure they ration tester with the specimen assem- arate the multifiber fabric and, if used,
are in good condition and not warped. blies evenly distributed between the 21 the undyed adjacent fabric from the test
plates. Place all 21 plates into the unit re- fabric. Place the multifiber fabric and test
gardless of the number of specimens. Af- fabric specimens separately on a wire
8. Test Specimens
ter placing the final plate in position (on screen in a conditioned atmosphere (21 ±
8.1 Number and size of specimens. top) set the dual plates with compensat- 1°C [70 ± 2°F]) and 65 ± 2% relative hu-
8.1.1 For fabric testing, one specimen ing springs in position, place the 3.63 kg midity overnight.
6 × 6 ± 0.2 cm is needed. Attach a piece
of multifiber adjacent fabric measuring 5
× 5 ± 0.2 cm to the face of the specimen
by sewing a single seam stitch along one
edge of the fabric.
8.1.2 For yarn or loose fiber testing,
weigh a 5 × 5 ± 0.2 cm piece of multifi-
ber fabric and a 6 × 6 ± 0.2 cm piece of
the un-dyed adjacent fabric together.
Then take a mass of the yarn or loose fi-
ber approximately equal to one half of the
combined mass of the adjacent fabrics.
Place it between the 5 × 5 ± 0.2 cm piece
of multifiber fabric and a 6 × 6 ± 0.2 cm
piece of the un-dyed adjacent fabric, and
sew along all four sides.
8.1.3 Do not use multifiber test fabric
that has fused, sealed, or pre-sewn edges
because it might have thickness varia-
tions at the edges which would cause un-
even compression during testing.

9. Procedure
9.1 Weigh each test specimen (as pre-
pared in 8.1) to the nearest 0.1mg. Place
each test specimen) in a petri dish. Add Fig. 3—Specimen in holder.

26 AATCC TM15-2021 AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2022

Copyright © 2021 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
 Table 1—Precision Table for
Stain Rating of Acetate
No. of Within Lab Between Lab
Specimens Precision Precision
1 0.01173 0.01519
2 0.0083 0.0108
3 0.0068 0.0088
4 0.0059 0.0076
5 0.0052 0.0068
6 0.0048 0.0062

Table 2—Precision Table for

Stain Rating of Acrylic
No. of Within Lab Between Lab
Specimens Precision Precision
1 0.02773 0.03646
2 0.0196 0.0258
3 0.0160 0.0210
Fig. 4—Horizontal Perspiration tester placement in oven.
4 0.0139 0.0182
5 0.0124 0.0163
6 0.0113 0.0149
10. Evaluation (see 13.7) ferent time periods (June 2012, Decem-
ber 2012, June 2013, December 2013 and
10.1 General—Unsatisfactory perspi- June 2014) was used to define the preci- Table 3—Precision Table for
ration fastness may be due to bleeding or sion of stain rating and color change rat- Stain Rating of Cotton
migration of color or it may be due to ing values. Each lab used the same fabric
change in color of the dyed material. It materials to obtain the stain rating and
No. of Within Lab Between Lab
should be noted that objectionable color change rating values. Each lab per-
Specimens Precision Precision
change in color may be encountered with formed three replicate tests for each test 1 0.09994 0.1315
no apparent bleeding. On the other hand, material and used three different raters to 2 0.0708 0.0931
there may be bleeding with no apparent 3 0.0577 0.0759
assign ratings for staining and color
change in color, or there may be both 4 0.0500 0.0658
change. Each lab also used multi-fiber
bleeding and change in color. 5 0.0447 0.0588
fabric strips containing acetate, acrylic,
10.2 Rate the effect on the color of the 6 0.0408 0.0537
cotton, nylon, polyester and wool fibers
test specimens by comparison with the
to assess the staining of individual fibers.
Gray Scale for Color Change (AATCC
Evaluation Procedure 1), or using 12.1.1 Tables 1-6 give the within lab Table 4—Precision Table for
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 7, Instru- and between lab precision values for the Stain Rating of Nylon
mental Assessment of the Change in stain ratings of acetate, acrylic, cotton,
No. of Within Lab Between Lab
Color of a Test Specimen, and record the nylon, polyester and wool fibers. Specimens Precision Precision
numerical rating that corresponds to the 12.1.2 Table 7 gives the precision val-
ues for color change rating. As men- 1 0.040426 0.05312
appropriate one on the Gray Scale (see 2 0.0286 0.0376
13.4). tioned above, the multi-period data gen-
3 0.0233 0.0307
10.3 Rate the staining on each fiber erated by 188 different labs was used to 4 0.0202 0.0266
type of the multifiber, and the undyed compute the precision values. 5 0.0181 0.0238
original fabric if used, by comparison 12.1.3 In addition to providing the pre- 6 0.0165 0.0217
with the Gray Scale for Staining (AATCC cision values, the analysis of the multi-
Evaluation Procedure 2), the AATCC 9- period data revealed the following statis-
Step Chromatic Transference Scale tical facts: Table 5—Precision Table for
(AATCC Evaluation Procedure 8) or In- • The stain ratings assigned by different Stain Rating of Polyester
strumental Assessment of Degree of labs for acetate fiber differed signifi- No. of Within Lab Between Lab
Staining (AATCC Evaluation Procedure cantly at 95% confidence level. Specimens Precision Precision
12), and record the numerical rating that • The mean stain ratings of acetate fiber
corresponds to the appropriate one on ei- 1 0.019723 0.026041
corresponding to five different time
ther of them. (see 13.4.) 2 0.0140 0.0184
periods differed significantly at 95% 3 0.0114 0.0150
confidence level. 4 0.0099 0.0130
11. Report • The stain ratings assigned by different 5 0.0088 0.0116
labs for acrylic fiber differed signifi- 6 0.0081 0.0106
11.1 Report the color change grade and
cantly at 95% confidence level.
the staining grades for each fiber type in
the multifiber test sample and state which • The mean stain ratings of acrylic fiber
scale (AATCC Evaluation Procedure 2, 8, corresponding to five different time
periods differed significantly at 95% periods differed significantly at 95%
or 12) was used in the staining evaluation
(see 13.4). confidence level. confidence level.
• The stain ratings assigned by different • The stain ratings assigned by different
12. Precision and Bias labs for cotton fiber did not differ sig- labs for nylon fiber did not differ sig-
nificantly at 95% confidence level. nificantly at 95% confidence level.
12.1 Precision. Proficiency data gener- • The mean stain ratings of cotton fiber • The mean stain ratings of nylon fiber
ated by 188 different labs during five dif- corresponding to five different time corresponding to five different time

AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2022 AATCC TM15-2021 27

Copyright © 2021 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
 Table 6—Precision Table for 95% confidence level. Textile Blotting Paper are available from
Stain Rating of Wool • The mean color change ratings of five AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle
different time periods differed signifi- Park NC 27709; tel: +1.919.549.8141; fax:
No. of Within Lab Between Lab cantly at 95% confidence level. +1.919. 549.8933; e-mail: [email protected];
Specimens Precision Precision web site: www.aatcc.org.
12.2 Bias. The colorfastness to perspi- 13.5 Committee RR52 established that
1 0.01951 0.02552 ration can be defined only in terms of a fungi begin to grow in the acid perspiration
2 0.0138 0.0181 test method. There is no independent solution and that the pH gradually rises after
3 0.0113 0.0147 method for determining the true value. three days of storage under ambient room tem-
4 0.0098 0.0128 As a means of estimating this property, peratures, even when kept in a stoppered solu-
5 0.0087 0.0114 the method has no known bias. tion bottle.
6 0.0080 0.0104 13.6 For very critical visual evaluations and
in the case of arbitration, ratings must be
13. Notes based on the Gray Scale for Staining as op-
Table 7—Precision Table for posed to the 9 step chromatic transference
13.1 Background information on the com- scale.
Color Change Ratings mittee’s work and decision to eliminate the al- 13.7 CAUTION: It has been reported that
kaline test was published in two articles in the results for staining obtained by this
No. of Within Lab Between Lab Textile Chemist and Colorist: “Colorfastness
Specimens Precision Precision method on fabrics dyed to dark shades (navy,
to Perspiration and Chemicals” (October black, etc.) that contain a combination of poly-
1 0.02182 0.02552 1974) and “Evaluating Colorfastness to Per-
ester and spandex, or their blends, may not
2 0.0155 0.0181 spiration: Laboratory Test vs. Wear Test” (No-
show the full staining propensity of such fab-
vember 1974). Although the alkaline test has
3 0.0126 0.0147 rics in consumer use. It is, therefore, recom-
been eliminated from this method, there may
4 0.0109 0.0128 mended that the staining results obtained by
be certain instances in foreign trade or special
5 0.0098 0.0114 this test not be used for the acceptance testing
end-uses that require the alkaline test. In these
6 0.0089 0.0104 of such fabrics.
instances the alkaline test should be run as in
AATCC Method 15-1973. For convenient ref-
erence the composition of the alkaline solution 14. History
periods differed significantly at 95% is as follows: Alkaline Solution–10 g sodium
confidence level. chloride; 4 g ammonium carbonate, USP; 1 14.1 Revised in 2021 for clarity and to add
• The stain ratings assigned by different g sodium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous History section per the AATCC style guide.
(Na2HPO4); 0.25 g -histidine monohydro- Revised 2013; editorially revised 2010; re-
labs for polyester fiber differed sig- chloride. Make up to one liter with distilled vised in 2009; editorially revised 2008, reaf-
nificantly at 95% confidence level. water. This solution should give a pH of 8.0. firmed 2007; editorially revised 2005, 2004;
• The mean stain ratings of polyester fi- 13.2 For potential equipment information editorially revised and reaffirmed 2002; re-
ber corresponding to five different pertaining to this test method, please visit the vised 1997; editorially revised 1995; editori-
time periods differed significantly at online AATCC Buyer’s Guide at http://www. ally revised and reaffirmed 1994; reaffirmed
95% confidence level. aatcc.org/bg. AATCC provides the possibility 1989; editorially revised 1986; reaffirmed
• The stain ratings assigned by different of listing equipment and materials sold by its 1985; editorially revised 1983, 1981; reaf-
labs for wool fiber differed signifi- Corporate members, but AATCC does not firmed 1979; revised 1976, 1975; editorially
cantly at 95% confidence level. qualify, or in any way approve, endorse or cer- revised 1974; revised 1973, 1972; reaffirmed
tify that any of the listed equipment or materi- 1967; editorially revised 1967; revised 1962;
• The mean stain ratings of wool fiber als meets the requirements in its test methods. editorially revised 1961; revised 1960, 1957,
corresponding to five different time 13.3 The six fiber test fabrics without fused 1952.
periods differed significantly at 95% edges should be used in this method. 14.2 Developed in 1949 by AATCC Com-
confidence level. 13.4 The AATCC 9-Step Chromatic Trans- mittee RR52; jurisdiction transferred to AATCC
• The mean color change ratings of dif- ference Scale, Gray Scale for Staining, Gray Committee RA23 in 2006; related to ISO 105-
ferent labs differed significantly at Scale for Color Change and White AATCC E04.

28 AATCC TM15-2021 AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2022

Copyright © 2021 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists