COLOUR FASTNESS TESTING

Colour fastness is a term used in the dyeing of textile materials that characterizes a material's colour's resistance to fading or running. Colour fastness is the property of dyes and it is directly proportional to the binding force between photochromic dye and the fiber. The colour fastness may also be affected by processing techniques and choice of chemicals and axillaries.

Generally the textile materials or products will be subjected to some artificial conditions like temperature, pressure, downward force, detergent solutions to find its stability as per customer request by following ISO, AATCC, ASTM standards.

• COLOUR FASTNESS TO WASHING
• COLOUR FASTNESS TO RUBBING OR CROCKING
• COLOUR FASTNESS TO LIGHT
• COLOUR FASTNESS TO PERSPIRATION
• COLOUR FASTNESS TO SALIVA
• COLOUR FASTNESS TO CHLORINATED WATER
• COLOUR FASTNESS TO CHLORINE BLEACH
• COLOUR FASTNESS TO NON CHLORINE BLEACH

SHRINKAGE & SKEWNESS TESTING

Shrinkage is a change in dimensions across the length and width of the fabric after washing, usage, and when exposed to the relaxing of fabrics. Mainly shrinkage is of two types one is minus shrinkage and the other is plus shrinkage. Skew (twisting of the vertical grains) is also observed along with shrinkage. Abnormal twisting is also considered as a non-conformity.

• Contraction: Any noticeable decrease in dimensions is known as Contraction(minus) shrinkage.
• Expansion: Any noticeable increase or expansion in dimension is known as Expansion (plus) shrinkage.
• It is calculated by using with initial bench Marks distances and its changes after washing procedure. Results will expressed in percentage.
• Also noticable twist also calculated and reported in percentage or degree of twist.

APPEARANCE TEST

This test is used for evaluating the appearance of fabrics or garments after washing.
Evaluation is performed using standard lighting and viewing area by rating the appearance of specimen in comparison with other reference specimen.

ASSESSMENT OF APPEARANCE AFTER WASHING

The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather should be
used as a guide only. Items to note may include the following

• Differential shrinkage between components i.e. dropped or tight linings, seam pucker, distortion of components.
• Shrinkage of garment.
• Seam breakdown i.e. inadequate seams, partial or non-inclusion, faulty thread or stitching, fabric slippage, fraying from seam turnings, stitching damage etc.
• Puckering and roping of seams
• Detachment of interlinings / fused components that may have delaminated, quantified as
• Change in handle or appearance.
• Effect on accessories such as buttons, zips etc.
• Wet edge abrasion.
• Excessive creasing.
• Spiralling.
• Cross staining of interlining.
• Optical brightening agents (OBA’s, FBA’s) which occur on certain substrates as a result of the whitening agents presence in washing powders. A fluorescent suppressor should be placed over the washed specimen to assess any pick up of the whitening agent.
• Fraying of ribbons / trims
• Percolation of wadding.
• Detachment of trims.
• Distortion of shape.
• Matting of fabric surface.
• Brushing of fabric surface.
• Pilling of fabric surface.
• Breakdown of fabric surface.
• Loss of elasticity (stretch and recovery) of ribbing.
• Localized wear.
• Colourfastness: shade change, cross staining between components. Apply standard values as per relevant performance test standard.
• Loss of print.

PHYSICAL TESTING

Mechanical properties of textile fabrics or garments may be subjected to an actions physical testing to evaluate their performances. This includes following tests,

• PILLING
• GSM
• BURSTING STRENGTH
• YARN COUNT
• CONSTRUCTION
• STRETCH AND RECOVERY
• TENSILE STRENGTH
• TEAR STRENGTH
• SEAM SLIPPAGE
• SEAM STRENGTH
• ABRASION RESISTANCE
• BALL BURSTING
• SNAGGING RESISTANCE
• COUNT STRENGTH PRODUCT
• TWIST PER INCHES and etc