Accreditation Scheme
NEXT TEST METHOD 7
PRINT DURABILITY FOR TEXTILES
Scope and Principle
To determine the durability of prints on fabric.
Apparatus
Wascator FOM 71S and Programme card, or
Wascator FOM 71MP and Programme Cassette ROM, or
Wascator FOM 71MP/Lab Model or
Wascator CLS
Domestic Tumble Dryer, 5kg load with a cool-down facility
Balance capable of weighing up to 2kg and accurate to 0.01g
British Standard Makeweights
Grey Scales Change (see Testing Guidelines, Part 2)
Grey Scales Staining (see Testing Guidelines, Part 2)
Colour Assessment Cabinet (see Testing Guidelines, Part 2)
Overlock Machine
Digital Alarm Timer
Reagents
ECE Reference detergent ‘B’ (without optical brightening agent)
Sodium Perborate Tetrahydrate
TM7 Page 1 of 4 Reviewed September 2015
Issued January 2008
Accreditation Scheme
Specimen Preparation
All over Prints:
Where possible prepare a sample 50 x 50cm, ensuring that all colours are included. Overlock all edges. Retain a sample with all the colours
included to be used for examination and assessment.
Small Area Prints:
A whole design should be tested whilst retaining a whole design for examination and assessment.
Where the sample is smaller than a makeweight, it must be secured to this, to ensure that the sample does not fold in on itself, as it will not
receive the full abrasive action of the wash procedure.
Panel Placement Prints:
Use one panel only cut into two duplicate sections. Retain one section as original for final assessment and test the other.
Where the sample is smaller than a makeweight, it must be secured to this, to ensure that the sample does not fold in on itself, as it will not
receive the full abrasive action of the wash procedure.
TM7 Page 2 of 4 Reviewed September 2015
Issued January 2008
Accreditation Scheme
Test Procedure
a) Weigh the sample and make up the load to 2kg with British Standard Makeweights.
b) The makeweights must be clean to ensure that no colour, other than that from the print is transferred onto the sample. The durability sample
must not be washed with any other sample, again to prevent any transfer of colour.
c) Use 70.4gms ECE detergent and 17.6gms sodium perborate.
d) Select a 2A @ 60°C wash programme. Set the temperature, water levels and pull out correct knobs if using a FOM 71S Wascator.
e) Place the makeweights then the test sample in the Wascator. Dissolve the powder with a small quantity of warm water in a beaker.
f) Start the machine. When the water is above the base level in the sight tubes, pour the dissolved powder into the machine by lifting the lid on
the top of the machine. Flush down by rinsing the beaker out with an additional quantity of warm water.
g) On completion of the wash programme remove the wash load.
Drying
a) Place the 2kg load into a tumble dryer HOT for 90 minutes.
b) On completion of the drying cycle remove the test sample and mount on to a piece of off-white card. Staple the original and tested sample, in
a single layer onto the card side by side, so there is no gap in between with all the different colours adjoining.
It may be necessary to cut the print into several smaller areas to do this and it may be necessary to use more than one piece of card.
TM7 Page 3 of 4 Reviewed September 2015
Issued January 2008
Accreditation Scheme
Evaluation and Reporting of Results
Assess and report the numerical rating of the change of shade on the original sample compared to the tested sample, on all colours including the
base colour using the grey scale for assessing change.
Assess and report any raised surface fibre showing through the print on all colours on the original sample compared to the tested sample.
Assess and report any cracking of the print on all colours on the original sample compared to the tested sample.
Assess and report any loss of adhesion i.e. peeling off of the print on all colours of the original sample.
Assess and report any cross staining of the print on all colours including the base fabric on the original sample compared to the tested sample.
Report the test method number and title.
TM7 Page 4 of 4 Reviewed September 2015
Issued January 2008
