ASTM D5548-13

Standard Guide for Evaluating Color Transfer or Color Loss of Dyed Fabrics in Laundering (Not Suitable for Detergent or Washing Machine Rankings)

ABSTRACT
This guide covers the evaluation of the effect of dyestuff color transfer or color loss from dyed fabrics. It is designed as a laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of detergent products or the comparison of two or more detergents, it is not suitable for detergent or washing machine rankings. The apparatus and materials use in evaluating color transfer or color loss of dyed fabrics are presented in details. The procedure for color transfer in one wash, and color loss in three washes are presented in details.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the evaluation of the effect of dyestuff color transfer or color loss from dyed fabrics. It is designed as a laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of detergent products or the comparison of two or more detergents.  
1.2 There is no single assessment that will give the overall performance of a laundry product. A single test can only suggest how a formulation performs under the particular conditions chosen for the evaluation and cannot be expected to reflect comparative product performance under the many other possible conditions of use. A series of assessments is always necessary in order to evaluate the many aspects of product performance. It is necessary to conduct confirming tests under controlled but practical home-laundering conditions to simulate consumer experience.  
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2013
• ICS: 59.080.01 - Textiles in general
• Technical Committee: D12 - Soaps and Other Detergents
• Drafting Committee: D12.15 - Physical Testing

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5548 − 13
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Color Transfer or Color Loss of Dyed Fabrics in
Laundering (Not Suitable for Detergent or Washing Machine
1
Rankings)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5548; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
E179 Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for
1.1 This guide covers the evaluation of the effect of dyestuff
Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties
color transfer or color loss from dyed fabrics. It is designed as
of Materials
a laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of
E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Mea-
detergent products or the comparison of two or more deter-
surement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
gents.
2.2 AATCC Methods:
3
1.2 There is no single assessment that will give the overall
Evaluation Procedure 6 Instrumental Color Measurement
performance of a laundry product. A single test can only
Evaluation Procedure 7 Instrumental Assessment of the
3
suggest how a formulation performs under the particular
Change in Color of a Test Specimen
conditions chosen for the evaluation and cannot be expected to
reflect comparative product performance under the many other 3. Terminology
possible conditions of use. A series of assessments is always
3.1 Definitions:
necessary in order to evaluate the many aspects of product
3.1.1 See Terminology D459.
performance. It is necessary to conduct confirming tests under
3.1.2 laundering, n—a process intended to remove soils or
controlled but practical home-laundering conditions to simu-
stains, or both, by treatment (washing) with an aqueous
late consumer experience.
detergent solution and normally including subsequent rinsing,
extraction, and drying.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to
be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in
3.1.3 rinse, v or n—a process or treatment in an aqueous
parentheses are for information only.
medium for the purpose of removing extraneous matter from
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the textile materials.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Guide
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 Three fabrics are chosen that exhibit varying degrees of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. color loss or transfer. A nylon fabric is dyed with a heavy
concentration of a red dye that will exhibit the greatest amount
2. Referenced Documents
of color loss or transfer. Two cotton fabrics are dyed with blue
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: dyes, which provide a light and intermediate level of color loss
D459 Terminology Relating to Soaps and Other Detergents and transfer. A bleached undyed cotton fabric is washed in the
same bucket as the dyed fabrics to act as a receptacle for the
fugitive dyestuff.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and
Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.15 on
4.2 The evaluation is performed in a laboratory washer
Physical Testing.
under standardized conditions. It is possible to rank one or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2013.PublishedJuly2013.Originallyapproved
ε2 more detergents using instrumental readings and determining
in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5548 – 05 . DOI: 10.1520/
D5548-13. the ∆E* values.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
the ASTM website. (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5548 − 13
5. Apparatus 8.1.1 Water—1000 mL water hardened to 110 ppm with a
3:1 mixture of Ca:Mg.
5.1 Laboratory Washer—A laboratory-scale, agitator-type
4 8.1.2 Water Temperature—32°C (61°C).
washing machine.
8.1.3 Detergent—0.2 %concentrationormanufacturer’suse
5.2 Photoelectric Colorimeter.
level.
5.3 Fabrics: 8.1.4 Laundry Additives (Optional)—Manufacturer’s rec-
ommended concentration.
5.3.1 Spun nylon 6.6 fabric dyed with Acid Red 151 at
2.5 %. 8.1.5 Agitation Rate—60 cycles per min.
8.1.6 Time—15 min.
5.3.2 Cotton print cloth dyed wit
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´2
Designation: D5548 − 05 D5548 − 13
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Color Transfer or Color Loss of Dyed Fabrics in
Laundering (Not Suitable for Detergent or Washing Machine
1
Rankings)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5548; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—The title was corrected editorially in April 2007.
2
ε NOTE—Reference to Direct Blue 7 in 5.3.2 and 6.3 was corrected to Direct Blue 71 in July 2011.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers the evaluation of the effect of dyestuff color transfer or color loss from dyed fabrics. It is designed as a
laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of detergent products or the comparison of two or more detergents.
1.2 There is no single assessment that will give the overall performance of a laundry product. A single test can only suggest
how a formulation performs under the particular conditions chosen for the evaluation and cannot be expected to reflect comparative
product performance under the many other possible conditions of use. A series of assessments is always necessary in order to
evaluate the many aspects of product performance. It is necessary to conduct confirming tests under controlled but practical
home-laundering conditions to simulate consumer experience.
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in
parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D459 Terminology Relating to Soaps and Other Detergents
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
E179 Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties of Materials
E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Measurement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
2.2 AATCC Methods:
3
Evaluation Procedure 6 Instrumental Color Measurement
3
Evaluation Procedure 7 Instrumental Assessment of the Change in Color of a Test Specimen
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 See Terminology D459.
3.1.2 laundering, n—a process intended to remove soils or stains, or both, by treatment (washing) with an aqueous detergent
solution and normally including subsequent rinsing, extraction, and drying.
3.1.3 rinse, vorn—a process or treatment in an aqueous medium for the purpose of removing extraneous matter from textile
materials.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.25 on Consumer
Standards.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005June 1, 2013. Published June 2005 July 2013. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 19992011 as
ε2
D5548 – 99.D5548 – 05 . DOI: 10.1520/D5548-05E02.10.1520/D5548-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5548 − 13
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 Three fabrics are chosen that exhibit varying degrees of color loss or transfer. A nylon fabric is dyed with a heavy
concentration of a red dye that will exhibit the greatest amount of color loss or transfer. Two cotton fabrics are dyed with blue dyes,
which provide a light and intermediate level of color loss and transfer. A bleached undyed cotton fabric is washed in the same
bucket as the dyed fabrics to act as a receptacle for the fugitive dyestuff.
4.2 The evaluation is performed in a laboratory washer under standardized conditions. It is possible to rank one or more
detergents using instrumental readings and determining the ΔE* values.
5. Apparatus
4
5.1 Laboratory
...