National Textile University

BSc. Textile Engineering

Garments Manufacturing

LAB REPORT
Course Code: GM-4042
Semester: 7th
Section: D
Group: 2 (EVEN)
Experiment No. 1
To check Colour fastness by crock meter method?

M. Arslan Haider
09-NTU-146
Saim Mahmood
09-NTU-166

To check colour fastness by crock meter method?

M. Arslan Haider Saim Mahmood

Dec 19, 2012

GM-4042

Date Experiment was conducted: 22-11-12

Date Report was submitted: 20-12-12

To check colour fastness by crock meter method?

M. Arslan Haider Saim Mahmood

Dec 19, 2012

GM-4042

Abstract:
This test method is designed to determine the amount of color transferred from the surface of
colored textile materials to other surfaces by rubbing. It is applicable to textiles made from all
fibers in the form of yarn or fabric whether dyed, printed or otherwise colored. It is not
recommended for use for carpets or for prints where the singling out of areas may be too small
using this method. Test procedures employing white test cloth squares, both dry and wet with
water, are given. As washing, dry-cleaning, shrinkage, ironing, finishing, etc., may affect the
degree of color transfer from a material, the test may be made before, after, or before and after
any such treatment.

To check colour fastness by crock meter method?

M. Arslan Haider Saim Mahmood

Dec 19, 2012

GM-4042

Table of Contents
Abstract:............................................................................................................................................i
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................ii
1.Introduction ..................................................................................................................................1
Background......................................................................................................................................1
Objectives........................................................................................................................................1
Theory..............................................................................................................................................1
Equipment and Materials.................................................................................................................1
Method.............................................................................................................................................1
Results..............................................................................................................................................2
Discussion .......................................................................................................................................2
Conclusions......................................................................................................................................2
References........................................................................................................................................2
Appendix..........................................................................................................................................2

ii

To check colour fastness by crock meter method?

M. Arslan Haider Saim Mahmood

1.

Dec 19, 2012

GM-4042

Introduction

Background
The Crock meter is used to determine colorfastness to 'crocking. Crocking is the resistance of
the color of a textile sample and other materials to rubbing off and staining. Crock meter is
designed to determine the amount of color transferred from the surface of colored textile
materials to other surfaces by rubbing.

Objectives
To check color fastness by crock meter method?

Theory
The complete description of the method which is used for this purpose is AATCC Test Method
8, ISO Test Method 105-X12. The apparatus used for this purpose is crock meter. First of all
what is meant of colour fastness?
Colour fastness is a term that describes the propensity of an article to change or lose colour
when treated in a certain way.
There is a Grey scale to measure colour fastness value by comparing results.

Equipment and Materials

Crock meter.

Piece of sample fabric.

Piece of bleached white cotton fabric in dried state.

Piece of bleached white cotton fabric in wet state.

Grey scale for checking staining.

Method

First of all 2 pieces of samples of fabric was cut in dimensions of 2 * 3 inches.

Then a square piece of bleached white cotton fabric was taken as crock cloth.

The white bleached cotton fabric piece was fixed on the finger with the help of a

Clamp.

Then the piece of sample fabric was fixed in rubbing area with the help of clamps.

Then the cloth with finger was placed on the sample fabric.
1

To check colour fastness by crock meter method?

M. Arslan Haider Saim Mahmood

Dec 19, 2012

GM-4042

Then 10 times the crock cloth rubbed on the sample fabric by rotating the handle up to 10
cycles.

Then the crock cloth was removed from the finger or rubbing peg.

This test done first on dry then on wet fabric.

Then the crock cloth was matched with the staining grey scale for taking the result in
numeric form.

Results
For dry sample Grey Scale reading is 2.
For wet sample Grey Scale value is 3-4.

Discussion
There are certain factors that become the cause of the poor color fastness or produce staining.
Some of them are discussed here.
WHY FAILURE?

The dye particles sticking on the surface of the fabric causes staining to white fabric
when it is rubbed.
Sulphur, indigo and pigment have poor rubbing fastness.
Bad dyeing / bad fixing / Bad printing.
Improper finishing / improper curing.

HOW TO IMPROVE?

A good and thorough soaping will remove the undyed particles and improve the fastness.
Good dye and dye fixing to be used.
Better selection of dyestuff with necessary certification from dye manufacture.
In case of pigment prints good curing.

Conclusions
In dry state test is less effective comparing to sample in wet state. Which means the colour
fastness test value of dry is better than in wet state sample.

References
Lab notes
Manual of AATCC-2004.

Appendix
Samples attached.