Color Fastness to Perspiration

In fact the perspiration is found to be either slightly alkaline or acidic in nature. When fabric is subjected to this alkaline or acidic
perspiration continuously some times the tone and depth of the dyed shade gets affected.
We can see how this change can be tested by artificially simulating the perspiration condition.

Step 01 : Preparation Of Artificial Sweat

Method 1 : Ready to Use Products
We can buy ready to use Artificial Sweat from a supply house. We found below party through internet and they have quoted us.
Moreover there are several supply houses.
Supplier :
Pickering Laboratories, Inc.
1280 Space Park Way
Mountain View, California 94043 USA
http://pickeringlabs.blogspot.com
Price:
Acidic Batch for pH 5.5
1 Litre : $747.00
Alkaline Batch for pH range 8
1 Litre : $747.00
We would need to be checked under both acidic and alkali conditions. pH 5.5 and pH 8 would be an option.
As supplier confirms this includes special Fungicide and bactericide to store up to 1 year.
Method 2 : in house preparation

As all chemicals are available in the market this can be synthesized in house. This should be prepared daily due to fungal growth. For
better and accurate results it is recommended to use the analytical grade chemicals always (These are expensive than the common
quality).

Step 02 : Testing
AATCC and ISO are some of main method developers and these methods available to be purchased.
Following method has developed using several references as an economical proposal.
Fabric pieces (specimen) with adjacent multifibre fabrics (We can set a standard by Cotton/Wool/Silk/PES/Viscose/Acrylic/Polyamide or
buy from a supply house) are dipped in both acidic and alkali sweat for 30 minutes at 30C. Naturally drain at 30 minutes and placed 4
hours under 4.5 Kg weight at body heat (37C).
For better results Perspirometer can be used to apply a constant weight. Separate Perspirometer units can be used for alkaline and acidic
tests to avoid chemical interaction.
Also an Incubator will be useful to store-in under standard condition.

Perspirometer

Incubator Oven

After drying, staining of adjacent fabrics would be compared with a Grey Scale.

It is an option to use Okeo Tex Standard 100, one of the popular eco-labels in use, recommends certain levels of fastness requirements
for textiles.
S.No Parameter

Baby
Wear

Skin Contact wear Outer wear

Water

Perspiration - Acidic

3-4

3-4

3-4

Perspiration - Alkaline

3-4

3-4

3-4

Rubbing dry

Saliva

The fastness ratings shown are all on staining scale and not change in shade.
Then we can compare the multifibre fabric with the Grey Scale for Assessing Staining.
Grey Scale for Assessing Staining
The scale consists of nine pairs of gray color chips each representing a visual difference and contrast.
5, 4-5, 4, 3-4, 3, 2-3, 2, 1-2, 1.
Note 5 = no visual change (best rating)
Note 1 = a large visual change (worst rating).

Color Fastness to Washing

We can use the same method with water.

Color Fastness to Saliva

Step 01 : Preparation of Artificial Saliva
The artificial saliva used in this present study were prepared according to Macknight-Hane and Whitford formula.
Methylparaben 2 g/l
SCMC 10 g/l
KCl 0.625 g/l
MgCl2.6H2O 0.059 g/l
CaCl2.2H2O 0.166 g/l
K2HPO4 0.804 g/l
KH2PO4 0.326 g/l
Ph is adjusted to 6.75 by KOH.

Step 02 : Testing
Fabric piece with adjacent filter paper is dipped in artificial saliva for 30 minutes at 30C. Naturally drain at 30 minutes and placed 4 hours
under 4.5 Kg weight at body heat (37C).
Then we can compare the filter paper with the Grey Scale for Assessing Staining.
Discussion :
If we would like to go for a standard method AATCC or ISO will be an option. All the methods and requirements can be purchased from
them. There are several suppliers for the instruments with their certification.
If we need to implant the in-house method we can start at basic level and step up gradually. At the start it would be better to compare
results with a lab report ensuring the accuracy of the method.