GME 60330 Determination of Color Fastness of Textiles and Coated Fabrics to Friction

Developed by General Motors Europe (GME), the “GME 60330 Determination of the color fastness of textiles and coated fabrics to friction” standard is a materials testing standard that includes a method for determining the color fastness of automotive textiles and coated fabrics to friction (abrasion). This standard is widely used to assess whether the color of interior upholstery materials remains stable when exposed to repeated contact with clothing, hands, cleaning cloths, or other surfaces during normal vehicle use.

The primary purpose of the GME 60330 standard is to measure the resistance of colored textiles and coated fabrics to color transfer due to friction. Materials with poor friction fastness can stain passengers' clothing, lose their original appearance, or fail to meet vehicle quality expectations. This standard helps manufacturers in the following areas:

• To evaluate the durability of dyed fabrics and coated materials.
• Comparing alternative materials from different suppliers.
• To verify production consistency.
• To ensure compliance with General Motors interior material specifications.
• To reduce customer complaints regarding color transfer and fading.

The GME 60330 standard applies to numerous automotive interior materials, including:

• Upholstery fabrics
• Artificial leather and coated fabrics
• Door trim panels
• Ceiling fabrics
• Armrest covers
• Interior decorative fabrics
• Textile laminates

This process is suitable for both woven and knitted textiles, as well as polymer-coated materials.

This standard specifies the amount of color transferred from a test sample to a standard rubbing cloth under controlled conditions. Normally, two types of rubbing tests are performed:

• Dry friction represents normal everyday contact.
• Wet friction represents exposure to sweat, moisture, or damp cleaning.

After the rubbing process, staining of the rubbing cloth and any color change in the sample are visually evaluated using standardized gray scales.

The equipment used in these tests generally includes the following:

• A friction resistance meter or friction fastness tester.
• Standard white cotton scrubbing cloths
• Distilled water (for wet testing)
• Controlled sample holder
• Standardized assessment clarification
• Gray scale for staining.
• Gray scale for color change.

The equipment provides a controlled friction force, stroke length, and cycle count to ensure repeatable results.

Detailed numerical requirements are included in the standard, but generally the testing process follows these steps:

• Preparation of samples with specified dimensions.
• Conditioning of samples under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Secure mounting of the sample.
• Dry scrubbing using a standard scrubbing cloth.
• Repeat the process using a damp cloth.
• Examination of the rubbing cloth in terms of transferred color.
• Evaluation of any color changes in the original sample.
• The results are recorded according to the prescribed rating system.

At the end of the test, performance is generally evaluated by examining the following:

• Amount of color transferred
• Degree of staining
• Surface damage
• Loss of original appearance
• Color stability after friction

Results are generally expressed using internationally accepted grayscale grading systems, allowing for consistent comparisons between different materials.

The GME 60330 standard is frequently applied in the automotive industry in the following situations:

• New material qualification
• Supplier approval
• Production quality control
• Design validation
• Material comparison studies
• Fault investigations

This is especially important for components that are frequently exposed to passenger contact.

Dry and wet rubbing tests are important for the following reasons:

• Dry rubbing assesses normal wear and tear during daily vehicle use.
• Wet friction simulates more challenging conditions, such as those listed below:
  • Sweating
  • Exposure to rainwater
  • Humid environments
  • Damp clothes
  • Cleaning procedures

Tests conducted under both conditions provide a more comprehensive assessment of long-term color durability.

The use of the GME 60330 standard offers several advantages:

• It improves the preservation of the interior appearance.
• It reduces the risk of color transfer to passengers' clothing.
• It supports consistent supplier quality.
• It increases customer satisfaction.
• It enables objective comparison of textile materials.
• It helps identify unsuitable dyes or finishes in the early stages of development.

The GME 60330 standard complements other automotive material performance standards that evaluate the following characteristics:

• Wear resistance
• Light fastness
• Weather resistance
• Chemical resistance
• Flammability
• Tensile properties

Together, these standards provide a comprehensive assessment of automotive interior material performance.

Automotive interior fabrics are constantly exposed to contact with the vehicle throughout its lifespan. If the dyes are not sufficiently abrasion-resistant, they can bleed onto clothing, fade prematurely, or degrade the perceived quality of the vehicle. The GME 60330 standard provides a standardized, repeatable method for assessing abrasion colorfastness and helps manufacturers ensure that interior textiles and coated fabrics maintain their appearance and durability under both dry and wet usage conditions.

In conclusion, the GME 60330 standard plays a crucial role in material adequacy, supplier approval, and quality assurance in the automotive manufacturing process.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services compliant with the GME 60330 standard.