In the DIN EN 20105-A02 standard, developed by the German Standardization Institute (DIN), the gray scale and its use are explained to determine the color changes (staining) of adjacent textile products in color fastness tests. A precise colorimetric characteristic of the balance is provided as a permanent record against which newly established working standards and changed standards can be compared. The basic scale is 5 steps and consists of non-shiny gray or white colored chips or gray or white fabric samples. In addition, the scale was increased to 9 steps by adding half a step between them.
This test method is designed to detect the effect of washing only on the color fastness of textiles. It is not intended to reflect the outcome of the comprehensive laundering procedure.
A textile sample that is in contact with one or two adjacent fabrics during testing is mechanically agitated in a soap solution under certain time and temperature conditions, then rinsed and dried. The change in sample color and staining of adjacent fabrics are evaluated with gray scales.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has also developed an ISO standard for the same purpose (ISO 105-A02 Textiles - Color fastness tests - Part A02: Gray scale for assessing color change). This standard also describes the gray scale and its use for determining color changes in textiles in color fastness tests. The color appearance of samples can be affected by the color of the environment and the color of any material used to mask them. To obtain reliable test results using the ISO 105-A02 standard, samples should be masked with a material of the same color as the sheath used to mask the test strip.
Color fastness is a material's resistance to color fading when exposed to the environment. To ensure the quality of a material, it is necessary to test it against real-life conditions that it may encounter during its expected service life. This is usually accomplished using a grayscale test under a light.
Among the numerous tests, measurements, analyses, and evaluations our organization provides for businesses in various sectors, we also offer color fastness testing services for textiles using a gray scale to assess color change, in accordance with the DIN EN 20105-A02 standard, thanks to our trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
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