Marks & Spencer C7

METHOD OF TEST
COLOUR FASTNESS TO PERSPIRATION

PURPOSE To assess the degree of change of shade or cross staining due to

perspiration.

APPARATUS 1. Chemical balance accurate to ± 0.01g.

2. 2 x 1 litre volumetric flasks.

3. 2 x 1.5 litre beakers.

4. pH meter (see note 1). (See Equipment Index Ref 13AL 23I 24WJ and
local chemical equipment suppliers).

5. Supply of glass plates each measuring 60mm x 60mm and 6mm

thick weighing approximately 50g. (See Equipment Index Ref 13AJ 23K
24AR or local glass supplier).

6. Supply of glass petri dishes large enough to hold the 60mm x 60mm
glass plate (90-95mm diameter dishes are the most satisfactory). (See
Equipment Index Refs 10A, 11E, 13AJ, 23K, 24AR and local chemical
equipment suppliers).

7. Multifibre adjacent fabric 100mm x 50mm cut in half to give two

samples 50mm x 50mm (see diagram 1). (See Method of Test C3
Multifibre Adjacent Fabric.)

8. 2 x 50ml measuring cylinders.

9. Timer for 15 minutes and 4 hours minimum (see Guidelines for

Colour Fastness & Chemical Tests).

10. Incubator maintained at 37°C ± 2°C (see Equipment Index Ref. 10A,
24AT).

11. Non-rusting mesh drying trays.

12. Metal ruler with mm graduations (see Method of Test CG

General Requirements for Colour Fastness & Chemical Tests).

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REAGENT
1.Alkaline Solution
5.00g/l l-Histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate
5.00g/l Sodium chloride (NaCl)
2.50g/l Di-sodium hydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate (Na 2 HPO 4 2H
2 O) (see note 2).
Dilute the solution up to 1 litre in a litre volumetric flask using distilled
water and then transfer the contents to a 1.5 litre beaker and bring to
pH 8.0 ±0.05 with 0.1mol/L (0.1N) sodium hydroxide (Na0H) (see note
3).

DIAGRAM 1 – Multifibre Adjacent Fabric

DIAGRAM 2 – Sandwiching of Test Specimen with Multifibre

Adjacent Fabric

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DIAGRAM 3 –Wetting out Composite Samples

Firmly tap the specimen with the edge place glass plate squarely over
of the glass plate and then carefully composite sample.
draw the edge of the plate along the
composite sample to remove the
air bubbles.

2.Acid Solution
5.00g/l l-Histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate
5.00g/l Sodium chloride (NaCl)
2.20g/l Sodium di-hydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate (NaH 2 PO 4 2H
2 O) (see note 2).

Dilute the solution up to 1 litre in a litre volumetric flask using distilled

water and then transfer the contents to a 1.5 litre beaker and bring to
pH 5.5 ±0.05 with 0.1mol/L (0.1N) sodium hydroxide (Na0H) (see note
3).

TEST SPECIMEN Fabric

Using a ruler and a pair of scissors, and without marking the fabric,
cut out a specimen 50mm x 50mm.

If the face and back of the fabric are of different shade or fibre
composition, both sides should be tested in contact with all six
components of the multifibre adjacent fabric. It will be necessary to
prepare two specimens and carry out two separate tests.

In the case of multi-coloured fabrics or prints, all the different colours

of the design should be tested in contact with all six components of
the multifibre adjacent fabric. It may be necessary to carry out more
than one test.

Other Items
For details of specimen size for Sewing Threads, Yarns, and Footwear,
Leather refer to notes 4 & 5.

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METHOD Alkaline Perspiration

1. Sandwich the test specimen between two pieces of multifibre
adjacent fabric so that the specimen is in contact with all six
components of the multifibre adjacent fabric. Weigh this composite
specimen and place it in a petri dish (see diagrams 2 and 3).

2. Take a 20:1 liquor ratio (i.e. 20ml of perspiration solution per 1g of

composite specimen) and pour into the petri dish. Wet out the
composite specimen thoroughly by firmly tapping it with the edge of
the glass plate to remove the air bubbles. Leave for 30 minutes at
room temperature without the glass plate in place.

3. Again firmly tap the composite specimen with the edge of the glass
plate and draw the edge of the glass plate over the specimen to
remove air bubbles. Place the glass plate squarely on the composite
specimen and leave to stand for 15 minutes at room temperature.
(See diagram 3.)

4. Applying ONLY SUFFICIENT PRESSURE to hold the glass plate in

position, pour off the excess solution. DO NOT SQUEEZE.

5. Place petri dish, composite sample and glass plate into the
incubator at 37°C ± 2°C for 4 hours.

6. Remove from the incubator. Allow the test specimen and multifibre
adjacent fabric to dry separately on the mesh drying trays at a
temperature not exceeding 60°C.

Acid Perspiration
Carry out the test as for steps 1 to 6 using the acid solution.

MOUNTING AND See Method of Test C2 ‘Mounting and Visual Assessment of Test
ASSESSMENT Pieces from Colour Fastness Tests’.

REPORT Record the change of shade of the specimen and the staining of the
individual components of the multifibre adjacent fabric separately for
both the acid and alkaline test.

NOTES 1. The pH meter must be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s

instructions prior to use, on every occasion.

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2. The water of hydration should be exactly as stated, i.e. 2H2O.

3. 0.1N (0.1M) Sodium Hydroxide is available from BDH Chemicals as a

prepared solution (order 0.1N (0.1M) Sodium Hydroxide AVS). If too
much Sodium Hydroxide is added at the pH adjustment stage, the
solution should be discarded. It must not be re-adjusted with dilute
acid.

It is essential to use 0.1N (0.1M) Sodium Hydroxide as other

concentrations result in different concentrations of Histidine in the
final solution.

4. Footwear Leathers
These are only tested for alkaline fastness. No liquor ratio is
calculated. The petri dish is filled with the test solution. In other
respects the test is unchanged.

5. Sewing Threads, Yarns and Slivers of Yarn

Sandwich approximately 0.2g thread, yarn or sliver of yarn tied into a
50mm long hank between 50mm x 50mm pieces of multifibre
adjacent fabric, so that the specimen is in contact with all six
components of the multifibre adjacent fabric. Test the threads for
acid and alkaline perspiration as described for fabric.

Replaces: Method of Test ‘Colour Fastness to Perspiration’ dated

October 2004.

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