1. Purpose and Scope

1.1 This test method determines the total alkali content of a bleach bath containing hydrogen peroxide and alkali from any source. The total alkali content is expressed as % sodium hydroxide.
1.2 Alkali in bleach baths may be supplied by sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate, sodium carbonate, or by various other alkaline materials, including potassium compounds, ammonia, lime, or by peroxygen solids which contain alkaline salts.
1.3 The alkali content of a bleach bath is a critical parameter in determining the rate and extent to which the textile being bleached is affected by the bleaching process.
1.4 This test method is used for laboratory determinations and for process control.

2. Principle

2.1 A weighed specimen of the bleach bath is titrated with a standardized solution of sulfuric acid to a Phenol Red endpoint, or to the pH range 6.8-8.4 on a pH meter. The total alkali, expressed as % NaOH, is calculated based on the weight of the bath.

AATCC 97-2020 is intended for determining the amount of water, enzyme and organic solvent extractable materials in yarn or fabric containing cellulosic fibers or blends thereof.

Water and enzyme soluble materials are removed from a test specimen in order by treatments in (1) hot water, and (2) amylase solution. Oils, fats and waxes are removed by extraction with 1,1,1-trichloethane.

This test method is used for the determination of dimensional changes of woven and knitted fabrics made of fibers other than wool when subjected to laundering procedures commonly used in a commercial laundry. A range of laundering test procedures from severe to mild is provided to allow simulation of the types of laundering found in commercial laundry. Five drying test procedures are established to cover the drying techniques used.

These tests are not accelerated and must be repeated to evaluate dimensional changes for multiple launderings.

The dimensional change of woven and knitted fabric specimens subjected to washing, drying and restoration procedures typical of commercial laundering are determined by measuring changes in bench mark distances applied to the fabric before laundering.

AATCC 94-2020 gives guidelines for qualitative identification of various finish components present on textile fabrics, yarns or fibers.

The identification scheme may involve any or all of the following approaches:

Sequential solvent extractions followed by identification of extracts by infrared spectroscopy (IR), gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) or other instrumental or wet-chemical methods.

Direct measure of elemental or chemical species on fabric by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, infared reflectance spectroscopy, furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, and other instrumental or wet-chemical analysis methods.

Identification of specific finishing components by chemical spot tests on the textile or extracts from textiles.

This test method is intended for evaluating the resistance of fabrics and other flexible materials to abrasion.

An unfettered fabric specimen is driven by an impeller (rotor) along a zigzag course in a generally circular orbit within a cylindrical chamber, so that it repeatedly impinges on the walls and abradant liner of the chamber while at the same time being continually subjected to extremely rapid, high velocity impacts. The specimen is subjected to flexing, rubbing, shock, compression, stretching and other mechanical forces during the test. Abrasion is produced throughout the specimen by rubbing of yarn against yarn, fiber against fiber, surface against surface and surface against abradant.

This is an accelerated test method to determine the potential damage caused by retained chlorine. It has been designed for use on cotton and rayon fabrics, but may be used on any fabric or finish that is not damaged by heat alone.

The fabrics are treated in sodium hypochlorite solution, rinsed, dried, and pressed between two hot metal plates. The damaging action of the retained chlorine is calculated from the difference in tensile strength before and after pressing.

1. Purpose and Scope

1.1 The objective is to qualitatively detect bacteriostatic activity on products that are treated with antimicrobials and are capable of producting a zone of inhibitation. Some test samples do not have a flat surface, therefore, this method provides the advantage of testing odd shaped and non-flat surfaces by partially embedding them into molden agar prior to solidification. This provides the intimate contact required between the test sample and the seeded agar.

AATCC 88C-2018 is intended to determine the retention of pressed-in creases in fabrics after being subjected to home laundering procedures. Several washing and drying procedures provide standard parameters to represent common home care options.

Creases in any washable fabric (woven, knitted or nonwoven) may be evaluated for retention using this method.

Techniques for creasing are not outlined, since the purpose is to evaluate creases as they will be supplied from manufacturing or as ready for use. Furthermore, creasing techniques would be controlled by fabric properties.

AATCC 89-2019 provides a method for the determination of the presence of mercerization in dyed and undyed cotton yarns and fabrics. In addition, the test will give an indication of the completeness of the reaction between the cotton and the mercerization bath.

Carefully scoured specimens of the cotton to be tested and unmercerized cotton are immersed in separate baths of barium hydroxide for a definite time period. Aliquot portions of each soaking bath and of fresh barium hydroxide solution are then titrated with hydrochloric acid.

The ratio of the amount of barium hydroxide absorbed by the mercerized specimen to that absorbed by the unmercerized specimen multiplied by 100 gives the barium activity number.

AATCC 88B-2018 is intended to determine the smoothness appearance of seams in fabrics after being subjected to home laundering procedures. Severalwashing and drying procedures provide standard parameters to represent common home care options.

Seams in any washable fabric (woven, knitted, or nonwoven) may be evaluated for smoothness using this method.

Techniques for seaming are not outlined, since the purpose is to evaluate seams as they will be supplied from manufacturing or as ready for use. Furthermore, seaming techniques would be controlled by fabric properties.