AATCC Consumables

Product Introduction:

AATCC Consumables are standardized materials and supplies required to accurately perform test methods developed and published by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). These materials are meticulously controlled and manufactured to strict specifications to ensure the consistency and reproducibility of test results across different laboratories and over time. Using genuine AATCC Consumables is essential for compliance with AATCC test methods and for obtaining reliable data on textile properties.

These consumables are integral to a wide range of AATCC test methods, particularly those related to colorfastness, appearance, and physical properties of textile materials. They serve as critical components that influence the outcome of the test and help eliminate variables that could otherwise affect the results.

Examples of common AATCC Consumables include:

Standard Reference Detergents: Specifically formulated powder or liquid detergents, often available with or without optical brighteners, designed to replicate typical consumer detergents but with strict lot-to-lot consistency for use in laundering and washfastness tests.

Standard Adjacent Fabrics (Multifiber Fabrics): Undyed fabrics made from multiple types of fibers (e.g., cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, acrylic, acetate) woven or knitted together. These are sewn alongside the test specimen in colorfastness tests to evaluate staining or color transfer from the tested material.

Standard Test Fabrics: Standardized fabrics made from specific fiber types (e.g., bleached cotton) used as control materials or as part of test assemblies in various methods.

Gray Scales for Color Change and Staining: Standardized visual scales consisting of pairs of gray chips or gray and white chips. These are used by trained observers to visually rate the degree of color change of a tested specimen or the amount of staining on an adjacent fabric after a colorfastness test.

Blue Wool Scales: Standardized textile specimens dyed with blue dyes of varying lightfastness. These are used in lightfastness tests as a reference to compare the fading of the test specimen to materials with known light resistance.

Specific Abrasive Materials: Standardized abrasive fabrics, papers, or other materials used in abrasion or pilling tests.

Other Supplies: This can include specific types of balls (e.g., stainless steel balls for laundering tests), standardized blotting paper, specific chemical reagents, or other materials required by a particular test method.

The consistent use of these standardized consumables, along with properly calibrated equipment and adherence to test procedures, is fundamental to achieving accurate, repeatable, and comparable textile testing results that meet AATCC standards.