RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — December 17, 2012 — The 2013 AATCC Technical Manual, which will be available in January 2013, features multiple revisions of already published methods plus several new methods. This includes:
New Test Methods:
200-2012, Drying Rate of Textiles at their Absorbent Capacity: Air Flow Method. This method determines the drying rate of textiles based on the evaporation rate that occurs at their approximate absorbent capacity.
201-2012, Drying Rate of Fabrics: Heated Plate Method. This method determines the drying rate of a fabric based on the evaporative rate that occurs when the fabric is placed in contact with a prescribed amount of water at the interface of a heated metal plate, held to a constant temperature.
202-2012, Relative Hand Value of Textiles: Instrumental Method. This method is for the determination of an instrumental relative hand value using the mechanical properties measured on a selected reference fabric and a comparable candidate fabric. This method does not intend to replace subjective evaluation of hand.
A New Monograph:
M10, Barré: Visual Assessment Descriptive Terms and Terminology. Test Method 178, Barré: Visual Assessment and Grading, has been withdrawn from the AATCC Technical Manual. A new monograph was developed in order to keep the descriptive terms and terminology for guidance.
Revisions:
TM 16-2004, Colorfastness to Light, as written, currently contains six options that can be used. Due to the number of options, users can become confused about which sections of the method apply to their desired option. The current method has been revised to streamline the procedure, and by splitting it into three new test methods, is designated as follows:
16.1-2012, Colorfastness to Light: Outdoor. This test method provides the general principles and procedures for determining the colorfastness to light of textile materials outdoors under glass. This method supersedes TM 16-2004, Option 6-Daylight Behind Glass. A flow chart is included as an appendix to the method for assistance in performing the method.
16.2-2012, Colorfastness to Light: Carbon-Arc. This test method provides the general principles and procedures for determining the colorfastness to light of textile materials using an enclosed carbon-arc apparatus. This method supersedes TM 16-2004, Options 1-Enclosed Carbon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light, and 2-Enclosed Carbon-Arc Lamp, Alternate Light and Dark. A flow chart is included as an appendix to the method for assistance in performing the method.
16.3-2012, Colorfastness to Light: Xenon-Arc. This test method provides the general principles and procedures for determining the colorfastness to light of textile materials using a xenon-arc apparatus. This method supersedes TM 16-2004, Options 3-Xenon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light, Black Panel Option, 4-Xenon-Arc Lamp, Alternate Light and Dark, and 5-Xenon-Arc Lamp, Continuous Light, Black Standard Option. Option 3, which is the most used option from current TM 16, will still be option 3 in this new method. A flow chart is included as an appendix to the method for assistance in performing the method. Also, the use of xenon reference fabric has been removed from the method.
AATCC Monograph M6, Standardization of Home Laundry Test Conditions, has been revised to include the addition of washing machine parameters for High Efficiency top load washing machines, updated washing machine parameters for top load and front load washing machines and updated washing temperatures used in all machines, and a description of a "key-dance" feature that will be available in some of the 2013 washing machines of all platforms for normal and delicate cycles. The "key-dance" feature is a preprogrammed washing cycle that is accessed by using a specific combination of control panel buttons.
