SDL Atlas M231 Perspiration and Water Color Fastness Tester

Overview

The SDL Atlas M231 Perspiration and Water Color Fastness Tester is an engineered laboratory instrument designed to evaluate the resistance of textile dyes and pigments to color migration under controlled conditions of moisture, pressure, and temperature—specifically simulating human perspiration and aqueous exposure. It operates in strict accordance with internationally recognized test protocols including ISO 105-E04 (Color fastness to perspiration), ISO 105-E01 (Color fastness to water), BS EN ISO 105-E04, and AATCC Test Method 15. The device employs a standardized sandwich assembly method: textile specimens are placed between multifiber adjacent fabrics and subjected to defined compressive loading via calibrated stainless-steel weights, then conditioned in a thermostatically controlled environment for a prescribed duration (typically 4–6 hours at 37 ± 2 °C). This methodology replicates the physicochemical stressors that trigger dye bleeding, crocking, or staining during real-world wear and laundering.

Key Features

• Two precision-machined stainless-steel sample frames, each accommodating up to 10 specimens (20 total per test cycle), ensuring high-throughput evaluation without cross-contamination.
• Inter-specimen isolation using chemically inert acrylic divider plates—non-reactive to acidic/alkaline perspiration solutions and resistant to swelling or leaching under humid thermal conditions.
• Compliance-ready weight sets supplied: ISO-standard (11.5 ± 0.1 kg) and AATCC-standard (4.9 ± 0.1 kg) stainless-steel press weights, traceable to national metrological standards.
• Modular design facilitates rapid setup, cleaning, and validation; all wetted surfaces are electropolished stainless steel for corrosion resistance and ease of residue removal.
• Integrated temperature monitoring with Class II accuracy (±0.5 °C) across the full operating range (ambient to 50 °C), supporting GLP-compliant documentation when paired with external data loggers.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The M231 accepts standard textile specimens measuring 100 mm × 40 mm, compatible with woven, knitted, nonwoven, and coated substrates—including technical textiles, apparel fabrics, upholstery, and automotive interiors. Specimens are tested in conjunction with ISO 105-F10 (multifiber fabric) or single-fiber adjacent fabrics as required by method specifications. The system supports both acidic (pH 4.3) and alkaline (pH 8.0) artificial perspiration solutions per ISO 105-E04 Annex A. All mechanical and thermal parameters align with ISO/IEC 17025 calibration requirements for testing laboratories, and the instrument’s operational consistency meets the repeatability criteria outlined in ISO 105-A02 (General principles of assessment). Documentation packages include test record templates compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.8 and support audit readiness for brands requiring adherence to ZDHC MRSL or OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 workflows.

Software & Data Management

While the M231 operates as a benchtop manual test platform without embedded firmware or touchscreen interface, it is fully compatible with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic lab notebooks (ELN) through standardized reporting outputs. Users generate structured test reports—including specimen ID, lot number, solution pH, test duration, temperature profile, weight application time, and evaluator-assigned gray scale ratings (ISO 105-A02)—in PDF or CSV format. When integrated with optional external environmental data loggers (e.g., Vaisala HMP155 or Omega OM-EL-USB-TC), full thermohygrometric traceability is achieved, satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records when combined with appropriate access controls and audit trail configuration.

Applications

• Pre-production validation of dye formulations and pigment dispersion stability in reactive, vat, acid, and disperse dye systems.
• Quality control screening of finished garments, home textiles, and industrial fabrics prior to shipment.
• Root cause analysis of color transfer incidents in multi-component assemblies (e.g., denim with leather trims, sportswear with mesh inserts).
• Regulatory submission testing for EU REACH Annex XVII compliance, particularly regarding azo dye restrictions and migration limits.
• Supplier qualification audits conducted by global retailers enforcing RSL (Restricted Substances List) programs such as WRAP, GOTS, or Higg Index Module 3.

FAQ

Does the M231 include an integrated drying oven?
No—the M231 is dedicated solely to the compression and conditioning phase of perspiration and water fastness testing. An external convection oven meeting ISO 105-B02 specifications (e.g., 50 ± 2 °C for 30 minutes) is required for post-test drying and must be validated separately.
Can the instrument accommodate specimens larger than 100 mm × 40 mm?
No—specimen dimensions are fixed by international standards to ensure inter-laboratory reproducibility. Oversized samples must be trimmed to nominal size prior to mounting.
Is calibration certification included with purchase?
A factory-issued calibration report for temperature uniformity and weight mass is provided. Full ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration requires engagement with an accredited third-party provider using NIST-traceable references.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Stainless-steel frames and dividers should be cleaned with deionized water and ethanol after each test series; quarterly inspection of weight surface finish and frame flatness is advised to maintain compressive load fidelity.
Are replacement multifiber fabrics supplied by SDL Atlas?
SDL Atlas does not supply adjacent fabrics directly; users source ISO 105-F10 certified multifiber strips from approved vendors such as SDL Atlas’s authorized distribution partners or certified textile testing consumables suppliers (e.g., James Heal, Testex AG).