SDL Atlas M232 Spray Rating Tester for Water Repellency
| Brand | SDL Atlas |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shenzhen, China |
| Manufacturer | Yes |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | M232 |
| Pricing | Upon Request |
Overview
The SDL Atlas M232 Spray Rating Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed to evaluate the surface water repellency of woven, knitted, and nonwoven textile fabrics in strict accordance with AATCC Test Method 22 (Water Repellency: Spray Test) and ISO 4920 (Textiles — Resistance to wetting — Spray test). It operates on the principle of standardized dynamic liquid impingement: distilled or deionized water is delivered through a calibrated brass spray nozzle at a defined flow rate and angle (45°), impacting the conditioned fabric specimen positioned precisely 150 mm below the nozzle tip. The resulting wetting pattern—characterized by discrete droplet distribution, bead formation, and localized absorption—is visually assessed against the official AATCC Spray Rating Chart (0–100 scale), enabling quantitative classification of repellency performance. This method is widely accepted for quality control in technical apparel, outdoor gear, protective workwear, and functional home textiles where surface moisture management is critical.
Key Features
- Durable 316 stainless steel structural frame engineered for long-term corrosion resistance in humid laboratory environments and repeated exposure to water.
- Precision-machined brass spray nozzle with fixed 45° orientation and certified flow consistency per AATCC TM 22 requirements.
- Fixed vertical distance of 150 mm between nozzle orifice and specimen support surface—mechanically stabilized to eliminate operator-induced variation.
- Integrated quick-lock sample holder featuring a spring-loaded push-pin mechanism; enables tool-free, repeatable specimen mounting and removal within seconds.
- Optimized ergonomic design with smooth, weld-free surfaces and minimal crevices to support ISO/IEC 17025-compliant laboratory housekeeping and cleaning protocols.
- Compliance-ready configuration: no electronic components or software dependencies, ensuring full traceability and auditability under GLP and GMP frameworks.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The M232 accommodates standard AATCC TM 22 specimens measuring 180 mm × 180 mm, mounted tautly without stretching using the stainless steel clamping system. It supports both flat and slightly contoured substrates (e.g., coated fabrics, laminates, membrane composites) provided dimensional stability is maintained during spraying. The instrument satisfies all mechanical and procedural requirements specified in AATCC TM 22–2023, ISO 4920:2012, and JIS L 1092 Annex A. While not an electronic measurement device, its physical geometry, material construction, and repeatability are validated per ASTM E2586 (Standard Guide for Statistical Analysis of Experimental Data) for inter-laboratory reproducibility studies. Calibration verification is performed using reference water flow rate checks (±1 mL tolerance over 250 mL delivery) and nozzle alignment gauges traceable to NIST standards.
Software & Data Management
The M232 is a fully manual, analog testing instrument with no embedded electronics, firmware, or data logging capability. All test execution—including water volume delivery timing, specimen conditioning (per AATCC TM 20A), and rating assignment—is conducted per written standard operating procedures (SOPs) and documented manually on laboratory worksheets or LIMS-integrated forms. This architecture ensures compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (where applicable to regulated textile end-uses such as medical gowns), eliminates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and simplifies IQ/OQ/PQ validation for ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. Digital image capture of spray patterns may be performed externally using calibrated cameras and referenced against the AATCC Spray Rating Chart (Cat. No. 100012), with metadata stored in accordance with institutional document retention policies.
Applications
- Quality assurance of water-repellent finishes on nylon, polyester, cotton, and blended outerwear fabrics.
- Batch-to-batch evaluation of DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatments prior to garment assembly.
- R&D screening of novel hydrophobic coatings, nanocomposite membranes, and plasma-treated surfaces.
- Third-party certification testing for OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, bluesign®, and UL GREENGUARD requirements related to surface functionality.
- Failure analysis of repellency loss after laundering, abrasion, or chemical exposure per AATCC TM 135 and TM 195.
FAQ
What standards does the M232 comply with?
It is fully aligned with AATCC TM 22, ISO 4920, and JIS L 1092 Annex A for spray rating methodology.
Is distilled water required?
Yes—AATCC TM 22 mandates distilled or deionized water (conductivity ≤ 2 µS/cm) to eliminate ion interference with droplet behavior.
Can the instrument be used for non-textile materials?
While optimized for fabrics, it may be applied to flexible sheet materials (e.g., coated papers, thin polymer films) if they meet dimensional and mounting criteria—but results are not directly comparable to textile ratings without method adaptation.
Does SDL Atlas provide calibration services?
Yes—annual mechanical verification, nozzle flow calibration, and alignment certification are available through SDL Atlas’ global service network with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited reports.
Is operator training included with purchase?
Comprehensive SOP documentation, video-based procedural guides, and optional on-site or virtual training sessions are offered to ensure consistent implementation across multi-site labs.
