What is EN ISO 105 DO5: 2003

EN ISO 105 DO5:2003 is a professional technical standard used in the textile industry to assess the colorfastness of textiles. It provides a set of established procedures and criteria to evaluate the ability of textiles to retain their color when exposed to various conditions.

Understanding Colorfastness

Colorfastness refers to the ability of a fabric or textile to maintain its original color under different external factors such as washing, light exposure, rubbing, and perspiration. It is an important quality attribute for both consumers and manufacturers, ensuring that the textile product remains visually appealing and has a longer lifespan.

EN ISO 105 DO5 specifically focuses on assessing colorfastness to rubbing or crocking. Rubbing can occur during normal usage, such as when clothing items come into contact with furniture, bags, or other surfaces. The test evaluates the extent to which the dyestuff transfers from the textile to another material through rubbing.

The Test Procedure

The EN ISO 105 DO5 test involves rubbing a piece of white cotton fabric against the textile being assessed with a specified amount of pressure. The textile sample is securely fixed to a rubbing fastness tester, and a weighted rubbing finger moves back and forth across the fabric surface. The number of rubs, the force applied, and the evaluation criteria vary depending on the specific requirements of the standard.

The transferred dye is then rated using a grey scale. The rating scale ranges from 1 (severe staining) to 5 (no staining). This allows manufacturers to determine the overall colorfastness of a textile product and ensure it meets the desired quality standards.

Importance and Applications

EN ISO 105 DO5 is crucial for textile manufacturers, designers, and consumers. It helps manufacturers ensure that their products meet the expected colorfastness requirements, allowing them to deliver high-quality textiles to the market. For designers, understanding and adhering to this standard ensures their creations maintain their original colors even after prolonged use.

Consumers benefit from EN ISO 105 DO5 as it provides them with reliable information about the colorfastness of a textile product before purchasing it. This knowledge allows consumers to make informed decisions, ensuring they invest in durable products that do not lose their color quickly.

In summary, EN ISO 105 DO5:2003 plays a vital role in the textile industry by establishing standardized procedures for assessing colorfastness to rubbing or crocking. By enabling manufacturers, designers, and consumers to evaluate and understand the colorfastness properties of textiles, it contributes to the production and consumption of high-quality, long-lasting textile products.