- PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
To determine dimensional changes of garments or fabrics when
subjected to laundering procedures commonly used in the home.
- PRINCIPLE:
The dimensional changes of garment samples subjected to procedures typical
of home laundering and drying practices are measured using benchmarks applied to the
garment before laundering.
- REFERENCE:
AATCC Test Method 150-2003, Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home
Laundering of Garments.
- APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:
4.1 Automatic washing machine (see note)
4.2 Automatic tumble dryer (see note)
4.3 1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent
4.4 Ballast of 92 x 92 cm (36 x 36 in.) hemmed pieces of bleached cotton sheeting (wash
load ballast type 1) 50/50 polyester/cotton bleached and mercerized poplin (wash load
ballast type 2), or 50/50 polyester/cotton bleached mercerized plain weave (wash load
ballast type 3)
4.5 Facilities for drip drying and line drying
4.6 Indelible marker
4.7 Ruler calibrated in tenths of an inch
- PROCEDURE:
5.1 Lay each test specimen on flat, smooth, horizontal surface and place
gauge marks of 10 inches in length and width directions using indelible marker. If placing
10 inch gauge is not possible due to the test samples not being large enough, use as long
gauge marks as possible in length and width. A minimum of three samples is preferred for
testing.
5.2 Weigh specimens to be laundered and add ballast load of 50/50 poly/cotton fabric to
make total of 4 lbs. wash load.
5.3 Set washing machine to deliver full water volume. Fill with water of selected
temperature as determined by care instructions on garment (test specimen) label.
5.4 Add 66 +/- 1 grams of 1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent
5.5 Add load to be washed.
5.6 Set washer for appropriate cycle as reflected on care label. Allow washing to
proceed automatically through the final spin cycle. Remove test specimens immediately and
dry by method indicated on care label of the test specimen.
5.7 Repeat the selected washing and drying cycles four more times. Condition test
specimens before measuring dimensional change at end of each cycle.
5.8 Condition test specimens for a minimum of 4 hours at 21° +/- 1C (70° +/- 2F) and 65%
+/- 2% RH before measuring dimensional change.
5.9 Lay specimen on a flat smooth, horizontal surface. Measure and record distance
between each set of gauge marks.
- EVALUATION:
Instead of determining dimensional change at the end of each laundering
cycle, measuring dimensional change after 3 or 5 laundering cycles is acceptable.
- REPORT:
Calculate dimensional change in length and width using a ruler calibrated in
tenths of an inch as follows:
| % dimensional change = |
100 ( B - A ) / A |
| |
A = original dimension B =
dimension after laundering |
Both original and final dimensions are the averages of the measurements in length and
width made on the three test specimens. Calculate length and width averages separately to
nearest 0.1%. A final measurement smaller than the original measurement results in a
negative dimensional change which is shrinkage. A final measurement larger than the
original measurement results in a positive dimensional change which is growth and is
expressed using (+) plus sign.
- NOTES:
8.1 Contact
AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; tel:
919-549-8141; fax: 919-549-8933, e-mail: orders@aatcc.org
for model number(s) and source(s) of current approved washer(s) and dryer(s)
8.2 Detergent is available from AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709; tel: 919-549-8141; fax: 919-549-8933, e-mail: orders@aatcc.org.
8.3 Ballast is available from Testfabrics, Inc., P.O. Box 26, 415 Delaware St., W.
Pittston, PA 18643; tel: 717-603-0432; fax: 717-603-0433
8.4 Marking pens with different size tips are available from Mark-Tex Corp., Box 681,
Englewood, NJ 07631 and AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709;
tel:
919-549-8141; fax: 919-549-8933; e-mail: orders@aatcc.org.
8.5 Ruled template is available from AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709, tel: 919-549-8141; fax 919-549-8933, e-mail: orders@aatcc.org.
