ASTM D6544-21

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6544 − 21
Standard Practice for
Preparation of Textiles Prior to Ultraviolet (UV)
Transmission Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6544; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
Lot or Process
1.1 This practice covers standardized exposures to
2.2 AATCC Test Methods and Documents:
laundering, simulated sunlight, and chlorinated pool water to
AATCC LP1 Laboratory Procedure for Home Laundering:
simulate two years of seasonal exposure for apparel textiles
Machine Washing
labeled as ultraviolet (UV)-protective.
AATCC LP2 Laboratory Procedure for Home Laundering:
1.2 This practice is used in conjunction with AATCC
Hand Washing
TM183 and Specification D6603 as they relate to testing and
AATCC M11 Glossary of AATCC Standard Terminology
labeling of UV-protective textiles after two years of simulated
AATCC TM16.3 Colorfastness to Light: Xenon-Arc
seasonal use.
AATCC TM162 Test Method for Colorfastness to Water:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Chlorinated Pool
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are AATCC TM172 Test Method for Colorfastness to Powdered
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
Non-chlorine Bleach in Home Laundering
AATCC TM183 Test Method for Transmittance or Blocking
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Fabrics
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
AATCC TM188 Test Method for Colorfastness to Sodium
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Hypochlorite Bleach in Home Laundering
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Terminology
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other textile terms used
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
in this practice, refer to Terminology D123 and AATCC M11.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4. Summary of Practice
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 This practice directs the exposure of a textile labeled as
2. Referenced Documents UV-protective, to laundering, simulated sunlight, and chlori-
nated pool water, conditions generally known to affect UV
2.1 ASTM Standards:
transmittance.
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D3938 Guide for Determining or Confirming Care Instruc- 4.2 This practice guides selection and sequencing of expo-
tions for Apparel and Other Textile Products sure conditions for textiles intended to be labeled as UV-
D6603 Specification for Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles protective.
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The significance of this practice is that a textile intended
to be labeled as UV-protective, which will ultimately be
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD13onTextilesand
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.65 on UV Protective Fabrics and
submitted for UV transmittance testing, will be in a state that
Clothing.
simulates its condition at the end of two years of normal
Current edition approved July 1, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally
seasonal use. UV resistance of a textile is dynamic and will
approvedin2000.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2012asD6544 – 12whichwas
withdrawn January 2021 and reinstated in July 2021. DOI: 10.1520/D6544-21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://
the ASTM website. www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6544 − 21
constantly change.The simulated conditions are to be regarded children’sgarments,thentaketwospecimensfromeachoftwo
as only estimates of the changes that will occur to the textile in garments, the pair of garments constituting a laboratory sam-
two years of normal seasonal use. pling unit.
6.4.7 When a garment is made from different fabrics, at
5.2 To learn the quantitative measure of UVtransmission or
least three test specimens are required of each fabric that
blocking, reference AATCC TM183.
covers 10 % or more of the body surface covered by the
5.3 To label textiles as UV-protective, reference Specifica-
garment.
tion D6603.
7. Procedure
6. Sampling and Test Specimens
7.1 For garments other than swimwear and fabrics intended
6.1 Primary Sampling Unit—Consider rolls or bolts of
to be made into garments other than swimwear, launder 40
fabric, or cartons of garments to be the primary sampling unit,
times using the exposure conditions described in 8.1 and then
as applicable.
take specimens from these fabrics and expose to 100 AATCC
6.1.1 Take the number of primary sampling units from each
Fading Units of simulated sunlight in accordance with the
lot, shipment, or production run in accordance with Practice
conditions described in 8.2 (see Note 1).
E122.
NOTE 1—When this practice was first written 40 launderings was
determined to simulate the equivalent to two years worth of wearing.
6.2 Laboratory Sampling Unit:
Materials made of different fibers or colors, or both, can act differently to
6.2.1 Takethenumberoflaboratorysamplingunitsfromthe
laundering. Some materials may produce higher UPF values, some will
primary sampling unit in accordance with Practice E122.
notchangesignificantly,whileothersmayproducelowerUPFvaluesafter
6.2.2 Rolls or Bolts of Fabric—Take from each primary laundering. Without prior knowledge of how materials will act to
laundering, 40 launderings is necessary to allow for the evaluation of the
sampling unit one full-width piece of fabric that is about 1 m
materials that will show a decrease in UPF values.
(1 yd) in length along the selvage (machine direction), after
7.2 For swimwear and fabric intended for swimwear, laun-
removing a first 1-mm length. For narrow fabrics, a longer
der 40 times in accordance with the exposure conditions
sample length may be required to meet the test specimen
described in 8.1. Then take specimens from the laundered
requirements.
fabricsorgarmentsandexposethosespecimensto100AATCC
6.2.3 Garments—Takefromeachprimarysamplingunitone
Fading Units of simulated sunlight in accordance with the
entire garment. For small garments, such as children’s, where
conditions described in 8.2 and then to chlorinated water in
sufficient material is not available to meet the three test
accordance with the conditions described in 8.3.
specimensrequirement,takeapairofgarmentsandtreatasone
sampling unit.
7.3 Garments and fabrics intended for use in garments other
than swimsuits that are sold with the expectation they will not
6.3 Laundering—Unless exempt from laundering, launder
be laundered (such as disposable or limited-use garments for
thelaboratorysamplingunitorasectionofitthatisatleast380
pesticide application) need only be exposed to simulated
by 380 mm (15 by 15 in.) using exposure conditions as
sunlight.
described in 8.1. If the laboratory sampling unit does not have
the minimum 380 mm dimension, then take a section that is at
2 2 8. Exposure Conditions
least 1450 cm (225 in. ). For small samples, it may be
necessary to seal the edges to prevent raveling during launder- 8.1 Laundering:
8.1.1 Conditions of Exposure—Hand washing or automatic
ing.
machine washing, wash water temperature, agitation cycle in
6.4 Test Specimens—As test specimens, take from each
automatic laundering, drying method and temperature if ma-
laboratory sampling unit at least three specimens of each fabric
chine drying, and use of bleach must be those that will be
type.
conveyed to the consumer on the care label attached to the
6.4.1 For simulated sunlight and chlorinated water testing,
fabric/garment.Those conditions should have been determined
cut test specimens 125 by 180 mm (5 by 7 in.).
by following Guide D3938. See Table 1 for a summary of
6.4.2 Cut specimens representing a broad distribution di-
laundering options.
agonally across the width of the laboratory sampling unit.
8.1.1.1 Care procedures determined in accordance with
Ensure specimens are free of folds, creases, or wrinkles.Avoid
GuideD3938maybemodifiedwhenitisestablishedthatthose
getting oil water, grease, and so forth on the specimens when
procedures increase the UV-transmittance of the fabric.
handling. For printed fabrics, ensure that all colors in the
pattern are contained in the test specimen.
TABLE 1 Laundering Options
6.4.3 For fabric widths 125 mm (5 in.) or more, take no
specimen closer than 25 mm (1 in.) from the selvage edge. Detergent
Test Method Detergent Bleach Options
Type
6.4.4 For fabric widths less than 125 mm (5 in.) use the
AATCC LP1 AATCC w
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