EN ISO 105-N03:1995

Overview

The EN ISO 105-N03:1995 standard, titled Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part N03: Colour fastness to bleaching - Sodium chlorite (mild), specifies a reliable method for evaluating the resistance of textile colours to mild bleaching using sodium chlorite. This standard is essential for textiles composed of natural and regenerated cellulose fibers, as well as synthetic fibers, reflecting typical commercial textile processing conditions. By simulating mild bleaching, this test helps manufacturers and quality controllers ensure that textile products maintain their color integrity and overall quality during bleaching treatments.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose
  This standard applies to textiles made from cellulose fibers-both natural and regenerated-and some synthetic fibers, focusing on their reaction to sodium chlorite bleaching under mild conditions.

• Testing Principle
  A textile specimen is placed in contact with one or two types of specified adjacent fabrics and treated in a controlled sodium chlorite bleaching solution. Post-treatment, the specimen is rinsed and dried for evaluation.

• Test Setup

  • The specimen is sewn to a multifibre adjacent fabric or two single-fibre adjacent fabrics.
  • Bleaching solution: Sodium chlorite solution at 1 g/l concentration, adjusted to pH 3.5 with acetic acid.
  • Treatment conditions: Immersion for 1 hour at 80°C ± 2°C with a liquor ratio of 50:1.

• Evaluation Method
  Colour change of the test specimen and staining of adjacent fabrics are measured using grey scales based on ISO 105-A02 and ISO 105-A03, allowing for standardized and consistent assessment.

• Reporting Requirements
  Test reports must include the standard reference, sample identification, numerical ratings for color change and staining, and details of the adjacent fabrics used.

Applications

• Textile Manufacturing Quality Control
  Ensuring that fabrics and finished products perform well under bleaching treatments common in textile processing.

• Product Development
  Assisting producers and designers in selecting suitable dyes and textile materials that can sustain colorfastness through mild bleaching.

• Regulatory Compliance and Certification
  Meeting international color fastness requirements to satisfy customer and regulatory demands for textile product quality.

• Performance Benchmarking
  Providing consistent and comparable data on colour durability to differentiate textile products in a competitive market.

Related Standards

• ISO 105-A01: General Principles of Testing
  Establishes the foundational principles and protocols for color fastness tests, which EN ISO 105-N03 follows.

• ISO 105-A02: Grey Scale for Assessing Change in Colour
  Provides the scale for evaluating colour changes after exposure to bleaching.

• ISO 105-A03: Grey Scale for Assessing Staining
  Offers the standard for measuring staining transferred to adjacent fabrics, crucial for understanding cross-colour contamination.

• ISO 105-F: Standard Adjacent Fabrics
  Specifies the adjacent fabrics required for color fastness testing to ensure standardized interactions.

Conclusion

EN ISO 105-N03:1995 is a critical standard for the textile industry, facilitating accurate assessment of textile colour fastness under mild sodium chlorite bleaching conditions. Compliance ensures high-quality, durable textiles that meet industrial and consumer expectations. This standardized testing method supports innovation, quality control, and regulatory adherence in textile production, making it indispensable for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and quality assurance professionals.

Keywords: EN ISO 105-N03, colour fastness test, sodium chlorite bleaching, textile colour resistance, mild bleaching, textile testing, cellulose fibres, grey scale assessment, colorfastness standards, textile quality control.