
Copyright © 2022 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2023 AATCC TM109-2011(2016)e 191
Developed in 1963 by AATCC Commit-
tee RA33; revised 1972, 1986, 1987,
2011; reaffirmed 1971, 1975, 1983,
1992, 2002, 2005, 2016; editorially
revised 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989,
1995, 2008, 2010, 2019; editorially re-
vised and reaffirmed 1997. Partly
equivalent to ISO 105-G03.
1. Purpose and Scope
1.1 This test method is intended for de-
termining the resistance of the color of
textiles to the action of ozone in the at-
mosphere at room temperatures with rela-
tive humidities not exceeding 67%.
2. Principle
2.1 A test specimen is exposed to
ozone in an atmosphere under ambient
temperatures (64-82°F) and relative hu-
midities not exceeding 67%. The cycle is
repeated (1) until the specimen shows a
definite color change or (2) for a pre-
scribed number of cycles.
3. Terminology
3.1 colorfastness, n.—the resistance of
a material to change in any of its color
characteristics, to transfer of its color-
ant(s) to adjacent materials or both, as a
result of the exposure of the material to
any environment that might be encoun-
tered during the processing, testing, stor-
age or use of the material.
4. Safety Precautions
NOTE: These safety precautions are
for information purposes only. The safety
precautions are ancillary to the testing
procedures and are not intended to be all
inclusive. It is the user’s responsibility to
use safe and proper techniques in han-
dling materials in this test method. Manu-
facturers MUST be consulted for specific
details such as material safety data sheets
and other manufacturer’s recommenda-
tions. All OSHA standards and rules
must also be consulted and followed.
4.1 Good laboratory practices should
be followed. Wear safety glasses in all
laboratory areas.
4.2 Manufacturer’s safety recommen-
dations should be followed when operat-
ing laboratory testing equipment. To pro-
tect the eyes further, do not look at ozone
generator while it is operating.
4.3 Ozone is a sensory irritant. The test
cabinet should be vented to the outside
atmosphere in accordance with the manu-
facturer’s specifications. Ozone in even
moderate concentrations is injurious to
health.
4.4 Exposure to chemicals used in this
procedure must be controlled at or below
levels set by governmental authorities
(e.g., Occupational Safety and Health
Administration’s [OSHA] permissible ex-
posure limits [PEL] as found in 29 CFR
1910.1000; see web site: www.osha.gov
for latest version). In addition, the Ameri-
can Conference of Governmental Indus-
trial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold
Limit Values (TLVs) comprised of time
weighted averages (TLV-TWA), short
term exposure limits (TLV-STEL) and
ceiling limits (TLV-C) are recommended
as a general guide for air contaminant ex-
posure which should be met (see 12.1).
5. Uses and Limitations
5.1 Although this test works well for
some substrates, it is not suitable for ny-
lon carpets. For nylon carpets, refer to
AATCC TM129, Test Method for Color-
fastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere Un-
der High Humidities.
6. Apparatus and Materials (see 12.2)
6.1 Ozone exposure chamber for ambi-
ent temperatures and relative humidities
not to exceed 67% (see 12.3).
6.2 Gray Scale for Color Change
(AATCC EP1) (see 12.4).
7. Test Specimens
7.1 Cut each test specimen at least 10.0
× 6.0 cm (4.0 × 2.375 in.). For subse-
quent color comparisons, keep the unex-
posed sample in an airtight container
away from light to avoid shade change.
7.2 When a laundered or drycleaned
specimen is used, the effects of ozone are
based on comparisons with the color of
the unexposed laundered or drycleaned
specimen. To prepare specimens for
testing after laundering or drycleaning,
use AATCC TM61, Test Method for Col-
orfastness to Laundering: Accelerated, and
AATCC TM132, Test Method for Color-
fastness to Drycleaning, respectively.
8. Procedure
8.1 Suspend the test specimens in the
exposure chamber (see 12.3). The test ap-
paratus should be located in a room in
which the ambient air temperature is 18-
28°C (64-82°F) and the relative humidity
does not exceed 67%. For reference and
interlab testing, conduct tests in a room
or chamber with the standard atmo-
spheric conditions of 21 ± 2°C (70 ± 4°F)
and 65 ± 5% RH. Ozone should be
present in concentrations of 4.5 ± 1 ppm
for 4.5 ± 1 h. This constitutes one cycle
(see 12.5).
8.2 Remove those specimens which
exhibit a color change at the end of one
cycle. One cycle will generally produce a
measurable color change in specimens
which are ozone sensitive.
8.3 Run additional similar cycles as
necessary.
9. Evaluation
9.1 At the end of each cycle immedi-
ately compare those specimens which are
removed from the exposure chamber with
the preserved originals from which they
were drawn.
9.2 Rate the effect on color of test
specimens after any specified number of
cycles by reference to the Gray Scale for
Color Change (AATCC (EP1) or using
AATCC EP7, Instrumental Assessment
of the Change in Color of a Test Speci-
men, and record the numerical rating that
corresponds to the appropriate one on the
Gray Scale. Report the number of cycles
run (see 12.6).
10. Report
10.1 Report the numerical grade for the
change in color of each test specimen, the
number of cycles run and the temperature
and relative humidity at which the test
was performed.
11. Precision and Bias
11.1 Precision. Precision for this test
method has not been established. Until a
precision statement is generated for this
test method, use standard statistical tech-
niques in making any comparisons of test
results for either within-laboratory or
between-laboratory averages.
11.2 Bias. Colorfastness to ozone in
the atmosphere under low humidities can
be defined only in terms of a test method.
There is no independent method for de-
termining the true values. As a means of
estimating these properties, the method
has no known bias.
AATCC TM109-2011(2016)e
Test Method for Colorfastness to Ozone
in the Atmosphere under Low Humidities
Copyright The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
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