What Is Water?
The water fastness test is to soak the sample in pure water with its white companion fabric and keep it under pressure at a defined temperature. Color change after wetting and contamination of the accompanying fabric are evaluated on a gray scale.
Purpose of Water
The purpose is to determine whether the product will transfer color if it gets wet other than rain, sweat or is stored in a humid environment.
Which Products Is Water Applied To?
- Outerwear and raincoat
- Towels and beach textiles
- Lining and inner fabrics
- upholstery fabrics
- Printed textiles
In Which Sectors Is Water Used?
Standards Related to Water
- TS EN ISO 105-E01 (water fastness)
- TS EN ISO 105-E02 (seawater fastness)
- TS EN ISO 105-E03 (chlorinated water fastness)
- TS EN ISO 105-A02 / -A03 (rating scales)
Water Conditions
- Liquid
- Pure water (E01); Separate sections are used for sea water and chlorinated water
- Pressure
- With the weight defined in the standard on the perspirometer device
- Dwell
- In the oven at the temperature and time defined in the standard
Equipment for Water
- Perspirometre
- Oven
- Standard illuminated evaluation booth and gray scales
Sample Requirements for Water
- The sample must be sewn together with the accompanying fabric
- A separate specimen for each colour
- Pure water should be used; mains water changes the result
- Unprocessed reference should be reserved for evaluation
Duration of Water
Wetting, holding under pressure and drying constitute the duration of the experiment; Results are usually available within one business day.
Water Procedure
- 1The sample and accompanying fabric are prepared and sewn.
- 2The sample is immersed in pure water for the time defined in the standard.
- 3Excess water is removed and the sample is placed between plates.
- 4It is kept in the oven under a defined weight.
- 5The sample is separated and dried.
- 6Color change and contamination are evaluated on a gray scale.
Water Acceptance Criteria
The standard defines the measurement method, not the passing score. The acceptance threshold is determined by the customer specification; Most retail chains require higher marks for underwear and light colours. When no specification is given, the report reports only the measured grade.
Evaluation of Results
The result is given as a gray scale score of 1–5: color change is evaluated according to the ISO 105-A02 scale, contamination is evaluated according to the ISO 105-A03 scale. 5 means no change, 1 means the most severe change. Intermediate notes (such as 4-5, 3-4) are used.
Water Report
- Sample description and color
- Part of the standard applied
- Color change note
- Contamination note for each fiber in the companion fabric
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- Fuel and LPG market technical regulations (EPDK)
- EU 2009/30/EC (fuel quality directive)
- Communiqués on the placing of lubricating oils on the market
Petroleum, Fuel and Oil Analysis — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Water test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Petroleum, fuel and oil analysis determines whether a fluid meets its specification and how it behaves in use. Standards in this field consist largely of ASTM and EN publications, with a separate method defined for each parameter.
What distinguishes this family is that product specifications are written as PARAMETER LISTS. Specifications such as EN 590 (diesel), EN 228 (petrol), EN 14214 (biodiesel) and ISO 8217 (marine fuels) state for each parameter both the limit and the method by which that limit is to be measured. If the method changes the result may change too; the specification therefore binds the method as well, and the use of an "equivalent method" is possible only where the specification allows it.
On the fuel side, parameters describe three different properties of the product. Physical properties (density, viscosity, distillation curve, pour point, cloud point) determine pumpability and cold weather behaviour. Combustion properties (cetane number, octane number, calorific value) indicate performance in the engine. Contaminant and stability parameters (sulphur, water, sediment, oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion) affect both emissions and storage life.
Oil analysis is carried out for two different purposes and the two must not be confused. Analysis of NEW oil verifies the conformity of the product to its specification: viscosity index, additive content, flash point. Analysis of USED oil, by contrast, is done to read the condition of the machine — elemental analysis shows wear metals (iron, copper, chromium, aluminium), water and fuel contamination point to leaks, and oxidation and acid number determine the remaining life of the oil.
Used oil analysis is therefore a PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE tool. The trend of samples taken at regular intervals is followed; it is the trend rather than a single result that is meaningful. Iron levels climbing over the course of months allow intervention before a failure occurs.
Marine fuels are the most active sub-body of the field. The global tightening of sulphur limits has brought new blended fuels onto the market; for these fuels stability, compatibility (whether two fuels form deposits when mixed) and catalytic fines content have become critical parameters.
Sampling is part of the result in this family too. A sample taken from the bottom of a tank shows different water and sediment content from one taken from the upper level; in commercial deliveries the sampling point and method are set by contract.
Method groups in this field
Physical properties
Density (oscillating U-tube and hydrometer), kinematic viscosity, distillation, pour and cloud point, flash point.
Combustion properties
Cetane number and cetane index, research and motor octane number, calorific value.
Sulphur and elements
Sulphur by UV fluorescence and XRF; elemental analysis and additive content by ICP.
Stability and corrosion
Oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion, water and sediment, filter blocking tendency.
Composition analysis
Boiling range distribution by gas chromatography, hydrocarbon types (FIA), benzene and aromatics content, fatty acid methyl ester content.
Used oil
Wear metals, contamination (water, fuel, soot), oxidation, acid and base number, change in viscosity.
Commonly confused in this field
- The specification binds the method as well; a result measured by a different method may not be accepted for specification conformity.
- A single result on used oil is not meaningful; the decision is made on the trend.
- The sampling point determines the result; the tank bottom and the upper level show different water and sediment.
- The cetane index is a calculated value and is not the same thing as a measured cetane number.
- Fuels blended with biodiesel behave differently in terms of storage life and microbial growth; classical diesel parameters are not sufficient.
- Mixing marine fuels from different sources can cause deposits; compatibility is assessed separately.
Which decisions these results support
- Conformity of a fuel lot to specification and commercial delivery
- Predictive maintenance decisions based on used oil analysis
- Determining parameters for customs and tax classification
- Quality verification after storage, blending and transport
- Compliance with sulphur limits under emissions legislation
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Water
Is there a separate test for sea water or pool water?
There is. ISO 105-E02 is used for sea water and ISO 105-E03 is used for chlorinated pool water. Pure water results are not enough for swimwear and beach products; Salt and chlorine strain the dye differently.