Overview
EN ISO 105‑N02:1995 (ISO 105‑N02:1993) specifies a laboratory method for assessing colour fastness to bleaching - peroxide for textiles. The standard covers textiles of all kinds and in all forms and describes how to expose a test specimen, in contact with one or two specified adjacent fabrics, to a peroxide-containing bleaching bath used in textile processing. After treatment the change in colour of the specimen and any staining of adjacent fabrics are evaluated using the standard grey scales.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and principle
- Determines resistance of textile colours to peroxide bleaching baths commonly used in processing.
- Composite specimens (textile + adjacent fabric(s)) are immersed in the bleaching solution, rinsed and dried before assessment.
- Apparatus and reagents
- Simple laboratory equipment such as a suitably sized test tube and reflux condenser to reduce evaporation.
- A defined bleaching bath formulation and controlled heating (temperatures and durations are specified in the standard).
- Use of grade water and chemical auxiliaries (e.g., stabilizers, pH adjustment).
- Adjacent fabrics and specimens
- Two options: a standard multifibre adjacent fabric (ISO 105‑F10) or two single‑fibre adjacent fabrics chosen to represent likely staining behavior.
- Typical specimen size: 40 mm × 100 mm; composite specimen is rolled and immersed with a specified liquor ratio (30:1).
- Procedure
- Treatment in the specified peroxide bath for the time and temperature indicated by the chosen bath type, followed by a 10-minute cold rinse and air drying (contact only at one stitched edge; drying ≤ 60 °C).
- Assessment and reporting
- Use ISO grey scales for change in colour and for staining (ISO 105‑A02 and ISO 105‑A03).
- Test report must include standard reference, sample identification, bath used, numerical ratings for colour change and staining, and details of adjacent fabrics.
Applications and users
- Textile manufacturers and dye houses for quality control and batch acceptance.
- Textile testing laboratories and R&D teams validating dye/bath stability and process parameters.
- Chemical formulators and bleaching process designers assessing compatibility of dyes with peroxide bleaching.
- Brand owners, certification bodies and procurement teams using objective test data for supplier specifications and compliance.
Related standards
- ISO 105 series (general colour fastness testing principles)
- ISO 105‑A01, ISO 105‑A02 (grey scale for change), ISO 105‑A03 (grey scale for staining)
- ISO 105‑F10 (specification for multifibre adjacent fabric)
Keywords: EN ISO 105‑N02, ISO 105‑N02, colour fastness, bleaching, peroxide, textiles, grey scale, multifibre adjacent fabric, test method, textile testing.