ISO 105-B04-2024 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105-B04:2024 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B04: Colour fastness to artificial weathering: Xenon arc fading lamp test. This edition (PDF available) specifies a laboratory method using a xenon-arc fading lamp to simulate the combined action of light and water on the colour of textiles (except loose fibres) and is intended for assessment of colour fastness where colour performance is the primary evaluation criterion.

Abstract

This document specifies a method for determining the effect on the colour of textiles of exposure to simulated weathering conditions in a test chamber equipped with a xenon arc lamp. It is applicable to textiles of all kinds (except loose fibres) and can be used to identify materials sensitive to the combined effect of light and water. Annex A gives general information on colour fastness to light and the document is aligned with other parts of the ISO 105 series.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: March 2024 (Edition 5; publication recorded in March 2024 — national/adopted editions show publication details through mid‑2024).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 (Textiles).
• Edition / version: Edition 5 (2024).
• Number of pages: 13 pages (ISO edition); note that some national/adopted EN versions include additional national forewords and pagination (commonly 22–25 pages).

Scope

ISO 105-B04:2024 defines a laboratory procedure for assessing colour fastness of textile materials to artificial weathering using a xenon-arc fading lamp, simulating the combined effects of sunlight and water. The method covers specimen preparation, exposure conditions and evaluation of colour change and staining; it is intended for textiles where visual or instrumental assessment of colour fastness is the main concern. The method is not intended for loose fibres.

Key topics and requirements

• Use of a xenon‑arc fading lamp test chamber to simulate solar radiation and weathering effects.
• Specified exposure cycles and conditioning to reproduce combined action of light and water (wet‑light sensitivity testing).
• Requirements for specimen mounting, number of replicates and reference materials.
• Evaluation criteria for colour change and staining (visual greyscale and/or instrumental colour measurement as applicable).
• Reporting format: test parameters, equipment settings, exposure duration, and results to support reproducibility.

Typical use and users

Used by textile test laboratories, manufacturers and suppliers for quality control, R&D teams assessing dyeing and finishing durability, procurement and compliance teams verifying product claims, and certification bodies requiring standardized assessment of colour fastness to artificial weathering. It is also used by laboratories that perform comparative testing for product development and material selection.

Related standards

ISO 105-B04:2024 is part of the wider ISO 105 series (Tests for colour fastness). Relevant related parts include ISO 105-A01 (general principles of testing) and other B‑parts addressing artificial light and weathering such as ISO 105-B10; national/adopted EN versions of ISO 105 parts also exist and may include additional national forewords.

Keywords

colour fastness, artificial weathering, xenon arc, xenon‑arc lamp, textiles, wet‑light sensitivity, ISO 105, test method, lightfastness, weathering test.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105-B04:2024 is an international standard that specifies a laboratory test method — using a xenon‑arc fading lamp — to assess the effect of simulated weathering (light and water) on the colour of textile materials (except loose fibres).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, exposure conditions in a xenon‑arc apparatus, evaluation of colour change/staining and reporting of results for textiles where colour fastness is the primary concern; it is intended to reveal sensitivity to combined light and water exposure.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile test laboratories, manufacturers, R&D and quality assurance teams, procurement and compliance personnel, and certification or inspection bodies that require standardized, reproducible assessment of colour fastness to simulated weathering.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 105-B04:2024 is the current published edition (Edition 5, 2024). It replaces the earlier ISO 105‑B04 editions (for example the 1994 edition was withdrawn and superseded by the 2024 edition).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the ISO 105 series (Tests for colour fastness). See ISO 105‑A01 for general testing principles and other B parts (for example B10) for related artificial weathering and xenon exposure methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Colour fastness; xenon arc; artificial weathering; textiles; lightfastness; wet‑light sensitivity; ISO 105; test method.