ISO 105-N03-1993 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105-N03:1993 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part N03: Colour fastness to bleaching: Sodium chlorite (mild). This part of ISO 105 specifies a laboratory method for determining the resistance of colours on textile materials (principally natural and regenerated cellulose fibres) to mild bleaching baths containing sodium chlorite as typically used in textile processing. Test specimens are treated in a controlled sodium-chlorite bleaching solution in contact with specified adjacent fabrics; after rinsing and drying the change in colour of the specimen and staining of adjacent fabrics are assessed using the grey scale.

Abstract

Provides a standardised procedure to evaluate how textile colours withstand mild sodium‑chlorite bleaching. The test involves treating a specimen (often in contact with one or two standard adjacent fabrics), rinsing and drying under specified conditions, and rating both change in the specimen colour and staining of the adjacent fabrics against the grey scale. The method is intended for textiles composed of natural and regenerated cellulose and for contexts where mild sodium‑chlorite bleaching is relevant in processing.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed in ISO systematic reviews)
• Publication date: October 1993 (Edition 2, 1993)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 (Textiles)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (1993)
• Number of pages: 2 (ISO catalogue listing)

Scope

This standard specifies a laboratory test method for assessing the resistance of dyed textiles (mainly natural and regenerated cellulose fibres) to the action of mild bleaching using sodium chlorite solutions as commonly used in textile processing. It covers specimen preparation (including use of specified adjacent fabrics), bleaching bath composition and conditions, rinsing and drying procedures, and the visual assessment of colour change and staining using the grey scale. The procedure is intended for quality control, comparative testing and evaluation of dye/finish performance where sodium‑chlorite bleaching is a relevant exposure.

Key topics and requirements

• Test purpose: determine resistance of textile colour to mild sodium‑chlorite bleaching.
• Applicable materials: primarily natural and regenerated cellulose textiles (cotton, viscose, similar fibres); guidance on applicability to some blends or synthetics is limited.
• Reagent and bath specification: preparation and concentration of a mild sodium‑chlorite bleaching solution as specified in the method.
• Specimen arrangement: specimen placed in contact with one or two specified adjacent fabrics to assess staining.
• Exposure conditions: defined time, temperature and agitation or contact conditions for the bleaching bath.
• Post‑treatment handling: prescribed rinsing, neutralization (if required) and drying procedures before evaluation.
• Assessment and grading: visual assessment of change in colour of the specimen and staining of adjacent fabrics using the ISO grey scales for change and staining.
• Limitations and safety: sodium chlorite is an oxidizing agent — the standard assumes laboratory safety controls; applicability to non‑cellulosic fibres should be checked case‑by‑case.

Typical use and users

Used by textile and apparel manufacturers, dye houses, finishing mills, independent textile testing laboratories, quality control teams and R&D departments to verify dye and finish performance against mild sodium‑chlorite bleaching. It is applied for comparative testing during product development, incoming material inspection, trouble‑shooting staining/bleaching problems, and when customers or regulators request standardised evidence of bleaching resistance.

Related standards

ISO 105 is a multipart series; related parts commonly referenced together include general principles (ISO 105‑A01 and A series), grey scales and assessment methods (ISO 105‑A02/A03), adjacent fabrics standards (ISO 105‑F series), and other fault/exposure tests such as ISO 105‑C (washing), ISO 105‑B (lightfastness), ISO 105‑E (water and perspiration), and various X/Y series parts for rubbing, boiling, solvent resistance and special exposures. Users commonly apply ISO 105‑N03 alongside the relevant ISO 105 A‑parts for conditioning and assessment rules and the appropriate ISO 105 adjacent fabric specifications.

Keywords

ISO 105, colour fastness, bleaching, sodium chlorite, textile testing, cellulose fibres, cotton, viscose, grey scale, adjacent fabrics, colour change, staining, QC, laboratory method.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105‑N03:1993 is a part of the ISO 105 series that defines a laboratory test method for assessing textile colour fastness to mild bleaching with sodium chlorite.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen arrangement (including use of adjacent fabrics), preparation of a mild sodium‑chlorite bleaching bath, exposure conditions, rinsing and drying, and visual assessment of colour change and staining using the ISO grey scales.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile manufacturers, dyeing and finishing operations, independent test houses, quality control laboratories and R&D groups use this method for product evaluation and quality acceptance where sodium‑chlorite bleaching is relevant.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published as Edition 2 in 1993. It is listed in the ISO catalogue as published and has been subject to ISO's periodic confirmation/review process. Users who need the absolute latest status (for example to confirm it has not been withdrawn or revised since publication) should verify the current status via the ISO catalogue or their national standards body before purchase or formal reference.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 105 is a multipart series of standards titled "Textiles — Tests for colour fastness." Parts A through S (and X/Z subparts) cover general principles, assessment scales, and many specific exposures (washing, light, water, rubbing, bleaching and others); ISO 105‑N03 is the N03 part covering mild sodium‑chlorite bleaching.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Colour fastness, bleaching, sodium chlorite, textiles, cellulose, grey scale, adjacent fabric, ISO 105, test method.