ISO 105-Z11-1998 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105‑Z11:1998 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part Z11: Evaluation of speckiness of colorant dispersions. A short ISO method for detecting and assessing visible specks (agglomerates) in dye and pigment dispersions that can cause speckiness on continuously dyed (padded) or printed textiles, especially in pale and light shades.

Abstract

ISO 105‑Z11:1998 specifies a laboratory procedure to evaluate the uniformity of colorant dispersions (principally disperse dyes, vat dyes and pigment dispersions). The method concentrates a sample of dispersion onto a defined polyester/cotton filter cloth, dries (and where applicable thermofixes) the deposit and then assesses visually the presence and number of specks. The test is intended for quality control and supplier/producer assessment rather than for consumer performance testing.

General information

• Status: Published; confirmed in ISO systematic review (confirmed 16 October 2025).
• Publication date: Edition 1: 1998‑09 (original publication recorded 27 August 1998).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 — Textiles in general / Colour fastness testing.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1998).
• Number of pages: 4.

Scope

The standard describes a practical, repeatable laboratory technique to evaluate speckiness caused by agglomerates in colourant dispersions. It applies mainly to disperse dyes, vat dyes and pigment dispersions used in continuous dyeing or printing processes and is intended to reveal non‑uniformities that would be visible as specks on padded or printed fabric surfaces (with emphasis on pale and light shades).

Key topics and requirements

• Principle: filter a representative sample of dispersion through a defined polyester/cotton filter cloth, dry the deposit and (for disperse dyes) thermofix; evaluate visually and count specks.
• Sample handling: require thorough homogenization of the dispersion prior to sampling to obtain representative results.
• Filter medium and apparatus: use specified filter cloth (typically a 65/35 polyester/cotton woven cloth of defined weight), Buchner funnel or equivalent filtration assembly and controlled drying/thermofixation equipment.
• Reagents and preparatory treatments: method gives optional chemical treatments where applicable (e.g., reduction/oxidation steps for some vat dyestuffs) and standard laboratory reagents for washing and fixing as required by the dye class.
• Assessment: visual inspection under specified viewing/illumination conditions with counting and reporting of specks; acceptance thresholds are not fixed in the standard and should be agreed between supplier and purchaser or set as internal QC limits.
• Safety and laboratory practice: includes standard laboratory safety precautions (eye protection, heat‑resistant gloves for ovens/thermofixers, MSDS awareness).
• Reporting: test report should identify the dyestuff/dispersion, sample preparation, mass/volume tested, filtration details, any chemical treatments, drying/thermofix conditions and speck counts/result interpretation.

Typical use and users

Used primarily by dye manufacturers, textile mills, printing houses, incoming‑goods QC laboratories and R&D/formulation teams. Typical uses include incoming supplier checks, batch release testing, process troubleshooting, comparative evaluation of dispersion quality and establishing acceptance criteria for production of pale/light shades.

Related standards

ISO 105‑Z11:1998 is part of the ISO 105 series (Tests for colour fastness). Closely related documents include ISO 105‑A01 (general principles of colour‑fastness testing) and other ISO 105 parts that address specific fastness agents and procedures. National and regional adoptions (EN/UNE adoptions) exist where ISO 105‑Z11 has been adopted as an EN or national standard.

Keywords

speckiness, colorant dispersion, disperse dye, vat dye, pigment dispersion, colour fastness, textile quality control, filtration, thermofixation, speck count.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105‑Z11:1998 is an ISO test method that specifies how to evaluate speckiness (visible agglomerates) in dye and pigment dispersions used for textile dyeing and printing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling and filtration of a dispersion onto a defined polyester/cotton filter cloth, drying (and thermofixation for disperse dyes), visual assessment and counting of specks; it provides procedures and reporting requirements for a reproducible QC test.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Dye and pigment producers, textile mills, print shops, quality control laboratories and formulation/R&D teams involved in textile coloration and process control.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The original edition (Edition 1, 1998) remains the published ISO text; it was subject to ISO systematic review and recorded as confirmed in 2025 (confirmed 16 October 2025). Users should check national adoption documents or ISO catalogue entries for any later revisions or adoptions before assuming a different status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part Z11 of the ISO 105 series (Textiles — Tests for colour fastness). The ISO 105 family also includes a general principles part (ISO 105‑A01) and many individual parts that address other agents and test methods for colour fastness.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Speckiness, colorant dispersion, disperse dye, vat dye, pigment, filtration, thermofixation, colour fastness, textile QC.