TERRY TOWEL- EFFECTIVE TESTING PROCEDURE

Terry towel is a textile product and is usually a cotton woven pile fabric, with uncut loops on both sides used for bath towels and robes. Terry towel testing is a very important job or process since it is an industry-focused towards exports. Various types of test methods are applied for monitoring the consistency of the terry towel. The consistency of the terry towel depends on the different weaving systems, different pile heights, yarns made from various fibers, and some finished fabrics.

Generally, terry towels are made on a loom & standard finishing techniques are applied. Comfort parameters of gray & finished fabrics such as wind-permeability, speed of water absorption, and vapor conductivity are measured under standard laboratory conditions. In this article, I’ll talk with specifics about different terry towel testing methods.

Relevant evaluation of procedures for Terry Towel testing:

Some specific & significant terry towel test procedure is listed in detail below:

Tensile Resistance Test:

Among other terry towel tests, it is a very critical test. In Tensile Strength Tester in Grab Test Theory, this test is performed to assess the tensile strength of a towel. The test protocol is listed in more detail below:

Procedure for testing:

• This test is conducted according to method ASTM D 5034.
• The Tensile Strength Tester has two jaws; one is fixed (lower jaw) and the other is flexible (top jaw).

• Samples shall be taken from the towel at first using a template. The sample scale is 4 inches to 6 inches.

• The sample is then clamped between two jaws, and the m / c is then started.

• As the distance between two jaws increases; the sample splits, finally. Unit tensile strength is shown in the kg unit on the optical monitor.

• Two warp samples & two weft samples are checked and the average tensile strength of the sample is recorded separately in warp & weft direction.

Tear strength test:

This check is done for evaluating a towel’s tear ability. A detailed description of the test procedure is given below.

Procedure for testing:

• This study is carried out according to method ASTM D 1424.

• Initially samples of a scale (10033 mm) are cut from the towel to be checked using a template.

• Two Warp samples & two Weft samples are checked.

• The sample is fixed to the tester’s jaw.
• The sample is then ripped with the knife.
• The indicator is then taken at null.
• The scale plate shall then be removed by loosening a knob.

• When the scale plate movement ceases, the reading of the scale from the indicator located on the scale plate is then taken.

• Two Warp samples & two Weft samples are checked. & The average tensile strength of the sample is recorded separately in warp & weft direction.

Absorption Test:

Absorbency is one of the terry towel’s most important properties. Absorbency testing is performed to assess the percentage of absorbance of the given material (towel). The test is conducted using an absorbency tester. The test procedure is listed in more detail below.

Procedure for testing:

• This study is carried out in compliance with AATCC Form 140-2010.

• The sample is taken at first and clumped in the stand in such a way that water can only be absorbed by the pile covering most of the towel.

• A basin for the collection of residual water after absorption is placed underneath the stand.
• In a measuring jar, 50 ml of water is then taken. 1st Reading is 50ml always.
• The water is then placed in the test kit and the stand is held for 33 seconds for absorption.
• The towel is taken away with the clump after 33 seconds.

• The excess water, which was not absorbed by the towel and stored in the tub, is then transferred to the measuring cylinder and read. This is 2nd reading.

And finally, the amount of absorbency is determined using the following formula:

Absorbency% = {(1st Reading × 2) – (2nd Reading × 2)} × 2

In this way the absorbency of a terry towel is tested.

Test on shrinkage:

There are two types of measures for shrinkage. Such are:

1. Dimensional Stability Test (Bodily Shrinkage) &
2. Differential Shrinkage test.

1. Body Shrinkage test (Dimensional Stability Test):

This check is performed to assess the quality of towels in lengths. The test procedure is listed in more detail below.

Procedure for testing:

• This study is carried out according to AATCC Form 138-2010.
• Using a template & textile marker, at first 3 pairs of the mark are given on the surface of the specimen towel.

• In AATCC Washer, the specimen towel is then washed in water for 3 cycles. The 1st & 3rd is hot wash & the 2nd is a hot wash (600C) for three washers.

• The specimen towel is then conditioned to a comfortable state in the stand. Conditioning is performed for at least 6 hours at a temperature of 21-220C or more.
• Shrinkage shall then be measured using the shrinkage scale.
• Reading is taken in both the direction of warp & weft. Reading is taken in three distinct points in each case, based on the 6 marks given before washing.
• Two marks of each line are normally shrinking; thus reading is – ve; this implies a shrinkage.

• Finally, the mean shrinkage for the warp & weft direction is stated separately.

2.Differential Shrinkage Test:

This test is conducted to determine towel shrinkage differentials. The test procedure is listed in more detail below.

Procedure for  testing:

• This study is carried out in compliance with AATCC Form 140-2010.
• In AATCC Washer, the specimen towel is washed 3 times in water at first. The 1st & 3rd is hot wash & the 2nd is a hot wash (600C) for three washers.
• The specimen towel is then conditioned to a comfortable state in the stand. Conditioning is performed for at least 6 hours at a temperature of 21-220C or more.
• Then the towel width is measured in two narrowest positions, i.e. the two fancy designs and the sum of the two measurements.
• The towel width is then measured mostly in the Middle.
• Ultimately, the average width of the two narrowest points is deduced from the width of the towel center and the differential shrinkage is obtained.

Differential shrinkage = Reading of the average width of the two narrowest

Points – Width of the towel at the Centre.

In this way, the differential shrinkage of a terry towel is tested.

Test Linting:

Lints are the sticky loose fibers removed from the towels during tumbling, accompanied by treatment with washing. Linting test is performed to find out the percentage of towel linting pattern. The test protocol is listed in detail below.

Procedure for  testing:

• The check is conducted using CTL WW 104 Process.
• The test towel is weighed first.
• An example towel is then washed 5 times in AATCC Washer.
• The sample towel is dried in the tumbling phase in AATCC Drier after each wash.
• AATCC Drier shall have a net for the collection of lints. The lints are removed from the net after each drying cycle.
• All lints are then weighed, collected in 5 dryings.

And finally, the amount of linting is determined by the equation below

Linting % = {(Weight Of Towel – Weight Of Lint) ÷ Weight Of Towel} × 100

In this process, linting test is done.

 

Caustic & Extraction of Enzymes Test:

This test measures the volume of residual caustic & enzyme in a given towel

PH-Testing:

This check is performed for measuring the amount of PH in the towel. The test protocol is listed in more detail below:

Procedure for testing:

• This test is conducted according to AATCC Process 81-2006.
• The towel is immersed in the water at first, then held for 20 minutes.
• A small check beaker then lets water in.
• The pH meter is then calibrated.
• Then the PH meter electrode is submerged in the water which shows the towel’s PH in the monitor.

Color Fastness Evaluation For Rubbing / Crocking test:

The test is conducted using Crock Meter. The test protocol is listed in more detail below:

Procedure for testing:

• This study is conducted using AATCC Method 8-2007.
• At first, the sample is taken, the sample is clipped in the sample stand and the nose is clamped with a staining cloth.
• The nose is then rubbed against the sample by a handle for 10 times.
• Rubbing is done in a wet state at first, and then rubbing is done in a dry condition with another piece of tin cloth again.
• The staining fabrics are then visually tested to determine the staining and the sample is given a grade.

Check Color Fastness to Fast:

This check is conducted to assess towel colorfastness for washing. The test protocol is listed in more detail below.

Procedure for testing:

• The study is conducted using AATCC 61-2010 Process.
• Samples of 5 gm are taken in a conical flask at first.
• The sample is then washed in 0.5 gm / ltr soap & 0.2 gm / ltr  and 600C soda for 40 minutes in oscillating m / c colouration.
• The sample is then washed three times in cold water and then squeezed & dried.
• The sample is eventually analyzed visually and it is given a rating.

Evaluation of Color Fastness to Water :

This check is conducted to assess towel fastness to watercolor. The test protocol is listed in more detail below.

Procedure for testing:

• The test is performed using the AATCC 107-2009 Process.
• The first 5 cm (towel) and 66 cm (multi-fiber) sample is taken.
• The combined sample weight & multi-fiber is then taken.
• The total sample weight & multi-fiber is then multiplied by 2.5 or 3
• Distilled water is now taken in a beaker and the towel sample is soaked in the water and then hand squeezed in such a way that its weight after squeezing is equal to or nearly equal to the combined weight of the sample & multi-fiber 2.5 (or 3)
• The sample & multi-fiber should then be placed between two plates of the test kit; the multi-fiber should be placed above.
• The other test kit plates are then placed in position, and the top plate is placed over them.
• Now the weight of 4.5 kg is put on the top plate and then the top plate is firmly screwed; then the weight is taken off.
• The test kit will then be placed in a hot air oven for 18 hours at a temperature of 380C.
• The towel sample & multi-fiber are removed from the test kit after 18 hours.
• The sample is then dried for 10 to 20 minutes at a temperature of 56-600C. Conditioning is then completed.
• Ultimately, the sample & multi-fiber is visually tested for the assessment of the color fading of the sample & multi-fiber staining and the sample is given a ranking.

 

Check for Color Fastness To Bleach Without Chlorine:

This check is done for the dyed yarns; often used for the formulation of the selvage. The purpose of this test is to determine the sum of the dyed yarns bleeding in color.

During testing of colorfastness to non-chlorine bleach, two separate formulas are used for P / C & Cotton Yarn. Bellow: The recipes are given:

The test protocol is listed in more detail below:

Procedure for testing:

• Initially, 5 gm of sample is taken from the towel to be checked.
• The solution will then be formulated according to the recette.
• Then the laundering-o-meter solution is taken into the sample tube.
• The sample is then put in a laundry-o-meter sample box along with a stained fabric and the mouth of the boxes is then closed.
• The sample cans are then put in a laundry-o-meter. Glycerin is found within the launder-o-meter. At 60-800C temperature, the sample cans are rotated in the glycerin for 5 hours.
• The sample is then cleaned in room temperature water and then dried.
• The staining fabrics & the colored yarns are then visually aided and the sample is ranked.

These are the most striking tests which are performed for Terry towel quality control for terry towel production.