Overview
EN ISO 105-G02:1997 specifies a laboratory method for assessing the colour fastness of textiles to burnt-gas fumes (atmospheric oxides of nitrogen produced by burning chemically pure butane). The procedure applies to textiles of all kinds and forms except loose fibres and is intended for quality control, dye evaluation and comparative testing of dyed materials. Colour change is assessed using the internationally recognised grey scale for change in colour.
Key Topics
- Scope and purpose: Measure resistance of textile colour to oxides of nitrogen derived from butane combustion; suitable for testing dyed textiles and rating dye fastness.
- Specimens: Fabric or knitted specimens are used (typical sample size in the standard: 40 mm x 100 mm) and may include test-control fabrics and standards of fading for comparison.
- Exposure system: An exposure chamber conveys burnt-gas fumes across suspended specimens so they are exposed without contacting hot metal surfaces. The apparatus and chamber ventilation are adjusted to control temperature and gas concentration.
- Test control and standard of fading: A defined control fabric and a Standard of fading are used to determine end points; the specimen and control are exposed simultaneously until the control reaches the reference fade.
- Post-exposure treatment: Specimens showing change are often treated with a buffered urea solution for assessment. The standard specifies a urea solution composition: 10 g urea per litre buffered to pH 7 with 0.4 g sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate and 2.5 g disodium hydrogen orthophosphate dodecahydrate, containing 0.1 g or less of a rapid-wetting surfactant (e.g., sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate).
- Assessment: Change in colour is rated with the grey scale; repeated exposure cycles can be used to obtain required fade levels.
Applications
This standard is used by textile laboratories, dye manufacturers and quality teams to:
- Verify product durability against combustion-derived atmospheric pollutants.
- Screen dyes and processes for resistance to nitrogen oxide fumes.
- Support quality control and batch acceptance criteria for finished textiles.
- Aid material selection when end-use environments may include exposure to combustion fumes or polluted atmospheres.
- Provide a repeatable method for comparative testing in product development and supplier evaluation.
Related Standards
EN ISO 105-G02:1997 references and complements other parts of the ISO 105 series, including:
- ISO 105-A01 - General principles of testing
- ISO 105-A02 - Grey scale for assessing change in colour
- ISO 105-C06 - Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering
- ISO 105-D01 - Colour fastness to dry cleaning
These related standards cover specimen preparation, evaluation scales and pre/post-test treatments used alongside ISO 105-G02.
For laboratories, implementing EN ISO 105-G02:1997 delivers a standardised, reproducible method to quantify colour change from burnt-gas fumes and supports robust decision-making in quality assurance and product development.