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AATCC Laboratory Test Methods

AATCC Textile Bacteria and Fungi Laboratory Testing

Laboratory Testing from fibers to finished products....

Situ Biosciences are Experts in applications development and testing of antimicrobial properties for industrial and consumer textile products.

Antimicrobial laboratory testing for textiles is similar to many applications, in that the manufacturing process use either coatings or process that incorporate the antimicrobial onto or into the fiber for the finished fabric.

A critical aspect unique to antimicrobial textiles is the application process and the fit of the antimicrobial used.  Different laboratory tests are more or less appropriate depending on the antimicrobial and how it is applied to the finished textile.

Here are a few of the more common microbiological laboratory test methods used for testing antimicrobial performance.

AATCC 100 - This antimicrobial test is a quantitative method (AATCC 100) in which assessment of antibacterial finishes on textile materials (fabric finishes, etc.) is determined by the degree of antibacterial activity intended in the use of such materials.

The AATCC 100 or TM 100 is an antibacterial textile test method used to assess textiles treated with antimicrobial products as a part of the finished textile coating.

 

AATCC 30 - Test method to determine the susceptibility of textile materials to mildew and rot and to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides on textile materials.

The AATCC TM 30 is a four part test comprising AATCC 30 part 1 to 4. Each AATCC 30 subpart is treated as a separate antifungal test.

 

AATCC 147 - The AATCC Test Method 147 is a qualitative antimicrobial test used to detect bacteriostatic activity on textile materials. This antimicrobial testing method is useful for obtaining a rough estimate of activity by the size of the zone of inhibition and the narrowing of the streaks caused by the presence of the antimicrobial agent permitting an estimate of the residual antimicrobial activity after multiple washings.

The AATCC TM 147 is for testing antibacterial, bactericidal, bacteriostatic activity and provide a qualitative zone of inhibition type of result around the treated article.

AATCC 174 - This test method is designed to determine the antimicrobial activity of new carpet materials consists of three procedures. AATCC TM 174 is also a multipart test for testing antibacterial, antifungal, bactericide, fungicide performance of carpet fibers and materials.

There are also several related ISO standard used in the testing of textile resistance to bacterial and fungal growth. Determining which microbial test method is appropriate is determined by considering the use environment, antimicrobial type and application method.