AATCC 181-2004 PDF

1.1 Purpose and Scope

1.1 This test method specifies the operating procedures for the exposure of automotive interior trim materials in an outdoor behind-glass apparatus in which the temperature is controlled in a 24 h cycle. The humidity is controlled during the dark (night) portion of the cycle. 1.2 Specimen preparation, test durations and performance evaluation procedures are covered in material specifications of the different automotive manufacturers.

2. Principle

2.1 Samples of the textile material to be tested and the agreed upon comparison standard(s) are exposed simultaneously under specified conditions designed to accelerate the amount of irradiance imposed upon the specimens. The amount of exposure is determined with respect to a specified degree of color change, or alternately to a specified amount of radiant energy. The colorfastness of the specimen is evaluated by comparison of the color change of the exposed portion with the masked control portion of the test specimen or unexposed original material, using the Gray Scale for Color Change or by instrumental color measurement.