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Calcimator

Color Fastness Prediction Calculator

Expected wash and light fastness from dye class.

Inputs

%
°F

Results

Wash fastness (1-5)

5

Light fastness (1-8)6
Rubbing fastness, dry (1-5)4.5
Rubbing fastness, wet (1-5)3.5
Overall durability score87
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Dye class (1-6), Dye depth (% OWF), and Aftertreatment (0-2).
  2. Set Test wash temperature (°C).
  3. Review the Wash fastness (1-5) result.
  4. Use Light fastness (1-8) and Rubbing fastness, dry (1-5) to inform your decision.

How the result changes with Test wash temperature (°C)

Test wash temperature (°C)Wash fastness (1-5)
285
465
694.5
884.5

What each input means

Dye class (1-6)
1=Reactive, 2=Acid, 3=Disperse, 4=Direct, 5=Vat, 6=Natural.
Dye depth (% OWF)
Dye concentration as % on weight of fiber.
Aftertreatment (0-2)
0=None, 1=Soaping/wash-off, 2=Fixative treatment.
Test wash temperature (°C)
Temperature for wash fastness testing. ISO 105-C06 uses 40°C or 60°C.

What each result means

Wash fastness (1-5)
ISO grey scale rating. 5 = excellent, 1 = poor.
Light fastness (1-8)
Blue wool scale rating. 8 = outstanding, 1 = very poor.
Rubbing fastness, dry (1-5)
Crocking resistance when dry. 5 = no transfer.
Rubbing fastness, wet (1-5)
Crocking resistance when wet. Always lower than dry.
Overall durability score
Weighted composite score (0-100) across all fastness properties.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Dye class (1-6) = 1, Dye depth (% OWF) = 2, Aftertreatment (0-2) = 1, Test wash temperature (°C) = 60 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Wash fastness
    Wash fastness = round(washFastness * 2) / 2
    5 = 5
  3. Calculate Light fastness
    Light fastness = round(lightFastness * 2) / 2
    6 = 6
  4. Calculate Rubbing fastness, dry
    4.5 = 4.5

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