Crocking Resistance
Moisture transfer from dyed textiles under mechanical action depends on dye fixation levels within cellulose or synthetic matrices. Wet rubbing fastness evaluates color transfer from a colored fabric to a white rubbing cloth under specified moisture conditions during a standard crockmeter test. Low ratings indicate unbonded surface dye molecules or incomplete soaping off stages during continuous dyeing operations.
Mill finishing lines verify this metric on finished fabrics before garment assembly to prevent staining during consumer laundering or perspiration contact.
Staining Scale
Evaluation panels grade transferred color against gray scales ranging from one to five. Observers compare the soiled white cotton cloth under controlled lighting booths against standardized visual contrast chips. Lower numerical scores denote severe pigment bleeding from the fabric face into the damp testing medium.
Laboratory technicians record these values separately from dry ratings because residual surfactant or unfixed hydrolyzate migrates differently when water acts as a transport solvent.
Dye Fixation
Chemical bond stability between reactive dye molecules and cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups determines ultimate performance during wet friction cycles. Reactive dyes form covalent linkages during alkaline fixation stages inside pad dry steam chambers. Incomplete wash off leaves hydrolyzed dye molecules resting loosely on fiber exteriors.
Mechanical pressure during wet rubbing forces these untethered molecules across contacting surfaces far more easily than fully reacted molecules.
Fastness Boundary
Testing protocols establish exact moisture pickup percentages for the cotton rubbing cloth to ensure repeatable laboratory conditions. Water content variations distort staining grades by altering frictional resistance and dye solubility during the ten double strokes of the crockmeter finger. Fabric finishes such as silicone softeners or water repellent coatings alter interfacial friction and change migration paths during testing.
Subsequent garment manufacturing batches require identical dyeing parameters to maintain consistent fastness performance across production runs.