ISO 105-E12-2010 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105‑E12:2010 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E12: Colour fastness to milling: Alkaline milling. This part of ISO 105 specifies laboratory methods for determining the resistance of the colour of wool and part‑wool textiles to the action of soap and sodium carbonate solutions used in alkaline milling (severe method) or to soap solution only (mild method).

Abstract

ISO 105‑E12:2010 defines two procedures (a severe alkaline‑milling method and a milder soap‑only method) to simulate the colour change and staining that can occur during milling processes. The mild method is suitable for light‑ and medium‑weight wool or wool‑containing clothing fabrics. Test specimens are milled with specified reagents and abrasive action and evaluated for change in colour and for staining of adjacent fabrics.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed current following ISO periodic review).
• Publication date: 13 April 2010 (Edition 4, 2010).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 — Textiles in general.
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (2010).
• Number of pages: 6 (ISO published length).

Scope

Specifies laboratory procedures to determine the resistance of the colour of wool and wool‑containing textiles to alkaline milling (soap + sodium carbonate) and to a milder soap treatment. The procedure controls milling severity, uses specified adjacent fabrics where required, and requires assessment of colour change and staining after treatment. The mild procedure is intended for light‑ to medium‑weight wool clothing fabrics.

Key topics and requirements

• Two test procedures: severe alkaline milling (soap + sodium carbonate) and mild soap‑only milling.
• Preparation and dimensions of test specimens and specified adjacent fabrics for staining assessment.
• Controlled milling apparatus (jar with media), reagent concentrations, temperatures and cycle parameters to ensure repeatability.
• Use of reference/control specimens to set or check severity of action.
• Assessment criteria for change in colour and staining, normally using the grey scales or other ISO 105 assessment methods.

Typical use and users

Used by textile test laboratories, wool fabric and garment manufacturers, quality assurance teams, research and development laboratories, and compliance officers to evaluate how wool and wool‑blend textiles withstand milling/processing and to compare processes, dyes and finishing treatments for colour stability. The standard is applied where milling or felting resistance and staining behaviour after mechanical/chemical action are relevant.

Related standards

ISO 105‑E12 is one part of the ISO 105 series (Textiles — Tests for colour fastness). Related parts include general test principles (ISO 105‑A01), adjacent fabric specifications (parts F01–F10), and other E‑series methods such as E01 (water), E04 (perspiration) and E13/E14 (acid‑felting), plus the various A, B, C, D, F, G and J parts that define assessment methods and other fastness tests. Users typically combine ISO 105‑E12 with ISO 105‑A01 and the appropriate adjacent‑fabric or assessment parts for full test implementation.

Keywords

colour fastness; milling; alkaline milling; wool; wool blends; soap; sodium carbonate; textile testing; ISO 105; staining; grey scale.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105‑E12:2010 is an international test method that specifies procedures for assessing the colour fastness of wool and part‑wool textiles to milling processes, including a severe alkaline‑milling method and a milder soap‑only method.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, reagents (soap and sodium carbonate), milling apparatus and conditions, control specimens for severity, and the method of assessing colour change and staining (usually by reference to ISO 105 assessment methods). The mild method is intended for light‑ and medium‑weight wool clothing fabrics.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile test laboratories, wool fabric and garment manufacturers, quality assurance and R&D groups, and any organisation needing reproducible assessment of colour stability and staining during milling or similar mechanical/chemical treatments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 105‑E12:2010 (Edition 4) is the current published version; the ISO record shows it was last reviewed and confirmed in 2020 and therefore remained current at the time of that review. Users should check with ISO or their national standards body for any subsequent confirmations or revisions after 2020.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 105‑E12 is one part of the ISO 105 series (Textiles — Tests for colour fastness). The series includes general principles (A‑parts), light/weathering (B‑parts), laundering (C‑parts), dry cleaning and solvents (D‑parts), aqueous agents and spotting (E‑parts), adjacent fabrics (F‑parts), atmospheric contaminants (G‑parts) and measurement/assessment parts (J‑parts), among others. Combining the relevant parts is common practice when performing complete fastness evaluations.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Colour fastness, milling, alkaline milling, wool, wool blends, soap, sodium carbonate, textile testing, staining, ISO 105.