400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001

SURFACE VEHICLE RECOMMENDED PRACTICE

J1767

ISSUED JAN95 1995-01

Issued

Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard

INSTRUMENTAL COLOR DIFFERENCE MEASUREMENTS FOR COLORFASTNESS OF AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR TRIM MATERIALS

ForewordThis Document has not changed other than to put it into the new SAE Technical Standards Board Format. 1. ScopeThe practice described applies to textile and flexible plastic parts and materials used in automotive vehicles. Special care should be taken when high pile carpet samples are being evaluated. PurposeThe intent of this SAE Recommended Practice is to specify procedures for the instrumental measurement of color differences brought about by the exposure of textile and flexible plastic automotive parts to various colorfastness tests. It may be used for the specification of limits of color differences which may be tolerated in a specific test. References Applicable PublicationsThe following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein. CIE PUBLICATIONAvailable from U.S. National Committee, CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage), c/o Mr. Tom Lemons, TLA, Lighting Consultants, 7 Pond Street, Salem, MA 01970, 508-745-6870, Fax 508741-4420. CIE Publication No. 15.2Colorimetry, 2nd edition, 1986 2.1.2 AATCC PUBLICATIONAvailable from American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists, 1 Davis Drive, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, 919-549-8141, Fax 919-549-8933. AATCC Method 173-1992Calculation of Small Color Differences for Acceptability 3. 3.1 Definitions ColorfastnessThe resistance of a material to change in any of its color characteristics, to transfer its colorant(s) to adjacent materials, or both, as a result of the exposure of the material to any environment that might be encountered during testing. Color DifferenceA color change in a sample or in a fabric, in which color has been altered or transferred from the sample as a result of testing.

1.1

2. 2.1

2.1.1

3.2

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user. SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions. QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS DOCUMENT: (724) 772-8512 FAX: (724) 776-0243 TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER; (724) 776-4970 FAX: (724) 776-0790 SAE WEB ADDRESS http://www.sae.org Copyright 1995 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Printed in U.S.A.

SAE J1767 Issued JAN95 3.2.1 COLOR CHANGEA change in color of any kind, whether in lightness, hue, or chroma that may be measured instrumentally by comparing materials before and after testing. Basic Color Measurement Specifications Uniform Color SpaceAll measurements and calculations will be made using CIE 1976 L*a*b* Uniform Color Space, which may be abbreviated CIELAB (see 2.1.1). Standard IlluminantThe Standard Illuminant for colorimetric determinations will be the CIE illuminant D65 (see 2.1.1). No other illuminant may be used except by agreement between contractual parties. Standard ObserverThe Standard Observer for colorimetric determinations will be the CIE 10 degrees observer. No other observer may be used except by agreement between contractual parties. Color Difference CalculationsThree sets of color difference calculations may be used: Delta L*,a*,b* DL = ( L t L o ) Da = ( a t a o ) Db = ( b t b o ) DE = { ( DL ) ( Da ) + ( Db ) }
2 2 2 12

4. 4.1

4.2

4.3

5. 5.1

(Eq. 1) (Eq. 2) (Eq. 3) (Eq. 4)

where subscripts o' and t' refer to measurements in the original and final material. 5.2 Delta L*,C*,H* DL = ( L t L o ) (Eq. 5)

2 2 12 2 2 1 2 DC = ( a t + b t ) ( a o + b o )
DH = ( DE ) ( DL ) ( DC ) 5.3
2 2 2

(Eq. 6)

(Eq. 7)

Delta CMCThe CMC method of color difference measurement is one which is being used with increasing frequency and the necessary calculations are given in 2.2.1 (reference only). Color Difference SpecificationsColor difference specifications shall be determined by the contractual parties. The specifications should be in the form described in Section 4. Color Measuring InstrumentsThe instruments used to determine color must have capabilities to meet the requirements set forth in Section 3. If a sphere instrument is used, the specular component must be included in the measurement. The angle between the specimen normal and the illuminating beam or vice-versa in the sphere instruments must not exceed 10 degrees.

6.

7.

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SAE J1767 Issued JAN95 8. 8.1 Color Measurement Method Color Difference SampleA single sample is used. The color properties of the sample are measured first and the data stored, the sample is exposed to the test conditions, and the color is again measured. It is imperative that the measured location be identified exactly in order that the same spot and orientation on the fabric surface can be measured each time. 8.2 Sample PreparationParticular attention shall be given to the appearance of the sample. The sample shall be cut so that the direction or lay of the pile or fabric is easily identified and oriented in a constant direction during the exposure and measurement of its color. It shall be freed from lint, etc., using a lint brush and if it has a pile, it shall be brushed in the direction of the pile lay before reading and exposure. Sample MountingThe sample shall be mounted on a flat surface so that it is presented to the measuring port of the color measuring instrument in a uniform reproducible manner. If the sample is transparent it shall be backed with a sufficient thickness of the test fabric to eliminate a contribution of the backing material to the measurement. The direction of the natural lay of the sample shall be identified on the back of the mounting surface to facilitate correct sample orientation in the measurement instrument. INSTRUMENT SET UPThe instrument used for the color measurement shall be standardized according to the procedures specified by its manufacturer. SAMPLE EQUILIBRATIONThe sample shall be in equilibrium with the standard laboratory environment before reading on the measurement instrument. The time to reach equilibrium will be different for different fabric types and should be agreed upon by the contractual parties. The standard laboratory environment is 21 C 2 C and 50% 5% R.H. or as agreed to by the contractual parties. PRESENTATION OF THE SAMPLE TO THE INSTRUMENTThe instrument port shall be matched to the size of the sample being measured (it will be close to 25 mm in diameter). The sample shall be loaded in the instrument port without glass and using a sufficient pressure to hold the sample in place without forcing the pile into the measurement chamber. Having been established, this pressure shall remain constant for the sample being tested. Typically 500 g 10 g per 5 cm x 10 cm sample area is satisfactory. Special situations may require that the contractual parties agree on a different value. The sample shall be oriented in a standard direction. Identifying markings on the sample or its mounting shall be used to ensure that the orientation and position of the sample in the port is the same before and after testing. 8.3.4 SAMPLE HANDLING AND STORAGEColor measurement, especially in high pile carpets, can be greatly influenced by the physical condition of the material surface. It is therefore important to keep the surface constant after the surface has been prepared. Handling of the sample surface to be measured must be avoided. COLOR MEASUREMENTTwo readings, initial and 90 degrees rotation, are to be averaged, unless the instrument has been proven insensitive to specimen orientation, in which case a single color reading will be taken. ReportingThe color difference measurement should be calculated as agreed in Section 5, with reporting as agreed between contractual parties.

8.3

8.3.1

8.3.2

8.3.3

8.3.5

9.

PREPARED BY THE SAE TEXTILES AND FLEXIBLE PLASTICS COMMITTEE

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SAE J1767 Issued JAN95 RationaleNot applicable. Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO StandardNot applicable. ApplicationThe practice described applies to textile and flexible plastic parts and materials used in automotive vehicles. Special care should be taken when high pile carpet samples are being evaluated. Reference Section CIE Publication No. 15.2Colorimetry, 2nd Edition, 1986 AATCC Method 173-1992Calculation of Small Color Differences for Acceptability Developed by the SAE Textiles and Flexible Plastics Committee