AATC evaluation Procedure 11 (Lo Be Published in 2008 AATCC Technical Manual) Spectrophotometer UV Energy Calibration Procedure for Optically Brightened Textiles Developed in 2007 by AATCC Committee RA36. 4, Scope 1.1 This evaluation procedure describes the use of the Textle UY Calisration Standard (TUVCS) forinter~ instrument calibration of UY content in te light souree i spactrophotometers for the purpose of measuring vuhite or ight to medium colored textiles that have been optically brightened with a fluorescent whitering agent. UV absorption properties of fluorescent whitening agers (FAs) used for textiles difer from those of FAs used for plastics or other non-textile materials, necessitating the use of a different reference standard than those typically used for these other materials, This, procedure is based on a semi-annually replaced textile calitration standard that facttates accurate UV conient adjustment ofthe light source of spectrophotometers for use with textile materials independent of instrument geometry and the methodology used for adjusting the ‘amount of UV energy in the instrument. 2. Principle 2.1 The amount of UV energy in a spectrophotometer light source is standardized by adjusting it (mechanically ot by computation) untl the celiorated value of the ight source i in agreement wih the CIE Whieness index {CIE Wi) ofthe TUYCS (see 7.1) 3. Terminology 311 calibration procedure, n. ~ a method for adjusting certain parameters in an instrument so thal differen instruments from the same or dfferent ‘manufacturers produce the seme results in a fest for a given property. 3.2 CIE Whiteness Index (CIE Wh, n. — an index predicting the apparent degree of writeness of a ‘material based on tristimulus values determined ‘according fo one of the CIE standard methods, proposed by the Cammission internationale de TEdairage (CIE). 33 fluorescent whitening agent (FWA), n. — colorant that absorbs ner ultraviolet (UV) radiation and re-emils visible (vilet-blue) radietion. This causes a yellowish materal to which it has been applied to ‘appear whiter (ASTM E 284) 4, Description of the Textile UV Calibration Standard 4.1 The TUVCS consists ofa set of d layers of combed cotton broadcloth tha! has been bleached, mercerized and treated wih a specific formation of optical ighteners, to exhibit a CIE Whiteness Index (W)) of between 125 and 140. I measures 80 x 80 + 5 nm ands ettached to an opaque white, non-opiicaly brightened bloting paper by slaples on one edge. This facilites tho handing of tre TUVCS without touching the portion thatis to be used for measurement. thes been found that temperature and humidity changes of rormal instrument operating ranges do not significantly ater the determined WI values. These changes are rrormally no: in excess of 0.1 WI. However, exposure to light can significantly deteriorate the FWA and cause changes in the WI. Therefore, it fs important that the TUVCS be kept ints UV protective bag when not being used (see 7.4). 5, Use of the TUVCS Calibration Standard 5.1 The described procedure is appicable large area view measurements (the recommended ccndition) {or sphere or anguar measuring geometry, Meesurement on 2 given instrumantin cther conditions or configurations requires separate calibrations fr the respective consiticn/configuration 5.2 Any UY calibration standard must be stored in a coniainer protecting it from UV exposure. The TUVCS should be stored in the UY protective brown plastic bag its supplied in to Keep It from becoming diny. Also, take cave not to touch the TUVCS when handling it to prevent soiling 5,3 For muttiple instruments in ane location, a single TUVCS can be used. Each instrument musi be separately caloraied with the TUVCS. Caution: This should be imited ‘o no more the three instruments, 2s excessive use of the TUVCS may shortan is usefu! if to less than the requited six months6. Procedure 6.1 Set the conditions of the spectrophotometer color measurement software to CIE standard iluminant Des and CIE 10°(1984) standard observer (see 7.2) 6.2 Set the Instrument conditions to those shown In Table |. Calibrate the spectrophotometer according to the manufacturer's procedure for the measuring geometry used 6.3 in the spectrophotometer color measurement software, goto the UV calisration procedure, Enter the CIE WW value printed on the label of the TUVCS calibration standard fabric, Assure thatthe softwares set 10 accept CIE WI and not another kind of whiteness index. 6.4 Mount the TUVCS on the instrument's sample ‘mount, centared over the instrument's port. Back the ‘TUVCS with its attached while banking card, The white backing card used in the TUVCS is sufficiently opaque thal the color ofthe instrument's sample clamping mechanisms of ne consequence. 6.5 Perform the instrument's standard automatic or manual method for calibrating UV energy, The value ‘obtained should be within + 0.5 CIE WI units of the \alue entered in 6.3 above. 6.5 Remove ‘he textile standard and perform 2 normal black and white relerence stendard instrument calibration in the UY calibrated mode, 6.7 For the next six (6) months use the textile standard for blweekly UV calbrations (see 7.3) and in any other eptical mades you may choose to use (s2e 54). 7. Notes 7-1 Textile UV Calibration Standards are obtainable by subscription from AATCC al P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park NC 27709; 919'549-2544 or on ine at www.aaicc.org. Because of the limited stability of exile standard materials to light degradation, new standards will be submitted automatcaly to subscribers every 8x months. 7.2.Colorimetic calculations are performed using ASTM E 308, Tabe 6 illuminantbbserver data valves. The insitumenis ust be performing (0 original manufacturer specifications for non-aptcaly brightened matatias before this procedure is performed. Any ‘deviation from these specications will bo reflactec in the whiteness measurements and will not be corrected by this procedure. 7.3illumiration changes typicaly do nat ocour abruptly in insturments, Unless extenuating sircumstarces wairant @ higher requency, UV calibrations should be performes once every other wesk, lf any maintenanca is perormed on an instrument, then UV calibration should alvays be performed orior to use. 7.4 The febricis not suscepible to environmental or chemical color change while stored in the supplied UV protective bag TABLE I. Instrument Conditions Sphere Area of view Large UV Filter Mode Calibrated Specular component —_Inciuded 4510 (0/45) Large Calibrated Excluded