QUALITY AND SAFETY OPERATING PROCEDURE 1. SCOPE 1.1. TITLE CROCKING TEST NUMBER REVISION DATE 0006-4100 AUTHOR C REVISED BY 07/25/07 D. Taylor B. Brockway Products and Components Covered Fabric items. 1.2. Exemptions Yarn Simulated hair Thread, string, rope and similar materials Solid white fabric 1.3. Definitions: (Words defined are italicized and bolded once per section) Crocking: Color transfer from fabric due to rubbing Desized: Fabric with sizing and other finishing chemicals removed Fabric: All flat-surface and raised-fiber textile materials yarn, ribbons, thread, string, rope and other similar materials. Vinyl, urethane, or similar materials used as fabric components, including fabric items backed by these materials. Simulated Hair: Monofilament fiber used to simulate hair, usually Kanekalon, modacrylic, saran, or nylon, and typically rooted or stitched to a pliable substrate. Warp: The series of yarns extended lengthwise in a loom. These yarns are crossed by the “weft” yarns, also referred to as fabric grain. QSOP 0006-4100 C PI CONFIDENTIAL - MATTEL, INC. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Page 1 of 6 2. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 2.1. PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 or with high expected abrasion, such as children’s clothing, infant bedding, guitar straps, or diaper bags: Average Crocking Score 4 - 5 0 - 2.5 2.2. Evaluation for Dry CrockingAccept Reject Evaluation for Wet Crocking Accept Reject 3 Reject Accept PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN 3 OR OLDER: Average Crocking Score 4 - 5 3 - 3.5 1.5 - 2.5 0 - 1 Evaluation for Dry CrockingAccept Perform wet crocking Reject Reject Evaluation for Wet Crocking Not Applicable Accept Accept Reject 2.3. PRODUCTS FOR USE IN WATER: Average Crocking Score 4 - 5 0 - 3.5 Evaluation for Wet Crocking Accept Reject 3. TEST METHODS 3.1. Test Environment Illuminate the test surface with 538 lux (50 foot candles) or more. The light should hit the surfaces at approximately 45° and the viewing direction approximately perpendicular to the surfaces. QSOP 0006-4100 C PI CONFIDENTIAL - MATTEL, INC. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Page 2 of 6 3.2. Equipment 3.2.1. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) CROCK 1METER, Model CM-1. 3.2.2. Crock meter Test Cloth, cut 5 cm. square (2 in), desized, bleached and with no optical brightener or finishing material.2 3.2.3. Evaluation easel, approx. 24 x 19 cm (.5 x 7.5 in) smooth, angled plywood attached to a same size base. 3.2.4. Any white evaluation cloth. 3.2.5. AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale. 3.2.6. Distilled or deionized water. 3.3. General Test Requirements 3.3.1. Crock five samples per test and average the score for each 5-sample test. 3.4. Procedure 3.4.1. PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 or with high expected abrasion, such as children’s clothing, infant bedding, or diaper bags. 3.4.1.1. Perform both dry and wet crocking test and evaluate per §2.1 table. 3.4.2. PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN 3 OR OLDER 3.4.2.1. Perform dry crocking test and evaluate per §2.2 table. Products that have an average crocking score of 3 - 3.5 proceed with wet crocking test. 3.4.3. PRODUCTS FOR USE IN WATER: 3.4.3.1. Perform wet crocking test and evaluate per §2.3 table. 3.4.4. Dry Crocking Test 3.4.4.1. Cut fabric samples to minimum size 51 x 127 mm. (2 x 5 in). Whenever possible; cut the long dimension of the sample crosswise (neither parallel nor perpendicular to the grain) to the fabric grain (warp). Include the maximum number of colors, as is possible, in each sample 32212 Available from Atlas Electric Devices Co. 4114 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60613, (312) 327-4520. Available from TestFabrics, Inc., P.O. Box 420, Middlesex, New Jersey 08846. 3 Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709. QSOP 0006-4100 C Page 3 of 6 PI CONFIDENTIAL - MATTEL, INC. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 3.4.4.2. For fabrics <2 in. wide, e.g. webbing, ribbons, and straps, may be laid side by side tested the width is ≥ the width of the finger dowel. Note: for fabric, webbing, printed labels and straps from which a 2x5 in. sample cannot be extracted, the uncut material shall be tested. 3.4.4.3. Place test fabric with the colored surface facing up on the crock meter, flat on the sandpaper with its long dimension in the direction of rubbing. 3.4.4.3.1. Perform crocking test on both sides of a fabric when both are printed with color, but are not the same. 3.4.4.4. Place holder over specimen to prevent slipping. 3.4.4.5. Mount crock meter test cloth, threads parallel to the direction of rubbing, over the end of the finger projecting downward from the weighted sliding arm. Hold the test square in place with spiral wire clip. Position the clip with loops upward (if the loops point downward they can drag against the test specimen). 3.4.4.6. Lower the finger onto the test specimen. Crank the meter handle 10 complete turns at one turn per second to slide the finger back and forth 20 times. Be sure the finger does not contact the specimen holder. Adjust as necessary. 3.4.4.7. Remove the crock meter test cloth square and evaluate. .Fabric specimens, e.g. napped or brushed, may deposit loose fibers onto the test fabric during the crocking process. Gently press cellophane tape against the white test fabric to remove loose fibers before evaluating the circular stain. 3.4.5. Wet Crocking Test 3.4.5.1. Thoroughly wet crock meter test cloth in distilled or deionized water immediately before performing the test. Prepare only one square at a time. 3.4.5.2. Blot between two white paper towels to remove excess water. 3.4.5.3. Perform test per Dry Crocking (§ 3.4.1). 3.4.5.4. Remove the crock meter test cloth and air dry before evaluating. .Fabric specimens, e.g. napped or brushed, may deposit loose fibers onto the test fabric during the crocking process. Gently press cellophane tape against the white test fabric to remove loose fibers before evaluating the circular stain. 3.4.6. Crocking Samples Evaluation 3.4.6.1. Evaluate color transfer per the AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale. QSOP 0006-4100 C PI CONFIDENTIAL - MATTEL, INC. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Page 4 of 6 3.4.6.2. Back the test squares with three layers of white test cloth while evaluating. 3.4.6.3. Rating dry and wet crocking fastness: 3.4.6.4. Place the material behind the scale. The colored portion (the color transferred from the test fabric to the crock meter test cloth) must be visible through one of the circular holes in the vertical column closest to it in shade. Move material up or down so that, if possible, it is between the two closest shades. 3.4.6.5. Determine ratings by comparing the numbered rows on the chart, interpolating when the sample color depth is between two rows. Choose the shade that approximates the color transfer on the test fabrics. \"Grade 5\" indicates the least color transfer and \"Grade 1\" the greatest color transfer. 3.4.6.6. Average the results and round to the nearest 0.5. 4. HISTORY 4.1. Significance To minimize fabric color transfer to the child’s mouth, mucous membranes or skin, or to other toy parts, clothing or furniture. This test method is familiar to fabric vendors as it is a standard in the textile industry. The evaluation criteria have been set for Mattel products based on complaints and problems encountered with color transfer. Although yarn, simulated hair, thread, string, and other similar materials are exempted, the AATCC method does evaluate these items if required. 4.2. Reason for Revision Section Revision C All Reviewed and affirmed. Converted to SI Implementation Date: editorial editorial 3.4.4.7 & Rewritten to clarify that the procedure to remove 3.4.5.4 excess fibers prior to evaluation pertains to the white test cloth after the crocking process. It does not apply to the test specimen (product). QSOP 0006-4100 C PI CONFIDENTIAL - MATTEL, INC. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Page 5 of 6 Implementation Section Revision B Date: 3.4.1, Clarifies when dry crocking and wet crocking Immediate 3.4.2 & tests are required based upon product 3.4.3 category. 3.4.4.1 Add a statement for fabric, webbing, printed labels and straps from which a 2x5 inch sample cannot be extracted, the uncut material shall be tested. 3.4.4.2 Clarifies that crocking test is required on both sides of a fabric whose sides are not identical. 4.3. Referenced Documents AATCC Test Method 8-2001 Colorfastness to Crocking: AATCC Crock meter Method (found in any AATCC Technical Manual published 1989 and forward). QSOP 0006-4100 C PI CONFIDENTIAL - MATTEL, INC. 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