Medical Abrasion Laboratory Testing: Crocking
Crocking testing plays a vital role in evaluating colorfastness of textiles and coated materials used in healthcare. This straightforward rubbing test measures how well colors resist transfer under dry or wet friction, closely simulating real-world contact during clinical use, cleaning, and handling. For medical manufacturers, robust crocking performance helps ensure surgical gowns, drapes, scrubs, and patient apparel maintain their appearance while supporting infection control and professional standards.
In medical environments, even minor color transfer from textiles can raise concerns about cleanliness, material integrity, and overall product quality. Crocking tests deliver objective data on dye stability when fabrics experience mechanical stress from gloves, skin, or laundering processes. Reliable Analysis maintains strong accredited capabilities in these methods, providing a reliable foundation for medical textile testing.
These evaluations directly support major regulatory frameworks such as AAMI PB70 for surgical gowns and the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR). By confirming colorfastness to rubbing, manufacturers can demonstrate that their products will perform consistently throughout their lifecycle — from production and sterilization to daily use in hospitals and clinics. Reliable Analysis delivers precise, reproducible results using equipment already operating under our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation.
Common Crocking Medical Testing Standards
ISO 105-X12 Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing
ISO 105-X12 determines the resistance of color in textiles to rubbing, using both dry and wet conditions. Technicians mount a specimen on a test surface and rub it with a standardized cotton cloth under controlled pressure and strokes. Examiners then rate the staining on the cotton cloth against a grey scale. This method is widely used for medical textiles such as surgical gowns, drapes, and scrubs where color transfer during use or cleaning could compromise appearance and perceived cleanliness.
AATCC 8 Colorfastness to Rubbing
AATCC 8 evaluates colorfastness to crocking by rubbing a textile specimen with a white cotton test cloth under standardized finger pressure. The test runs in both dry and wet versions to simulate real handling and cleaning conditions. Results are rated visually with the AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale. Medical manufacturers rely on this method to verify that dyed gowns, patient apparel, and nonwoven disposables will not transfer color during clinical procedures or laundering.
ASTM F2407 / F2407M Surgical Gowns (Colorfastness to Rubbing Section)
ASTM F2407 sets performance requirements for surgical gowns and includes specific colorfastness to rubbing criteria. The standard references established rubbing tests to ensure gown fabrics resist dye transfer when subjected to friction from gloves, skin, or other materials in the operating room. This helps maintain the gown’s professional appearance and prevents potential contamination concerns throughout extended procedures.
AATCC 116 Colorfastness to Rubbing: Rotary Vertical Crockmeter Method
AATCC 116 uses a rotary vertical crockmeter to test colorfastness under a rotating motion that differs from linear rubbing. This method applies consistent pressure and rotation to evaluate staining on a cotton test cloth. It provides valuable data for coated medical fabrics, films, and specialty nonwovens used in drapes and barrier materials where multidirectional friction occurs.
EN ISO 105-X12
EN ISO 105-X12 is the European harmonized version of the colorfastness to rubbing test. It follows the same procedure as ISO 105-X12 but satisfies EU regulatory expectations for medical devices and textiles. Laboratories use it to verify that surgical fabrics and disposables will not release color when rubbed under dry or wet conditions, supporting compliance with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR).
ASTM D2054 Colorfastness of Zipper Tapes to Crocking
ASTM D2054 measures the colorfastness of zipper tapes and components to rubbing. The test applies standardized rubbing action to evaluate dye transfer from the tape material. This method supports quality control for zippers and fasteners used on medical garments, reusable pouches, and textile-based medical devices where long-term appearance and cleanliness are important.
Your Partner for Reliable Crocking Testing for the Medical Industry
Analysis stands ready to support your medical textile colorfastness testing needs. Our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory already maintains a full range of crocking and related abrasion equipment, enabling efficient addition of these medical standards with only minor validation and training.
Whether you are developing new surgical gowns, validating patient apparel, or qualifying components for sterile barriers, our team provides accurate data backed by decades of materials testing experience. Contact Reliable Analysis to discuss how our expanded medical testing capabilities can support your next project or regulatory submission.
