Medical Laboratory Testing: Immersion/Gas Staining
Immersion/Gas Staining testing evaluates colorfastness and resistance to staining when materials are exposed to liquids or gases. The test immerses or exposes specimens to simulated perspiration, disinfectants, or burnt gas fumes and rates color change or staining on adjacent materials. For medical manufacturers, strong performance ensures surgical gowns, scrubs, drapes, and textiles maintain appearance and do not transfer color or stain when exposed to body fluids or environmental gases.
Staining from fluids or gases can affect the professional appearance of medical apparel and raise concerns about cleanliness. Applus+ Reliable Analysis already maintains accredited colorfastness, immersion, and gas exposure testing capabilities, integrated with our full suite of textile durability and chemical resistance methods.
These evaluations support key standards for protective apparel and medical textiles. Manufacturers use immersion and gas staining data to qualify materials that resist color change and staining while preserving barrier properties and comfort. Applus+ Reliable Analysis delivers consistent, reproducible results using equipment already operating daily under our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Common Immersion/Gas Staining Medical Testing Standards
AATCC 15 Colorfastness to Perspiration
AATCC 15 evaluates the colorfastness of textiles to perspiration by immersing specimens in an artificial perspiration solution, applying pressure, and incubating at elevated temperature. The test rates color change and staining on adjacent fabrics using grey scales. It is widely used for surgical gowns, scrubs, patient apparel, and medical textiles to ensure colors remain stable and do not transfer when exposed to body fluids or sweat-like conditions.
AATCC 23 Colorfastness to Burnt Gas Fumes
AATCC 23 determines colorfastness to burnt gas fumes (nitrogen oxides) by exposing specimens to generated fumes in a chamber and rating color change. When combined with immersion testing, it evaluates staining from both gas exposure and liquid contact. It is relevant for medical textiles that may encounter combustion products or chemical vapors alongside fluid exposure in clinical or storage environments.
ASTM D543 Evaluating the Resistance of Plastics to Chemical Reagents
ASTM D543 exposes plastic specimens to various chemical reagents through immersion and evaluates changes in appearance, including staining or discoloration. The standard measures visual and physical alterations after exposure. It is commonly used for medical plastics and coated components to ensure they resist staining from disinfectants, bodily fluids, or other reagents encountered during use or cleaning.
ISO 105-E04 Textiles Color Fastness to Perspiration
ISO 105-E04 determines colorfastness to perspiration by treating specimens with artificial perspiration solution, applying pressure, and incubating. Color change and staining are rated using grey scales. It is particularly relevant for medical apparel and textiles intended for European markets to ensure colors do not bleed or stain under body fluid exposure.
ISO 10993-18 Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices
ISO 10993-18 guides chemical characterization of medical device materials and can incorporate immersion or gas staining tests to assess whether surface staining or discoloration is accompanied by increased extractables. The standard links physical staining observations with analytical evaluation of potential leachables. It is critical for medical textiles, plastics, and components where staining resistance supports long-term biocompatibility and safety.
Your Partner for Expert Immersion/Gas Staining Testing
Applus+ Reliable Analysis stands ready to support your medical textile immersion and gas staining colorfastness testing needs. Our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory already maintains the necessary immersion and gas exposure setups and evaluation capabilities. This allowing us to efficiently add these medical standards with only minor validation and training.
Whether you are developing new surgical gowns, validating scrubs and drapes, or qualifying barrier fabrics, our team provides accurate and reliable data backed by decades of materials testing expertise. We invite you to Contact us to discuss how our expanded medical testing capabilities can support your next project or regulatory submission.
Additional Applus+ Reliable Analysis’ Commercial Medical Testing Capabilities
Whether it be material EMC, environmental, fabrication, or durability testing, Applus+ Reliable Analysis has a full lab of test equipment. This permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling. Our team strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development rather than testing.
Below is a list of common medical testing types that Reliable Analysis offers. Don’t see what you are looking for? Contact us, and we will determine the best course of action.
