Colour Fastness to Sea Water Explained: How It Works in Performance Sportswear
Colour Fastness to Sea Water is best understood as stability against salt water exposure. This entry explains how it behaves inside a finished garment rather than only in the laboratory.
What the term means
stability against salt water exposure, which is why the value appears on almost every technical data sheet. Working figures for Colour Fastness to Sea Water normally sit around grade 4 minimum in mainstream production. Note ISO 105-E02 sea water on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Why it matters in practice
it separates swim ranges from general sportswear, so it influences buying decisions more than most buyers expect. Record elastane content alongside Colour Fastness to Sea Water, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside grade 4 minimum usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
Typical values seen in activewear
grade 4 minimum. Ranges vary by construction, so compare like with like. Keeping reference values for Colour Fastness to Sea Water lets suppliers quote without extra sampling rounds. Ask for conditioning details together with ISO 105-E02 sea water, since both affect the reading.
How it is measured
ISO 105-E02 sea water is the reference normally quoted on a test report. Working figures for Colour Fastness to Sea Water normally sit around grade 4 minimum in mainstream production. Note ISO 105-E02 sea water on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Frequent mistakes
Comparing results from different standards, testing unwashed fabric, and writing the target without tolerance are the common errors. Record elastane content alongside Colour Fastness to Sea Water, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside grade 4 minimum usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
