AATCC LP4-2023 Laboratory Procedure for Synthetic Soil 1. Foreword 2. Purpose and Scope gloves when handling soil 2.1 Synthetic Soil is used as a soiling 6.2 All chemicals should be handled 1.1 The AATCC Synthetic Soil For- with care. mula is applicable for several methods option for stain and soiling evaluations. within AATCC and other organizations. 2.2 Synthetic soil originated from car- Historically, AATCC listed the formula pet-related methods; however, its use is 7. Procedure within select AATCC methods. It was not limited and can be used in other 7.1 The soil Formula is listed in Table I. determined that theformula should be methods requiring a synthetic soil appli- 7.2 Synthetic Soil Mixing Guidelines. listed independently. cation. 7.2.1' Canadian Peat moss should be 1.2 AATCC TM123 Carpet Soiling: dry and free of lumps. Accelerated Soiling Methodwas writ- 3. Principle 7.2.2 Portland cement must be dry. If it ten in 1967 and used throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Many types of soil 3.1 This lab procedure provides the contains lumps, discard it and usea fresh historical background of the Synthetic supply. application devices were developed dur- 7.2.3 Mix all dry ingredients thor- ing this time. During this time, the soil Soil Formula (see 1.2 and 1.3) and includes the formula (see Table ) and oughly before adding mineral oil. ingredients were determined, a formula the mixing guidelines (see 7.2) 7.2.4 Dry mix at 50°C (122°F) for 6-8 was developed, and recorded in TM 123. hours. During this period, soil resistance tech- 7.2.5 Place the dry mixture in a ball nology was improved in the carpet 4,Referenced Documents mill with ceramic bails. Turn the mill on industry. Improving the variation of the 4.1AATCCTM122-2019Carpet Soil- and run it for approximately 24 hours. test soil application on the carpet speci- ing: Service Soiling Method (see 8.2). 7.2.6 Store mixture in vapor-tight con- menbecamenecessary.Aworkgroup of 4.2 AATCC TM123-2000 Carpet Soil- tainers with a desiccant. carpet &fiber manufacturers and chemi- ing: Accelerated Soiling Method (see 7.3 The synthetic soil may be pur- cal suppliers formed an ASTM work- group to improve the methods' variation. 8.2) chased pre-mixed (see 8.2). They conducted many trials with differ- 4.3 ASTM D6540Standard Test ent tumblers, mixing media, and other Method for Accelerated Soiling of Pile 8. Notes attributes.Finally,a reproducible way to Yarn Floor Covering (see 8.1). 8.1 Available from ASTM International, apply the soil mixture, detailed in 5. Terminology 10o Barr Harbor Dr., W. Conshohocken PA AATCCTM123,was agreed on. 19428:+1.610.832.9500; www.astm.org 1.3 A new method was written within 5.1 soil, n.dirt, oil, or other sub- 8.2 For potential material information about ASTMD13.21 to describe themethod; it this_ lab procedure, please visit the online was designated ASTM D6540—Stan- stances not normallyintended to be AATCC Buyer's Guide at www.aatcc.org/bg. present on a substrate such as a textile dard Test Method for Accelerated Soil- AATCC provides the possibility of listing material. ing of Pile Yarn Floor Covering. ASTM equipment and materials sold by its Corporate 5.2 soiling, n.—in textiles, a process D6540 referenced the formula found in Member, but AATCC does not qualify or in by which a textile substrate becomes AATCCTM123. any approve, endorse, or certify that any of the more or less uniformly covered with/or listed equipment or materials meet the require- 1.4 TM123 was dropped as an active impregnated with soil. ments of its test methods. soiling test method in subsequent years. It was withdrawn in 2001. The Synthetic 6. Safety Precautions 9. History Soilformula wastransferred toAATCC TM122 Carpet Soiling: Service Soiling NOTE: These safety precautions are 9.1 Developed in 2023 by AATCC Com- Method to preserve the soiling formula. for information purposes only. The pre- mittee RA57. AsTM122mayeventuallysufferthe cautions are ancillary to the testing pro- same fait