The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is set to return to the Functional Fabric Fair Portland in April 2025 with its immersive and educational Textile Test Zone. Following the success of its earlier iterations in 2024, this hands-on exhibition allows attendees to experience live demonstrations of textile testing and gain deeper insight into the science behind product development.

This year’s Textile Test Zone features six interactive stations: Color Acuity & Viewing Environment, Color Fastness, Laundering, Assessments After Laundering, Moisture Management & Water Resistance Testing, and Fiber Fragment Testing.

At the Color Acuity station, attendees can test visual precision using tools like the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue Test and explore lighting effects on color with a Simultaneous Color Viewer. The Color Fastness section demonstrates fabric durability through friction and heat using Rotary Crockmeters and Scorch Testers.

The Laundering station showcases how size, shape, and color of fabrics are impacted by washing, highlighting AATCC’s eco-conscious test methods and detergents. Follow-up Assessments After Laundering focus on shrinkage, skew, and appearance using Shrinkage Scales and wrinkle evaluation tools.

Moisture Management & Water Resistance Testing lets visitors observe how textiles perform against water exposure with Spray and Impact Penetration Testers. Additionally, the Fiber Fragment section addresses microfiber pollution, showcasing AATCC TM212 an industry-first test method for measuring fiber release during laundering.

With a focus on sustainability, performance, and user experience, AATCC’s exhibit brings laboratory testing to life, helping attendees better understand the role of standards in textile innovation and consumer satisfaction.