Farberhalt

Farberhalt, commonly translated as colorfastness, refers to the ability of a dyed material to retain its color and resist color transfer under conditions of use and care. It encompasses the resistance to fading when exposed to light, washing, rubbing, perspiration, and various chemical environments. Farberhalt is a key quality parameter in the textile and dyeing industries, influencing consumer satisfaction, product labeling, and durability.

Assessment of Farberhalt relies on standardized test methods that simulate real-world conditions. Typical tests include washing fastness (for example under different temperature and detergent conditions), light fastness (exposure to artificial or natural light), and rubbing or crocking tests (simulated abrasion). In many systems, color change is rated using a grey scale or similar scoring, where higher values indicate better color retention. International standards bodies such as ISO and, in some regions, AATCC provide specific procedures and rating criteria. Testing can be performed on the finished fabric, on swatches, or on samples representative of production runs.

Several factors influence Farberhalt. The dye class, fiber type, and the degree of dye fixation determine how strongly color is bound to the substrate. Finishing treatments, pH, temperature, and post-dyeing processes also affect performance. Natural fibers tend to differ from synthetic ones in their colorfast behavior, and different dyes exhibit varying affinities for particular fibers.

In practice, Farberhalt guides product development, quality control, and consumer expectations, and it is routinely described in product specifications and care labels.