What Is the GT-KC52 Circular Rubbing Colour Fastness Tester?
The GT-KC52 Circular Rubbing Colour Fastness Tester is designed to assess friction damage and surface colour transfer on coloured materials. It is described for testing upper materials including leather, plastics, and fabrics. In quality control work, this type of assessment helps teams observe how a material surface responds when it is rubbed under a constant pressure condition.
The tester performs circular rubbing using wool felt in dry or wet conditions. After the selected rubbing count is reached, the machine stops automatically. The result can be evaluated by examining the tested specimen and the amount of colour transferred to the rubbing pad, with assessment referenced to a standard gray scale where applicable.
Why Rub Fastness Testing Matters
Colour appearance is an important consideration for many material-based products. Rubbing can affect a coloured surface directly and may also transfer colour to another contact material. A repeatable test process allows laboratories and production teams to inspect these effects under controlled conditions rather than relying only on visual checks during routine handling.
For leather, textiles, plastics, and related upper materials, a circular rubbing test can support material evaluation during development, incoming inspection, and product quality review. The GT-KC52 is intended to provide a defined rubbing action and a recorded number of test cycles, helping users carry out comparable test runs when the same procedure, load, rubbing material, and assessment method are used.
Stated Test Functions and Operating Features
The GT-KC52 is described for several rubbing approaches: dry rubbing, wet rubbing, perspiration rubbing, alcohol rubbing, and rubbing with organic liquids. Where a test requires a particular liquid, the user is responsible for preparing that liquid.
A preset counter allows the operator to select the required number of rubs while displaying the actual count during the test. The machine is stated to stop when the preset count has been reached. This feature can simplify monitoring for tests that require a specific number of cycles.
The material color fastness tester also has a memory function for a manually stopped test. If the test is paused before reaching its preset count, the current count can be retained until it is cleared to zero or testing is continued. The source information also notes that, after shutdown and restart, the current count is cleared to zero while the preset count remains at its last setting.
Different loads may be applied according to the testing requirement. Because the selected load, rubbing medium, condition, and evaluation method can affect the observed result, these settings should be documented as part of the laboratory procedure.
Typical Dry Rubbing Test Workflow
Before beginning a test, inspect the supplied accessories according to the order and level the instrument. Confirm the power connection, then switch on the power and emergency stop controls. A preliminary machine check should verify that the friction head lifts and lowers normally without jamming.
For a dry rubbing test, lift the fixture and fit the wool felt. Position the specimen with the test surface facing upward, lower the fixture, and install the required weights. The source procedure describes selecting Counter mode in the parameter screen, setting the desired number of cycles, clearing the current count with the Zero control, and starting the test.
The source also gives an example setting of 64 test cycles and a speed of 150 ± 5 r/min. These values should not be treated as universal requirements; the appropriate settings depend on the applicable test procedure and the material being evaluated.
Managing Heat-Sensitive Surfaces
Materials with coatings that soften or melt at relatively low temperatures may require additional attention during rubbing. The source recommends stopping periodically to avoid heat damage. It also describes placing a round aluminum block over the rubbed area and allowing the specimen to rest for 30 seconds before continuing. Once the selected cycle count is reached, the tester stops; the operator can then remove the specimen and observe the surface and rubbing pad.
What to Consider When Selecting a Circular Rubbing Tester
When evaluating a Color Fastness to Rubbing Tester, businesses should first consider the specific materials to be tested—such as leather, plastic, or fabric—and the intended test methods (e.g., dry, wet, perspiration, alcohol, or organic liquid rubbing). If the procedure requires specific test liquids, arrangements must be made to have the necessary fluids on hand.
Next, consider workflow control. A preset counter, actual-count display, automatic stopping, and a pause-memory function can be useful where technicians need to manage repeated test runs. Also review the accessories included with the ordered configuration, since the source lists items such as weights, a square iron block, and a round aluminum block according to order.
Finally, define how results will be recorded and assessed. A clear test record should identify the specimen, rubbing condition, cycle count, load, observations on the sample surface, and any colour transfer to the rubbing pad. This creates a more consistent basis for comparing materials and reviewing quality results over time.
