ASTM E2227-02

1.1 Metameric coloration of fibers can be detected using UV/visible spectrophotometry. If spectrophotometry is restricted to the visible spectral range only, differences in dye components may remain undetected. One method of detecting additional components is to use thin-layer chromatography (TLC). TLC is an inexpensive, simple, well-documented technique that, under certain conditions, can be used to complement the use of visible spectroscopy in comparisons of fiber colorants. The principle of the method is that the dye components are separated by their differential migration caused by a mobile phase flowing through a porous, adsorptive medium.