Testing acc. to VDA 230-212: Leather, plastic roll stock and textiles for use in vehicles Determining the soiling and cleaning properties process - using soiled facbric
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Testing methods
Our test laboratory performs testing according to VDA 230-212 as an accredited test method to determine the soiling and cleaning properties of leather, coated textiles and textiles used for automotive interior trim. The method is based on ISO 26082-1 and uses a defined soiling cloth in combination with a modified Martindale tester. It evaluates both the tendency of a material to become soiled or stained and the extent to which the contamination can subsequently be removed.
The test is particularly suitable for leather, artificial leather and coated textiles as well as textile materials used in vehicle interiors. Unless otherwise specified, the standard soiling cloth is a denim fabric dyed with indigo and sulphur black and soiled with olive oil and carbon black. This provides a reproducible and demanding soiling exposure for automotive surfaces.
Testing according to VDA 230-212
The specimen is subjected to soiling with the defined cloth in a Martindale tester. Different levels of exposure are normally assessed after 128 and 1,000 revolutions; other numbers of revolutions may be specified by the applicable material specification. The test setup is designed to produce uniform soiling of the material surface.
After soiling, the specimens can be subjected to different ageing procedures. These include storage under standard climatic conditions and heat ageing; hydrolytic ageing or combined light and heat ageing may also be included. The specimens are subsequently cleaned either manually or using an instrumented cleaning procedure with a defined cleaning solution. The remaining staining or soiling is evaluated in comparison with the original specimen.
Applications of the test
VDA 230-212 combines soiling, ageing influences and subsequent cleaning. The method therefore assesses not only the initial susceptibility of a surface to contamination, but also whether soiling remains permanently visible after ageing or can still be removed by cleaning.
The test is particularly suitable for comparing different surface finishes, coatings, colours and material formulations. Cleaning procedures, cleaning agents and anti-soiling treatments can also be investigated. Repeating the test can, for example, provide information on how permanently an anti-soiling treatment retains its effectiveness.
Related tests
The underlying Martindale method for determining the soiling of leather is performed at FILK according to DIN EN ISO 26082-1. For evaluating mechanical wear of automotive surfaces, FILK also performs the abrasion resistance test according to VDA 230-211. The optional hydrolytic ageing specified in VDA 230-212 can be carried out according to VDA 230-208.
Here you will also find an overview of our range of VDA tests and specifications.
