American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Encyclopedia
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is a not-for-profit association that provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for textile professionals throughout the world.
(ISO) textile test method development (AATCC is secretary of ISO TC38 SC1 and SC2) on behalf of the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). AATCC offers test method training in 11 locations around the globe, test method proficiency programs, and quality control products for use in conducting its test methods.
AATCC publishes a journal, AATCC Review, containing technical articles, peer-reviewed
research, and news for textile professionals. A monthly newsletter is distributed by e-mail. Other publications include books, training CDs, and online instruction.
The association conducts educational programs such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and symposia on many aspects of textiles. Proficiency programs are available for labs to participate in.
Each year, AATCC honors outstanding members and the greater textile community with a number of awards, including the Olney Medal for outstanding achievement in textile chemistry. The Millson Award for Invention recognizes outstanding contributions to textile technology, the Harold C. Chapin Award is presented for exemplary service to AATCC, and the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award goes to the authors of the best peer-reviewed manuscript published in AATCC Review during the year. Students may compete for several awards including a research paper competition, a fabric and textile product design competition, and a materials design competition.
AATCC Foundation Inc. was established in 1997 and operates independently in the furtherance of the charitable mission of the association by providing scholarships and research grants to undergraduate and graduate students studying textiles and related fields.
AATCC works in cooperation with other textile associations including the Textile Institute
(UK), Asociación Argentina de Químicos y Coloristas Textiles (Argentina), and the China Textile Information Center (China). Together with its counterpart in the United Kingdom, the Society of Dyers and Colourists
, AATCC maintains the Colour Index International
, a reference database of pigments and dyes.
AATCC is administered by a board of directors, including regional representatives who are elected by the members from their region. Eligible members of all regions elect the AATCC President. AATCC staff is based at the AATCC Technical Center and provide administrative assistance to the board.
Research committees, made up of volunteer members, are responsible for test method development. Administrative committees, also consisting of volunteer members, are responsible for the various activities of the association.
There are three interest groups within AATCC:
and other textile professionals in the Boston area (Massachusetts, USA). Since 1964, the association has been headquartered at the AATCC Technical Center in Research Triangle Park
, North Carolina
, USA. A complete history of AATCC (to 1996) is covered in the book Dyeing for a Living by Mark Clark and published by AATCC.
such as retail quality control, design, and merchandising; textile and apparel manufacturing; textile fiber, dye, chemical, instrument, and machinery manufacturing; testing labs; and academia. Several other textile-related associations are also members of AATCC.
Activities
AATCC has developed more than 200 textile-related test methods and evaluation procedures. These methods are published each year in the AATCC Technical Manual. AATCC also manages several functions relating to International Organization for StandardizationInternational Organization for Standardization
The International Organization for Standardization , widely known as ISO, is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on February 23, 1947, the organization promulgates worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial...
(ISO) textile test method development (AATCC is secretary of ISO TC38 SC1 and SC2) on behalf of the American National Standards Institute
American National Standards Institute
The American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international...
(ANSI). AATCC offers test method training in 11 locations around the globe, test method proficiency programs, and quality control products for use in conducting its test methods.
AATCC publishes a journal, AATCC Review, containing technical articles, peer-reviewed
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
research, and news for textile professionals. A monthly newsletter is distributed by e-mail. Other publications include books, training CDs, and online instruction.
The association conducts educational programs such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and symposia on many aspects of textiles. Proficiency programs are available for labs to participate in.
Each year, AATCC honors outstanding members and the greater textile community with a number of awards, including the Olney Medal for outstanding achievement in textile chemistry. The Millson Award for Invention recognizes outstanding contributions to textile technology, the Harold C. Chapin Award is presented for exemplary service to AATCC, and the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award goes to the authors of the best peer-reviewed manuscript published in AATCC Review during the year. Students may compete for several awards including a research paper competition, a fabric and textile product design competition, and a materials design competition.
AATCC Foundation Inc. was established in 1997 and operates independently in the furtherance of the charitable mission of the association by providing scholarships and research grants to undergraduate and graduate students studying textiles and related fields.
AATCC works in cooperation with other textile associations including the Textile Institute
Textile Institute
The Textile Institute is a unique organisation in textiles, clothing and footwear. It was incorporated in England by a Royal Charter granted in 1925 and is a registered charity...
(UK), Asociación Argentina de Químicos y Coloristas Textiles (Argentina), and the China Textile Information Center (China). Together with its counterpart in the United Kingdom, the Society of Dyers and Colourists
Society of Dyers and Colourists
The Society of Dyers and Colourists is an international professional society, with headquarters in Bradford, United Kingdom, specializing in colour in all its manifestations. Founded in 1884, it was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1963...
, AATCC maintains the Colour Index International
Colour Index International
Colour Index International is a reference database jointly maintained by the Society of Dyers and Colourists and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. It was first printed in 1925 but is now published exclusively on the web...
, a reference database of pigments and dyes.
Organization
Local sections and student chapters are formed by association members located in a particular geographical area. Sections and chapters further the exchange of textile information by arranging meetings, lectures, and other technical or social activities. Several sections make up a region.AATCC is administered by a board of directors, including regional representatives who are elected by the members from their region. Eligible members of all regions elect the AATCC President. AATCC staff is based at the AATCC Technical Center and provide administrative assistance to the board.
Research committees, made up of volunteer members, are responsible for test method development. Administrative committees, also consisting of volunteer members, are responsible for the various activities of the association.
There are three interest groups within AATCC:
Chemical Applications Interest Group
Stimulates and expands its members' knowledge base of applying chemicals (preparation aids, colorants, finishes, polymers, etc.) to textile substrates. This includes the technologies, equipment, systems, and processes used, as well as the tested physical/mechanical properties of treated materials.Concept 2 Consumer (C2C) Interest Group
Focuses on the creation of textiles and textile-containing products, from design to retail. C2C activities promote the association to the retail, merchandising, and design communities to increase membership and participation in activities benefiting textile, apparel, and home fashions production.Materials Interest Group
Addresses the latest innovations in fibers and fiber products, including smart textiles, novel fibers, medical/biomedical, and protective textiles. Areas of interest include modifications of existing structures and the creation of unique chemical-, polymer-, and fiber-based materials. The Materials Interest Group concentrates on the science and engineering used to create new materials, along with any technologies, equipment, systems, and processes developed for their commercial production and their tested physical/mechanical properties.History
AATCC was founded in 1921 by Louis OlneyLouis Olney
Louis Atwell Olney was a pioneering textile chemist and educator.He was the founder and first president of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists which in 1944 established the Olney Medal, in his honor, to recognize outstanding achievements in textile or polymer chemistry or...
and other textile professionals in the Boston area (Massachusetts, USA). Since 1964, the association has been headquartered at the AATCC Technical Center in Research Triangle Park
Research Triangle Park
The Research Triangle Park is a research park in the United States. It is located near Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill, in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, USA. A complete history of AATCC (to 1996) is covered in the book Dyeing for a Living by Mark Clark and published by AATCC.
Membership
AATCC has individual, student, and corporate members in areas of the textile industryTextile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
such as retail quality control, design, and merchandising; textile and apparel manufacturing; textile fiber, dye, chemical, instrument, and machinery manufacturing; testing labs; and academia. Several other textile-related associations are also members of AATCC.