How to Test and Enhance Pilling Resistance of Fabrics?

Piling is the most progressive appearance of small balls of fibers on the surface of textiles, which occur most rapidly on the part where there is the most intense friction, making textiles poor in wearability. There are numerous test methods for pilling resistance, in the way that simulates the environment where the fabric develops small balls on its surface under the effect of rubbing which occurs in the process of wearing and washing in daily life. Generally speaking, test methods are adopted according to product categories, consumer demand, places of birth, and so on. As a result, test methods vary from nation to nation. The following are the currently popular methods, such as the ICI pilling box tester method, Martindale abrasion meter method, Random tumble pilling method. Nowadays most consumers tend to grade textiles based on the degree of pilling after washing. Alternately, they are also eager to use a variety of test techniques to evaluate how well fabrics resist pilling after washing.

Test methods for pilling resistance of fabrics

1. Martindale abrasion and pilling method

The principle of martindale test: Three pairs of circular specimens are initially taken from textiles under test and put respectively in the upper and lower clamping device. Then specimens rub against each other, according to the theory of Liza Ru curve trajectory friction. Finally, after revoluting a certain number of times, compare it with its original form or standard form in the rating box. Additionally, the degree of pilling can be categorized into five degrees using the aforementioned criteria. The worst is level one while the best is level five. When the outcome lies halfway between two adjacent levels, the textile can be considered as half level. This method is also applicable to all types of fabrics but is mostly used in woven fabrics. It mainly simulates the pilling condition when the fabric itself is rubbed more frequently against each other. The most commonly used test standards are ISO 12945-2, GB/T 4802.2, IWS TM 196, and ASTM D4970. But few buyers apply the American standard ASTM D4970. The fabrics regarded as level 3.5 are commercially acceptable.

2. ICI pilling box method

The principle of test: three pieces of every kind of square specimen with a certain size should be taken along the warp and weft directions respectively from the fabric under test. Among them, two samples need to be stitched into a tube face-to-face and set on the polyurethane sample tube at first with its front face outward. Then, tumble them together in a cork-lined box "9×9×9" and set the test chamber to flip at the speed of 3600 revolutions per hour to satisfy with consumer's requirements. Finally, take out the specimen and compare it with its original form or standard form in the rating box. Additionally, the degree of pilling can be categorized into five degrees using the aforementioned criteria. The worst is level one while the best is level five. When the outcome lies halfway between two adjacent levels, the fabrics can be considered as half level. And the three ici pilling tester standards that are most frequently utilized are IWS TM 152, GB/T 4802.3, and ISO 12945-1. By adopting this method, the pilling situation can be simulated that textiles rub by themselves or develop friction after contacting other fabrics. This test method can be applied to all types of fabrics. It is primarily applicable to knitted sweaters in the domestic market or exported to the European market.

3. Random tumble pilling method

The principle of the test: firstly, take three square specimens from the area in the direction of 45°of test specimen. Then dry them after sealing their sides with glue and put them along with a small number of lint shavings (if the JIS L 1076 D3 method is applied, there is no need for the lint shavings) into a tumble with a rotation rate of about 1200 rpm for 30 minutes (some customers require 60 minutes). Finally, compare it with its standard form in the rating box. Additionally, the degree of pilling can be categorized into five degrees using the aforementioned criteria. The worst is level one while the best is level five.