Textile Testing & Quality

Title: Martyndale Pilling Testing Method

06-NTU-97

8th semester

Submitted to:

Mr. Salman Naeem Sb.

NTU Faisalabad
 Abstract:
The pilling of textile fabrics is very complex property because it is affected by many
factors, such as type of fiber of blend, fiber dimensions, yarn and fabric construction,
and fabric-finishing treatments. This method of testing fabrics for resistance to pilling
is not recommended for acceptance testing of commercial shipment, because the
between-laboratory precision is poor. In some cases the purchaser and the supplier
may have to test a commercial shipment of one or more specific materials by the best
available method, even though the method has not been recommended for acceptance
testing of commercial shipments. In such a case, if there is a disagreement arising
from differences in values reported by the purchaser and the supplier when using this
method or acceptance testing, the statistical bias, if any, between the laboratory of the
purchaser and the laboratory of the supplier should be determined with each
comparison being based on testing specimens randomly drawn from one sample of
material of the type being evaluated.

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Contents
Abstract:......................................................................................................................................................0

Theory:........................................................................................................................................................3

RELATED STANDARD:.......................................................................................................................3

Martindale Abrasion / Pilling Tester:.......................................................................................................3

FOR ABRASION:...................................................................................................................................3

FOR PILLING:........................................................................................................................................3

Objective:....................................................................................................................................................4

APPARATUS:............................................................................................................................................4

Procedure:...................................................................................................................................................4

Assessment:.................................................................................................................................................5

Conclusion:..................................................................................................................................................5

Reference:...................................................................................................................................................5

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 Theory:
1. Fuzz: untangled fibre ends that protrude from the surface of a yarn of fabric.

2. Pilling resistance: resistance to the formations pills on a textile fabric.

3. Pills: Bunches or balls of tangled fibers that are held to the surface of a fabric by one
or more fibers.

RELATED STANDARD:
ASTM-4970

Martindale Abrasion / Pilling Tester:

FOR ABRASION:
The equipment is designed to subject specimens under test to a controlled amount of
rubbing at comparatively lows pressures and in continuously changing directions to
ensure that all surface fibers on the specimens are flexed in order to compare the
resistance of fabrics to abrasion.
Under this test, the circular specimen of fabric are rubbed against a standard
Abradant, under a known pressure and the resistance to abrasion in determined by the
number of rubs to breakdown or by the loss in the mass of specimens.
Up to 4 specimens are tested simultaneously. Each one is prepared and mounted
separately in a Specimen Holder. To improve even wear, specimen lighter than
500g/m2, are backed with a standard Polyurethane foam. The Abradant material
(Standard Felt & Abradant Fabric), against which the specimen is rubbed, is clamped
tightly over the abrading Plateform to prevent possible metal-to-metal contact.

FOR PILLING:
The method of testing for pilling is suitable for knitted and woven fabrics, made from
Staple spun yarn.
The stroke of the top plate is reduced from 60.5 to 24 mm. The area of the exposed
Specimen is 64 cm2, the holders esurts a pressure of 2.5 CN/cm2 (Knitted).

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Using the Lissajous motion, three pairs of the specimens are rubbed against each other
for 125,500 and 2000 revolution respectively. The test takes about 40 minutes the
degree of pilling is assessed against photographic standard.

Objective:
 To evaluate the potential of fabric to pill with the help of martindale pilling
tester

APPARATUS:
1. Martindale Abrasion Tester
2. Abradant
3. Press Cutter4
4. China Marker, used to mark the abrasion testing area around the template.
5. Circular Template, having a diameter of 130 + 2 mm (5 + 0.0625 in)

Procedure:
 Firstly sample is cut of dimensions 160mm dia and 38mm dia.
 The test specimen is placed on the sample holder with the wales of the garment
running parallel to the abradant holder’s direction of travel. Stretch the sample
until the template outline is lined up with the inner area of the sample holder.
 The motion plate is placed on the Martindale abrasion machine. The abradant
holder and head weight are placed on the motion plate.
 The batch is set counter to 1000 cycles/minute.
 The machine is started.

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 When the machine stops after 1000 cycles, head weight, abradant holder, and
motion plate are is removed.

Assessment:
 Grading should be carried out in the dark room or curtained of area.
 Select the appropriate woven or knitted photographic standards for use in the
Pilliscope.
 Grade each specimen in turn by placing in the Pilliscope and compare the
degree of pilling against the standard photographs. Record the grade.
 Mount the graded specimens by stapling on to size A4 card. Mount the strip of
untested fabric across the card between the two pairs of specimens.

Conclusion:
The fabric specimen is measured by subjecting the garment to a straight line
rubbing motion. The endpoint is determined by a specified number of cycles or
when a hole appears in the test area

Reference:
www.manufacturingsolutions.org

www.labnetwork.org

Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 07.01