Martindale Pilling Test according to ISO 12945-2

Martindale abrasion tester
Testing lab
Physical lab
Testing standard

ISO 12945-2

Principle

Textile specimens are rubbed against a standard abradant in a Modified Martindale abrasion and pilling tester. The rubbing follows a Lissajous motion to simulate natural wear. After specific cycles, the fabric is visually assessed and compared to standard photographic references.

Test Method

Equipment

  • Modified Martindale tester with:
    • Standardized abradants (woven wool fabrics or foam/felt pads),
    • Specimen holders with prescribed weight,
    • Counter to monitor the number of rubbing cycles.
  • Light source and viewing cabinet for consistent visual evaluation.
  • Photographic standards (ISO reference photos for pilling severity).

Sample Preparation

  • Multiple test specimens (usually 3 to 6) are cut from the fabric,
  • Specimens are conditioned under standard atmosphere (typically 20 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 4% RH) for at least 24 hours.

Test Procedure

  1. Mount each specimen onto the holder and place it in contact with the abradant.
  2. Apply the specified pressure (commonly 9 kPa for apparel fabrics).
  3. Rub the specimen in a Lissajous pattern for a predetermined number of cycles (e.g., 125, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or up to 7,200).
  4. Stop the machine at specified intervals and evaluate the surface visually.
  5. Compare each specimen to the reference photographs and assign a grade from 1 (severe pilling/fuzzing/matting) to 5 (no change).

Test report

  • The average grade is reported, along with test conditions (cycles, abradant type, pressure)
  • Optional: include photographic evidence or observations on fuzzing/pilling characteristics.

Application

Industries

  • Apparel (especially knitwear, fleece, and delicate weaves),
  • Home textiles (upholstery, drapery, bedding),
  • Automotive textiles (seat fabrics, headliners),
  • Outdoor textiles (awnings, performance fabrics).

Use Cases

  • Product development: Evaluate new fabrics for durability.
  • Quality control: Ensure consistency in production.
  • Specification compliance: Meet buyer or regulatory standards.
  • Consumer claims: Validate pilling resistance for marketing.
pilling

Key Notes

  • The test does not measure durability or wear resistance—only the fabric’s tendency to form pills.
  • The method is comparative, not absolute.

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