Resistance to snagging according to ASTM D3939
ASTM D3939 (2017)
ASTM D3939M-13 (2017)
Principle
This method evaluates how resistant woven or knitted fabrics are to snagging—when loops of yarn or fibers are pulled out after contact with sharp or rough objects. This property is important for certain applications where the fabric is exposed to wear and abrasion.
Fabrics made from filament yarns are generally more prone to snagging than those made from staple fibers. However, woven fabrics with long floats can also be sensitive.
Test method
The Mace Snagging Tester simulates snagging.
- Fabric specimens are sewn into tubes, turned right side out, and mounted on felt-covered rotating cylinders.
- A spiked metal ball (the mace) randomly strikes the fabric surface as the cylinder rotates.
- After a set number of revolutions, the fabric is visually inspected.
Snagging is rated using a photographic scale from 1 to 5, where 5 indicates no loops.
Because the mace pulls loops in only one direction, it's important to test both warp and weft directions—two specimens per direction.
Specific Testing Conditions
Specific conditions concerning our testing reports