Abrasion Standards in Upholstery Fabric Exports

Importance of Abrasion Tests in Contract Fabrics

In upholstery fabric exports, abrasion tests are among the technical indicators examined by buyers and specification writers [1], [2].
In North American and European markets, distinct test apparatuses, motion kinematics and standard methods are applied to determine the mechanical abrasion resistance of upholstery fabrics [1].

Comparison of Wyzenbeek and Martindale Methods

The ASTM D4157 standard is the oscillatory cylinder method [1]. This method is referred to as the Wyzenbeek test in the industry [1]. During the test, fabric specimens are held stationary under a specified tension and compression force; the cylinder surface covered with abrasive material performs a back-and-forth oscillatory movement across the fabric specimen [1]. In the Wyzenbeek test, abrasion performance is measured and reported in the 'double rub' unit [1]. The abrasive material used during the test is selected as wire screen or cotton duck fabric depending on the fabric structure [1].
The other common abrasion method is the Martindale test [1]. In the Martindale test, the fabric specimen is subjected to multi-directional circular friction along a special geometric pattern called a Lissajous figure [1]. There is no conversion between Wyzenbeek double rub values and Martindale cycle numbers [1]. Therefore, results of the two methods are evaluated separately [1].

Buyer Specifications and End Point Criteria

Acceptable minimum abrasion threshold values specified in tender documents are determined by industry associations (for example Association for Contract Textiles - ACT in the USA) or buyer organizations' specifications [1], [2]. North American contract fabric buyers demand high double rub values in commercial space projects [2].
The end point evaluated in terminating the laboratory test is the breakage of two yarns in the fabric structure or the occurrence of an unacceptable level of noticeable wear on the fabric surface [1]. Standard evaluation methods of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) are used for analyzing color change and surface shade loss of the fabric during the rubbing and abrasion process [3].