ASTM D4970/D4970M-22

Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Acceptance Testing—This method of testing fabrics resistance to pilling is not recommended for acceptance testing. If it is used for acceptance testing, it should be used with caution because interlaboratory data are not available. In some cases the purchaser or 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. Although this test method is not recommended for acceptance testing, it is useful because it is used widely outside the United States.  
5.2 If there is a disagreement arising from differences in values reported by the purchaser and the supplier when using this test method, the statistical bias, if any, between the laboratory of the purchaser and the laboratory of the supplier should be determined with comparison being based on testing specimens randomly drawn from one sample of material of the type being evaluated. Competent statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. A minimum of two parties should take a group of test specimens, which are as homogeneous as possible and which are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test specimens then should be assigned randomly in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average test results from the two laboratories should be compared using an acceptable statistical protocol and probability level chosen by the two parties before the testing is started. Appropriate statistical disciplines for comparing data must be used when the purchaser and supplier cannot agree. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or the purchaser and the supplier must agree to interpret future results with consideration for the known bias.  
5.3 The pilling of textile fabrics is a very complex property because it is affected by many factors that include type of fiber or blends, fiber dimensions, yarn and fabric construction, and fabric f...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance to the formation of pills and other related surface changes on textile fabrics using the Martindale tester.
Note 1: For other methods, if testing the pilling resistance of textiles, refer to Test Methods D3511/D3511M, D3512/D3512M, and D3514.  
1.2 This test method is generally applicable to knit, woven, and nonwoven fabrics; however, material thickness may limit suitability for testing due to specimen holder capacity.  
1.3 The fabric may be laundered or dry cleaned before testing as agreed upon among interested parties.  
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2022
• ICS: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.60 - Fabric Physical Test Methods B

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4970/D4970M − 22
Standard Test Method for
Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of
1
Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4970/D4970M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
tancetotheformationofpillsandotherrelatedsurfacechanges D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
on textile fabrics using the Martindale tester. D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D3511/D3511M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and
NOTE 1—For other methods, if testing the pilling resistance of textiles,
Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush
refer to Test Methods D3511/D3511M, D3512/D3512M, and D3514.
Pilling Tester
1.2 This test method is generally applicable to knit, woven,
D3512/D3512M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and
and nonwoven fabrics; however, material thickness may limit
Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Ran-
suitability for testing due to specimen holder capacity.
dom Tumble Pilling Tester
1.3 The fabric may be laundered or dry cleaned before
D3514 Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related
testing as agreed upon among interested parties.
Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Elastomeric Pad
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Methods
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
ADJD3512 Set of 5 Photographic Standards for Random
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Tumble Pilling Test
with the standard.
3. Terminology
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 For all terminology relating to D13.59, Fabric Test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Methods, General, refer to Terminology D4850.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard: fuzz,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Lissajous figure, movement, pilling resistance, pills.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2 For all other terms related to textiles, refer to Terminol-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ogy D123.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.3 fuzz, n—fiber ends that protrude from the surface of a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
yarn or fabric.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D13 on Textiles For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Physical Test contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Methods B. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4970/ Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
ɛ3
D4970M – 16 . DOI: 10.1520/D4970_D4970M-22. ADJD3512.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D4970/D4970M − 22
3.4 Lissajous figure, n—any of an infinite variety of curves
formed by combining two mutually perpendicular simple
harmonic motions, commonly exhibited by the oscilloscope,
and used in studying frequency, amplitude, and phase relations
of harmonic variables.
3.4.1 Discussion—as related to the Martindale Tester, geo-
metric figure comprised of 16 arcs that start as a straight line,
then become a widening ellipse and narrow to again become a
straight line.
FIG. 1 Martindale Tester
3.5 movement, n—as related to the Martindale Tester, one
rotation of the outer gearing of the Martindale tester, creating
one of the 16 arcs that form a Lissajous figure.
3.6 pills, n—bunches or balls of tangled fibers which
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´3
Designation: D4970/D4970M − 16 D4970/D4970M − 22
Standard Test Method for
Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of
1
Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4970/D4970M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—In 10.1, the standard atmosphere for testing textiles shown in brackets was corrected from [70 6 20°F] to
[70 6 2°F] in April 2017.
2
ε NOTE—In 6.6.2, the conversion of 105 mm was corrected to 4.13 in. editorially in June 2017.
3
ε NOTE—In 8.2, “a pair” was editorially corrected to “four pairs” to match the language in 13.2.1 in January 2018.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance to the formation of pills and other related surface changes on textile
fabrics using the Martindale tester. The procedure generally is applicable to all types of fabrics, being particularly suitable for
woven fabrics.
NOTE 1—For other methods, if testing the pilling resistance of textiles, refer to Test Methods D3511/D3511M, D3512/D3512M, and D3514.
1.2 This test method is not suitable for fabrics thicker than 3 mm [0.125 in.] because such fabrics cannot be mounted in the
specimen holder.generally applicable to knit, woven, and nonwoven fabrics; however, material thickness may limit suitability for
testing due to specimen holder capacity.
1.3 The fabric may be laundered or dry cleaned before testing.testing as agreed upon among interested parties.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Physical Test Methods,
SpecificMethods B.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2022. Published February 2016December 2022. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20102016
ɛ2ɛ3
as D4970/D4970M – 16 . DOI: 10.1520/D4970_D4970M-16E03.10.1520/D4970_D4970M-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4970/D4970M − 22
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D3511/D3511M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush Pilling Tester
D3512/D3512M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble
Pilling Tester
D3514 Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Elastomeric Pad
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test Methods
D7018 Terminology Relating to Glass Fiber and Its Products
3
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
ADJD3512 Set of 5 Photographic Standards for Random Tumble Pilling Test
3. Terminology
3.1 For all terminology relating to D13.59, Fabric Test Methods, General, refer to TerminologiesTerminology D4850 and D7018.
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard: cycle,fuzz,fuzz,Lissajous figure,movement,pilling resistance,pills.
3.2 For all other terms related to text
...