ASTM D3512/D3512M-22

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Acceptance Testing—This method of testing fabrics for resistance to pilling is not recommended for acceptance testing. If it is used for acceptance testing, it should be used with caution 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 test method, even though the test method is not recommended for acceptance testing.  
5.1.1 If there are differences or practical significance between reported test results for two laboratories (or more), comparative tests should be performed to determine if there is a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assistance. As a minimum, the test samples should be used that are as homogeneous as possible, drawn from the material from which the disparate test results were obtained, and randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. Other materials with established test values may be used for this purpose. The test results from the two laboratories should be compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, at a probability level chosen prior to the testing series. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or future test results must be adjusted in consideration of the known bias.  
5.2 The pilling of textile fabrics is a very complex property because it is affected by many factors which may include type of fiber or blends, fiber dimensions, yarn and fabric construction, fabric finishing treatments and refurbishing method. Testing before refurbishing may be adviseable. The pilling resistance of a specific fabric in actual wear varies more with general conditions of use and individual wearers than in replicate fabric specimens subjected to controlled laboratory tests. This experience should be borne in mind when adopting levels of acceptability for any series of standards.  
5.3 Pills vary appreciably in size and appearance and de...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propensity of a fabric to form pills and other related surface changes on textiles using the random tumble pilling tester. The procedure is generally applicable to all types of woven and knitted apparel fabrics.  
Note 1: For other test methods for the pilling resistance of textiles, refer to Test Methods D3511/D3511M, D3514/D3514M, and D4970/D4970M.  
1.2 Some fabrics that have been treated with a silicone resin may not be satisfactorily tested by this procedure because the silicone resin may transfer onto the cork liners in the test chamber and cause erroneous results.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1776/D1776M-20 - Standard Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3514/D3514M-16(2020) - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Elastomeric Pad
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020

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: D3512/D3512M − 22
Standard Test Method for
Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of
1
Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble Pilling Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3512/D3512M; 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 pro-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pensity of a fabric to form pills and other related surface
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
changes on textiles using the random tumble pilling tester. The
D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Tex-
procedure is generally applicable to all types of woven and
tiles
knitted apparel fabrics.
D3511/D3511M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and
Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush
NOTE 1—For other test methods for the pilling resistance of textiles,
Pilling Tester
refer to Test Methods D3511/D3511M, D3514/D3514M, and D4970/
D4970M.
D3514/D3514M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and
Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Elas-
1.2 Some fabrics that have been treated with a silicone resin
tomeric Pad
may not be satisfactorily tested by this procedure because the
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test
silicone resin may transfer onto the cork liners in the test
Methods
chamber and cause erroneous results.
D4970/D4970M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Mar-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
tindale Tester
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materi-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
als
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard. 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
12-435120-00 Set of 5 Photographic Standards for Random
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3
Tumble Pilling Test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 For all terminology related to D13.59, Fabric Test
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Methods, General, see Terminology D4850.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 Thefollowingtermsarerelevanttothisstandard:fuzz,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
pilling resistance, pills.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.2 For all other terminology related to textiles, see Termi-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. nology D123.
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 November 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D3512 – 16. DOI: Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
10.1520/D3512_D3512M-22. ADJD3512.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3512/D3512M − 22
4. Summary of Test Method appearance, it is suggested that fabrics tested in the laboratory
be evaluated subjectively with regard to their acceptability and
4.1 Pilling and other changes in surface appearance, such as
not rated solely on the number of pills developed. A series of
fuzzing, that occur in normal wear are simulated on a labora-
standards, based on graduated degrees of surface change of the
tory testing machine. Pills are caused to form on fabric by a
fabric type being tested, may be set up to provide a basis for
random rubbing action produced by tumbling specimens in a
subjective ratings. The visual standards are most advantageous
cylindrical test chamber lined with a mildly
...

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.
Designation: D3512/D3512M − 16 D3512/D3512M − 22
Standard Test Method for
Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of
1
Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble Pilling Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3512/D3512M; 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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the propensity of a fabric to form pills and other related surface changes on
textiles using the random tumble pilling tester. The procedure is generally applicable to all types of woven and knitted apparel
fabrics.
NOTE 1—For other test methods for the pilling resistance of textiles, refer to Test Methods D3511/D3511M, D3514/D3514M, and D4970/D4970M.
1.2 Some fabrics that have been treated with a silicone resin may not be satisfactorily tested by this procedure because the silicone
resin may transfer onto the cork liners in the test chamber and cause erroneous results.
1.3 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.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D3511/D3511M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush Pilling Tester
D3514/D3514M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Elastomeric Pad
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test Methods
D4970/D4970M Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
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 July 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2022. Published July 2016November 2022. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20142016 as
D3512 – 10D3512 – 16.(2014). DOI: 10.1520/D3512_D3512M-16.10.1520/D3512_D3512M-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 ----------------------
D3512/D3512M − 22
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
12-435120-00 Set of 5 Photographic Standards for Random Tumble Pilling Test
3. Terminology
3.1 For all terminology related to D13.59, Fabric Test Methods, General, see Terminology D4850.
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard: fuzz, pilling resistance, pills.
3.2 For all other terminology related to textiles, see Terminology D123.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Pilling and other changes in surface appearance, such as fuzzing, that occur in normal wear are simulated on a laboratory
testing machine. Pills are caused to form on fabric by a random rubbing action produced by tumbling specimens in a cylindrical
test chamber lined with a mildly abrasive material. To form pills with appearance and structure that resemble those produced in
actual wear, small amounts of short-length gray cotton fiber are added to each test chamber with the specimens. The degree of
fabric pilling is eval
...