ASTM D4970-05(2007)e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester)
Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester)
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 D 3511, D 3512, and D 3514.
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.
1.3 The fabric may be laundered or dry cleaned before testing.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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e1
Designation:D4970–05 (Reapproved 2007)
Standard Test Method for
Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of
Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4970; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Footnote 3 was editorially corrected in August 2007.
1. Scope D 3512 Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Re-
lated Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-
Pilling Tester
tancetotheformationofpillsandotherrelatedsurfacechanges
on textile fabrics using the Martindale tester. The procedure
3. Terminology
generally is applicable to all types of fabrics, being particularly
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other textile terms used
suitable for woven fabrics.
in this test method, refer to Terminology D 123.
NOTE 1—For other methods, if testing the pilling resistance of textiles,
3.2 Description of Terms Specific to This Standard:
refer to Test Methods D 3511, D 3512, and D 3514.
3.2.1 cycle, n—in the Martindale tester, the sixteen move-
1.2 This test method is not suitable for fabrics thicker than
ments required to complete one Lissajous figure.
3 mm (0.125 in.) because such fabrics cannot be mounted in
3.2.2 fuzz, n—untangled fiber ends that protrude from the
the specimen holder.
surface of a yarn or fabric.
1.3 The fabric may be laundered or dry cleaned before
3.2.3 movement, n—one rotation of the outer gearing of the
testing.
Martindale tester.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2.4 pilling resistance, n—resistance to formation of pills
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
on the surface of a textile fabric.
information only.
3.2.5 pills, n—bunches or balls of tangled fibers, which are
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
held to the surface of a fabric by one or more fibers.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.1 Pilling and other changes in the surface appearance,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
such as fuzzing, that occur in normal wear are simulated on a
laboratory testing machine. Fabrics are mounted on the Mar-
2. Referenced Documents
tindale Tester, and the face of the test specimen is rubbed
2.1 ASTM Standards:
against the face of the same mounted fabric in the form of a
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
geometric figure, that is, a straight line, which becomes a
D 2514 Discontinued 1977; Tolerances for Fabrics Woven
gradually widening ellipse, until it forms another straight line
from All-Cotton or from Cotton Man-Made Fiber Blends
in the opposite direction and traces the same figure again under
D 3511 Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Re-
light pressure for a specific number of movements. The degree
lated Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush Pilling
of fabric pilling or surface appearance change produced by this
Tester
action is evaluated by comparison of the tested specimen with
visual standards that may be actual fabrics, or photographs of
fabrics, showing a range of pilling resistance. The observed
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D13 onTextiles
resistance to pilling is reported using an arbitrary rating scale.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Test Methods,
Specific.
5. Significance and Use
Current edition approved July 1, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally
5.1 Acceptance Testing—This method of testing fabrics
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D 4970 – 05.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
resistancetopillingisnotrecommendedforacceptancetesting.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
If it is used for acceptance testing, it should be used with
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
caution because interlaboratory data are not available. In some
the ASTM website.
Withdrawn. cases the purchaser or supplier may have to test a commercial
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D4970–05 (2007)
shipmentofoneormorespecificmaterialsbythebestavailable of the type in question. The test specimens then should be
methodeventhoughthemethodhasnotbeenrecommendedfor assigned randomly in equal numbers to each laboratory for
acceptance testing. Although this test method is not recom-
testing. The average test results from the two laboratories
mended for acceptance testing, it is useful because it is used
shouldbecomparedusinganacceptablestatisticalprotocoland
widely outside the United States.
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 finishing treatments. The pilling resistance of a specific
fabricinactualwearvariesmorewithgeneralconditionsofuse
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 a
series of standards.
5.4 Finishes and fabric surface changes may exert a large
effect on pilling. It is recommended that fabrics be tested after
laundering or drycleaning, or both. Testing before refurbishing
also may be advisable. Prior agreement between interested
parties should determine the state of the test.
FIG. 1 Martindale Abrasion Tester
5.5 Pills vary appreciably in size and appearance and
depend on the presence of lint and degree of color contrast.
5.2 If there is a disagreement arising from differences in
These factors are not evaluated when pilling is rated solely on
values reported by the purchaser and the supplier when using
the number of pills. The development of pills may be accom-
this test method, the statistical bias, if any, between the
panied by other surface phenomena, such as loss of cover,
laboratory of the purchaser and the laboratory of the supplier
color change, or the development of fuzz. Since the overall
should be determined with comparison being based on testing
acceptability of a specific fabric is dependent on both the
specimens randomly drawn from one sample of material of the
characteristics of the pills and the other factors affecting the
type being evaluated. Competent statistical assistance is rec-
surface appearance, it is suggested that fabrics tested in the
ommended for the investigation of bias. A minimum of two
laboratory be evaluated subjectively with regard to their
parties should take a group of test specimens, which are as
acceptability and not rated solely on the number of pills
homogeneous as possible and which are from a lot of material
developed.Aseriesofstandards,basedongraduateddegreesof
surface change of the fabric type being tested, may be set up to
provide a basis for subjective ratings. The visual standards are
most advantageous when the laboratory test specimens corre-
latecloselyinappearancewithwornfabricsandshowasimilar
ratio of pills to fuzz. Counting the pills and weighing their
number with respect to their size and contrast, as a combined
measure of pilling resistance, is not recommended because of
the excessive time required for counting, sizing, and calcula-
tion.
5.6 The degree of fabric pilling is evaluated by comparing
the tested specimens with visual standards, which may be
actual fabrics or photographs of fabrics, showing a range of
pilling r
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