What is the Fabric Flat Abrasion Test?

The Martindale test is a measure of the durability of a fabric. Upholstery fabrics are tested for suitability for a variety of applications - be it decorative seating, heavy traffic or commercial furniture. The test is also called the \"friction test\" and the abrasion resistance test.

How does the test work?

Testing the fabric is stretched and mounted on a testing machine with top and bottom plates. Small discs of worsted yarn or steel wire (abrasive) are constantly rubbed against the specimen in a Lissajous figure – floating, oscillating cycle. Wear and tear of the fabric, two threads broken or a noticeable change in appearance at the end of the test.

You can watch a video of a test machine in action by clicking here.

Charles Parsons conducts Martindale testing in-house at an independent accredited in-house laboratory in Sydney, Australia.

Above: Charles Parsons ISO lab test machine inSydney

How do I read Martindale test results?

Test results give a score of 1000 for friction or the higher the number of cycles the better for heavier fabric applications. Substances are classified according to their test results.

Charles Parsons classification for upholstery use is as follows:

Decorative (less than 10,000 mills)

Recommended for decorative purposes (i.e. cushions and accents). Generally not recommended.

Light household (10000 15000 grinding)

It is recommended to use on furniture only occasionally. This is due to the use of delicate threads in the composition of the fabric, or the delicate structure of the fabric itself. Some upholstery fabrics may not be suitable for use in heavy duty areas or solid upholstery fabrics, as cleaning is required \"dry clean only\" other fabrics are unlikely to be able to be removed and sent to dry cleaningbrought in order. If in doubt, consult the relevant samples.

General household (15,000 to 25,000 mill)

Recommended for use on main furniture in the home that can be used every day. However, if the use is very high, we recommend choosing a fabric that is suitable for intensive use. Household fabrics are generally not recommended for sports furniture (ie chaise longues) or furniture with fixed seats or backs that put a lot of stress on the fabric.

Heavy duty (25,000-30,000 mills)

Suitable for intensive residential use, i.e. the main furniture used in the home, at a high level for daily use. Also suitable for sports furniture (i.e. lounge chairs) and fixed chairs or furniture. Also suitable for light commercial applications.

Commercial Grade (30000 Plus)

Suitable for heavy commercial and heavy domestic use. Suitable for all commercial furniture applicationsgene and environments.

My fabric has a very high friction test result! Is it invincible?

There may be competition in the textile industry for higher abrasion test results, but in the real world any result above 50,000 becomes meaningless in practical applications with little noticeable impact.

A random Machine test is wear and tear only. There are many other factors that can affect the wear and tear of furniture, including the use of washed fabrics, UV exposure, embedded dirt, surface treatments such as bottom protection, or flame retardant treated furniture. A high friction number does not mean that the fabric is immune to cat claws!

What is a Valspar test? better?

A Valspar test is another type of abrasion test that involves rubbing a piece of cotton cloth or screen in a linear back and forth motion – a back and forth motion known as a \"double rub\" of the surface of the sample. . Atsts against the latitude and longitude of the sample.

The Valspar method is very different from the Martindale test, so you cannot compare the results of one test with another. The Valspar test is mainly used in North America, while the Martin test is an international standard recognized by the Woolmark and the International Cotton Council. The Martindale test is considered by many experts to be a more realistic measure of how a fabric will perform.

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