Test Method of Pilling

During the pilling test, there is different test method for different material and use of fabric. For example, both Martindale method and pilling box method are aim at the European market, the random tumbling pilling method is aim at the American market and the circular locus method is aim at the Chinese market.

Brief Introduction of Circular Locus Method

Circular locus method is widely used in China, which is applicable to woven fabrics, part of knitting fabric like sportswear, T-shirt, and underwear. The relevant standard is GB/T4802.1.

For filament fabric and short fiber, the specimen should be abraded with nylon brush at first, then it can be abraded with an abrasive cloth. For wool fabric and fabric easy to pilling, they can be abraded with abrasive cloth directly. After we put down the specimen and compare it with a standard sample in the pilling assessment viewer, we can evaluate its pilling grade.

This method is simple and efficient. But the result of heavy fabric could be affected by the test condition.

The Process of Circular Locus Test

1. Switch the power on, upturn the holder support so that the bottom of the holder is in top position, place a backing foam on the bottom surface of the specimen holder, and place a conditioned specimen on top of the backing foam with its obverse surface outside and secure them tightly by screwing the holder nut.

2. Place a wool felt(if necessary) on top of the pilling table, and place an appropriate Abradant gabardine on the wool felt, and tighten it.

3. Lower the sample holder with the specimen well contacted with the fuzzing brush or Pilling Table.

4. Setting the number of test cycles

5. Press START/STOP key, the machine starts test and stops automatically after the set number of test cycles finished.

6. Press START/STOP key to interrupt running if needed. Press RESET key, the machine starts again and counting from zero. If not to press RESET key and press START/STOP key directly, a counter will count from the current value of finished test cycles.

7. After the whole specimens tested, remove specimens, clean the machine with a soft cloth and cover it to prevent any dust or water.