The AATCC 128 wrinkle recovery test evaluates the fabric’s physical appearance after forcefully inducing wrinkles. The fabric specimen is placed under a predetermined load for 20 minutes in standard atmospheric conditions. After that, it is conditioned for 24 hours, and then its physical appearance is rated with reference to a 3-dimensional standard.
Fabric Wrinkle Recovery
Textile wrinkle recovery characteristics are essential for reshaping fabric when subjected to crease, fold, or compression.
Importance in Textile

This property gives the fabric an aesthetic, fresh, smooth look and facilitates care. The fabric’s wrinkle recovery property makes it easy for customers not to iron it repeatedly.
Due to customer demand, fabric shape recovery is essential in the textile market. It enhances fabric aesthetics, improves wear comfort, and reduces the number of ironing and washing cycles, which extends the fabric’s life.
Which Factors Affect Wrinkle Recovery?

Fabric smoothness restoration depends upon the following factors.
- Yarn type
- Yarn count
- Fabric Construction
- Fabric Blend Ratio
- Cloth Thickness
- Mechanical Stress applied
- Finishing Treatments
Some textile fibers, such as polyester and nylon, have an inherent wrinkle resilience property, making them better crease-resistant than cotton fabrics. That is why polyester is blended with cotton to form dress shirts, which increases the fabric’s overall wrinkle recovery.
Due to their molecular structure, synthetic fabrics are more wrinkle-retentionable. Treating cotton with wrinkle-resistant finishes can enhance its fabric deformation recovery property.
AATCC 128 Wrinkle Recovery Test Method
Sample Conditioning
The fabric sample that has to be tested should be conditioned in standard atmospheric conditions for a minimum of 8 hours before starting the test. After conditioning, we will take the specimen to perform the AATCC TM 128 test.
Specimen Preparation
According to the ASTM standard, we will cut the specimen beyond 1/10th of its width or avoid 150 mm from selvage. According to customer requirements, this test could be performed before and after washing.
If you have to perform the test after wash, then washing conditions should be according to customer demand. The test specimen is cut to 150 mm × 280 mm, 15 × 28 cm, or 6 × 11 inches.

The test is performed for directions, warp, and weft. We will take 03 samples diagonally in each direction, one set for warp and one set for weft.
The long side of the specimen should be in the longitudinal direction or marked accordingly. The specimen surface should be kept smooth and free from wrinkles during the specimen cutting and preparation.
Fabric Drape Performance Tester
The fabric drape performance tester or wrinkle recovery tester determines fabric deformation recovery. It has clamps to hold the fabric specimen tightly.

The load force is applied according to standard requirements. The tester’s load range is from 0.5 Kg to 3.5 Kg. To enter the test interface, turn on the instrument’s power switch and tap the digital screen.
Set Testing Parameters

Set the test parameters according to the standard. The flange’s speed is 200 mm per minute, and the test will be 20 minutes long. After setting the test parameters, click the “Return” button to return to the main interface.
When you click the reset button, the drape performance tester’s upper head moves upward. It stops moving after reaching a certain height from the lower head and becomes static.
Mounting the Specimen
Now install the sample. Before installing the specimen, remove the air pressure in the upper clamp. Place the specimen’s front side facing outward and wrap it around the instrument’s head.

The long side of the specimen should surround the whole testing area. The specimen is secured from the upper head using the clamp, and the nut is tightened. Fabric specimens should be held firmly to avoid any slippage during the testing.
The other side of the specimen on the lower head will also be clamped like the upper head and tightened through the clamp and nut.
The whole fabric specimen should be ensured, from top to bottom, that it is straight, smooth, flat, and wrinkle-free between the upper and lower heads.
Applying Load

As discussed above, the tester has weight loads of 0.5 Kilogram, 1.0 Kilogram, and 2.0 Kg. The instrument’s overall capacity is 3.5 Kilograms, so the load pressure must be applied according to the required standard. Place two standard weights at each testing station.
Start Test
When you press the “Start” button, the instrument’s upper head moves downward while simultaneously rotating. It keeps on moving until it meets the lower head and comes to a static position.

The head will remain in this position for 20 minutes while pressing the fabric to induce wrinkles on the specimen’s surface. If a customer gives the time limit for the test, then you have to follow the test according to instructions.
Test Completion

After 20 minutes, the tester’s upper head will automatically rise to its previous certain height. After completing the test, remove the weight and loosen the clamps. The fabric specimen should be removed gently without damaging the formed wrinkles.
Evaluate the Specimens
Before evaluation, the specimens have to be relaxed for 24 hours in length direction. They are then hung vertically in cool fluorescent lights. All extra lights should be turned off. The specimens are evaluated using a wrinkle recovery replica.

The distance between the observer and the board is kept at 40 + 1 inches, and the observer’s eye level should be focused in the center of the specimen and 60 + 1 inches from the floor.
The specimen is placed in the center, and replicas are hung on the left and right sides of the specimen. Now, we will rate the reading according to the replica.
Conclusion
The AATCC 128 wrinkle recovery test evaluates the fabric’s physical appearance after forcefully inducing wrinkles. The fabric specimen is placed under a predetermined load for 20 minutes in standard atmospheric conditions.
After that, it is conditioned for 24 hours, and then its physical appearance is rated with reference to a 3-dimensional standard. Fabric smoothness restoration depends upon yarn type, count, fabric construction, fabric blend ratio, cloth thickness, mechanical stress applied, and finishing treatments.
FAQs
What is the AATCC 128 Wrinkle Recovery test?
After forcefully inducing wrinkles, the AATCC 128 wrinkle recovery test evaluates the fabric’s physical appearance.
How to perform AATCC 128 Wrinkle Recovery?
In this test, the fabric specimen is placed under a predetermined load for 20 minutes in standard atmospheric conditions. It is then conditioned for 24 hours, and its physical appearance is rated according to a 3-dimensional standard.
Why is wrinkle prevention important in textiles?
This property gives the fabric an aesthetic, fresh, smooth look and facilitates care. The fabric’s wrinkle recovery property makes it easy for customers not to iron it repeatedly.
Which Factors Affect AATCC 128 Wrinkle Recovery?
Fabric smoothness restoration depends upon yarn type, count, fabric construction, fabric blend ratio, cloth thickness, mechanical stress applied, and finishing treatments.
What is the load range used in fabric performance drape tester?
The fabric performance drape tester has weight loads of 0.5 Kilogram, 1.0 Kilogram, and 2.0 Kg. The instrument’s overall capacity is 3.5 Kilograms, so the load pressure must be applied according to the required standard. Place two standard weights at each testing station.
What is the procedure for AATCC 128 Wrinkle Recovery testing?
The specimens are wrapped around the tester’s head with the front face outward. After the test is started, press the start button. The instrument’s upper head moves downward to the lower head, meets, and presses the fabric specimen for 20 minutes.
How AATCC 128 samples are rated?
After 20 minutes, the upper head is lifted, and the specimen is gently removed without removing the wrinkles. Then, the specimen’s physical appearance is measured with a wrinkle recovery replica and given a rating from 1 to 5.
Related Resources
AATCC 66/ISO 2313 CREASE RECOVERY TEST
This Video Operation Procedure is under GB/T 29257
Click to enquire about Operation Procedures for other tests (ISO, ASTM, AATCC, JIS, etc.)