Martindale test is one of the methods to evaluate the score of pilling on the textile material. A specimen is tested by a Martindale pilling tester in a controlled environment & evaluates the pilling score of the tested specimen. In this article, you will learn how to evaluate the pilling Martindale score, what the causes of poor Martindale scores are, and how to improve Martindale’s pilling score.
What Is Pilling And Why Pilling Test Is Important In The Textile Industry?
The formation of fuzzy balls on the surface if textile material is called pilling. The reason for the formation of these fuzzy balls is fraction and abrasion. Pilling decreases the durability and the overall appearance and performance of textile material, so it is very important to perform a pilling test to find the lifetime of your textile material and provide the best material to your customer; if you find a poor pilling score during your lab pilling testing, you must chemically treat your textile material to improve its appearance and increase its life.
Pilling On The Surface Of Fabric
Martindale pilling test: ASTM D4970
Preparation of testing specimen
1) Wash and dry your testing material before cutting the testing specimen.
2) Cut a number of required testing specimens in the circular form of 140 mm in diameter and 38mm in diameter with the help of provided cutters.
3) Take all the testing specimens from the different points of the testing lot.
Conditioning parameters and testing procedure
1) Before testing, the specimen should be conditioned in a controlled conditioning room at 21±1 degrees centigrade and 65±2 relative humidity.
2) Take 140 mm diameter of standard felt, including 1 testing specimen.
3) Take the 38-mm-diameter disk with 3-mm polyurethane foam and a 38-mm-diameter testing specimen.
4) Place a pressure of approximately 3kPa ( 0.44 psi ) on the spindle.
5) Set the required cycle to start the Martindale tester and check your specimen after each 100 cycles.
Evaluation of score
Rate your testing specimen in a dark room under an instructed light source and use a photographic rating standard. Your score will define the conditioning of pilling as below.
5- no pilling
4- slight pilling
3- moderate pilling
2- severe pilling
1-Very severe pilling
Importance of pilling test in textile
The pilling test is very important for evaluating the quality of textile material. The visual appearance of fuzzy balls on the surface of the fabric affects the appearance, texture, and performance of the textile finish materials. If you conduct a Martindale test on textile material, you will be completely assured about the quality of your textile material, and you can improve the quality of textile material, too.
Good Martindale Score
You should always set the number of cycles per your requirements or customer protocols. When you run a Martindale tester, having a tested specimen against the required scale and testing specimen, resist the change, and there are no fuzzy balls or pilling on the surface of the tested textile material; this phenomenon is called a good Martindale score. The number of cycles usually depends on the nature of the textile materials. For example, if your textile material is for light domestic use material, you should decide on 10000 cycles, 20000 to 25000 cycles for general domestic use textile material and a score of 30000 cycles are suitable for heavy-duty commercial use textile material.
Causes Of Poor Martindale Score Or Cause Of Pilling On Textile Material
Many factors contribute to decreasing Martindale score and the formation of pill or fuzzy balls on the surface of textile material.
- Type of fibre: Yarn is made of short and long staple fibres. Usually, fibres shorter than the requirement are not fully twisted during the spinning portion, and natural fibre yarns such as cotton and wool are more subjected to filling than synthetic fibres such as acrylic and polyester, which are made from long staple fibres.
- Formation of yarn: The type of twist during the spinning process also affects pilling. A lower twist than the ideal number of twists in yarn causes more pilling than a higher-than-required twist yarn. Soft twist and zero twist yarn, usually used in the towel industry, have a high proportion of short fibres that are more subject to pilling.
- Construction of textile material: Loose weaving and loose knitting also increase the chances of pilling in the finished product because the fibres are easily hanging from the surface of the textile material, which decreases the score of pilling Loose. So you should keep the course, and vales or ends and picks are per requirements in the knitting or weaving process to improve the pilling score
- Wear and abrasion: Frequent abrasion and wearing also increase the chances of pilling. For example, rubbing against other surfaces during washing can cause the fibre to break down and form fuzzy balls on the surface of the textile material. High-fraction areas such as collars, cuffs, and underarms in the garment industry are more prone to pilling.
How To Improve Martindale Score or Pilling Resistance?
There are many methods that can be taken to improve the pilling score or pilling resistance. Few of them are below.
- Use the best quality of fibres: Always choose the best quality, longer staple fibre, which will reduce the chances of pilling. Long staple fibres are usually not breaking and don’t form pills.
- Improve yarn structure: Always use higher-twist yarn if the customer does not require it. This will help you more tightly bind the fibres together and reduce the chances of pilling. Higher-twisted yarns are more resistant to abrasion and wear than low-twist or zero-twist yarn.
- Improve finishing process: During wet processing pretreatment, singeing can help burn out hanged, hairy, or loose fibre from the surface of textile material, reducing the chances of pilling. During wet processing finishing, applying an anti-pilling agent or biowash (enzyme wash) also improves the pilling resistance, which improves the pilling score.
- Care during processing: Always follow proper care and instructions on the care label, such as washing parameters. Using detergent as advised on the care label can help reduce pilling. Always use fabric softener during home or commercial laundering. You must follow all instructions as instructed by the manufacturer.
Pilling Results Before and After ImprovingConclusion
Martindale testing method is used to evaluate the results of pilling on different textile products. There are many reasons for pilling in textile material, including the type of fibre, formation of yarn, structure or construction of textile material, and frequent wear and abrasion. If you wear a garment frequently, you will have to wash the garment again and again, which will cause a poor overall appearance of the garment. If you want to improve the overall appearance of textile material, you should use the best quality yarn, improve yarn structure, improve the finishing process and take care during physical & chemical processes. A pilling-proof textile material will improve the quality of your product, and your customers will be satisfied with your material.
FAQs:
What is pilling?
The formation of fuzzy or fluffy balls on the surface of textile material is called pilling.
What causes pilling?
There are many reasons for pilling, including the type of fibre, the formation of yarn during the spinning process, the construction of textile material, and frequent wear. When you wear a garment frequently, it faces abrasion, which causes pilling.
How to improve Martindale score?
Using the best quality yarn, improving yarn structure, improving the finishing process, and taking care during processing improves the pilling issues.
What is Martindale?
Martindale is a testing machine by which you can perform pilling and abrasion tests.
What is a good Martindale score?
Good Martindale score depends on the nature and use of the textile material. 15000-25000 is a good score for general domestic use material.
How many methods of pilling testing are there?
Three methods are usually used in textile industries: the Martindale method, the ICI pilling box method, and the random tumble pilling method.
Related Resources
Ultimate Guide to Martindale Test
A Complete Guide to ASTM D4970 ISO 12945 Martindale Pilling Test Method
Martindale Troubleshooting Guide-5 Common Problems and How to Fix Them