Abrasion is the surface wear caused by rubbing with another material. Pilling is the formation of small balls of entangled fibres on the surface of the fabric. Consumers would expect textiles and other products to withstand a certain amount of deterioration. Both abrasion and pilling tests on the Martindale are conducted against materials in the shape of a lissajous pattern.

James Heal were involved with the development of the original Martindale with Dr Martindale and WIRA over 60 years ago. Since the first Martindale in 1950s, the current generation is adapted to test a wide range of applications, is the instrument of choice for many of the world’s leading laboratories and global retailers with the sale of thousands of instruments worldwide.

– Socks: Abrasion resistance of socks, to see how quickly holes are formed on three different pressure points on a sock

– Leather: Abrasion resistance of leather – not until a hole is formed, but until the surface layer of leather is broken/cracked.

– Leather – Soiling: The transfer of soil or dye from fabric onto a leather specimen

– Carpets: The change of appearance in carpet as a result of abrasion. This test is not taken to an end point where holes appear, but instead when the carpet sample presents an undesirable appearance.

– Edge: The abrasion of edges, such as collars, cuffs and those found on bags.