Information on the most widely used ASTM standards within the materials testing industry
Model: UT4073, EN 388
Martindale Abrasion Tester (often called a Martindale machine or pilling/abrasion tester) is a universal, precision laboratory instrument used to assess the abrasion resistance and pilling propensity of fabrics, leather, upholstery, and other materials. It simulates real-world wear and friction in a controlled, accelerated manner to predict a material's durability and appearance retention over time. It is suitable for testing the abrasion resistance and pilling tendency of knitted fabrics, woolen fabrics, artificial leather, and synthetic leather under pressure.
General Introduction
What is the Martindale Abrasion Tester?
Martindale Abrasion Tester (often called a Martindale machine or pilling/abrasion tester) is a universal, precision laboratory instrument used to assess the abrasion resistance and pilling propensity of fabrics, leather, upholstery, and other materials. It simulates real-world wear and friction in a controlled, accelerated manner to predict a material's durability and appearance retention over time. It is suitable for testing the abrasion resistance and pilling tendency of knitted fabrics, woolen fabrics, artificial leather, and synthetic leather under pressure.
It is named after the British scientist who helped pioneer the test method and is arguably the most widely recognized and used equipment for this purpose globally, with standards set by ISO, ASTM, AATCC, and others.
Instrument Principle:
Under a specified pressure, a circular specimen is rubbed against the same fabric or woolen abrasive fabric following a Lissajous trajectory. The specimen can freely rotate around a central axis perpendicular to the specimen plane. After a specified friction stage, the degree of fuzzing and/or pilling of the specimen is evaluated using visual assessment.
Main features
This Abrasion Tester is designed by integrating the advantages of similar domestic and international devices.
It has an elegant appearance and uses a touch display screen with an easy-to-understand interface. The operation is simple, intuitive, and convenient, allowing settings to be adjusted easily.
It can perform tests simultaneously at four positions, improving testing efficiency.
The instrument also offers two types of Lissajous motion trajectories (24mm × 24mm, 60.5mm × 60.5mm) and various accessories, making it adaptable to multiple testing standards.
EN 388 Protective Gloves Against Mechanical Risks
ISO 12945-2 Textiles - Determination of fabric propensity to surface fuzzing and to pilling - Part 2: Modified Martindale method;
ISO 12947-1 Textiles - Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method - Part 1: Martindale abrasion testing apparatus;
ASTM D4966 Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Martindale Abrasion Tester Method);
ASTM D4970 Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester;
ISO 17704 Footwear - Test methods for uppers, linings and insocks-Abrasion resistance;
EN 13770 Textiles - Determination of the abrasion resistance of knitted footwear garments
EN 16094 Laminate floor coverings. Test method for the determination of micro-scratch resistance.
SATRA TM31: Abrasion resistance - Martindale method
The tester replicates the natural wear caused by rubbing against another surface (e.g., clothing on body parts, upholstery from sitting). It does this through a specific motion:
Motion: The sample is rubbed against an abradant (standard abrasive fabric or the material itself) in a constant, Lissajous figure pattern. This pattern ensures the abrasion is applied evenly in all directions, mimicking actual use.
Pressure: A known, standardized weight is applied to the sample holder, ensuring consistent pressure during testing.
Assessment: The test is stopped at predetermined intervals (cycles) to inspect the sample for:
Abrasion Resistance: The point of fabric rupture (formation of a hole) or noticeable wear (e.g., loss of pile, color change).
Pilling Resistance: The formation of small fiber balls ("pills") on the surface. The specimen is compared to a set of visual standards (e.g., 1-5 scale, where 5 is no pilling, 1 is severe pilling).
Textile & Apparel: Testing the durability of jeans, workwear, seatbelts, and shirt fabrics.
Upholstery & Furniture: Assessing fabric durability for sofas, chairs, and automotive interiors (seats, headliners).
Flooring: Evaluating the wear resistance of carpets and rugs.
Leather & Synthetic Leather: Testing for coating adhesion and surface wear.
Quality Control & R&D: Used by manufacturers, retailers, and testing laboratories to specify durability requirements, compare materials, and ensure products meet customer expectations.
A circular specimen is cut and mounted in the sample holder.
A standard abrasive fabric (e.g., wool felt) is placed on the abrasion table.
The appropriate weight is selected based on the fabric's end-use (e.g., apparel, upholstery).
The test is started. The machine rubs the sample against the abradant in the Lissajous pattern.
At fixed intervals, the machine is stopped, and the sample is inspected for breakage or wear.
The test continues until a failure endpoint is reached (e.g., two threads break) or a pre-agreed number of cycles are completed.
The number of cycles to failure is reported as the measure of abrasion resistance.
Main Technical Specification
| Number of Stations | 4 (6, 9 optional) |
| Counting Range | 0–999,999 times |
| Maximum Travel Range | Horizontal: 60±0.5mm; Vertical: 24±0.5mm |
| Total Effective Mass for Friction Load | a) (795±7)g (Nominal Pressure 12kPa): Suitable for workwear, upholstery fabrics, bedding linens, industrial fabrics (optional); b) (595±7)g (Nominal Pressure 9kPa): Suitable for apparel and household textiles (excluding upholstery fabrics and bedding linens); also suitable for non-apparel coated fabrics; c) (198±2)g (Nominal Pressure 3kPa): Suitable for coated fabrics for apparel (optional); |
| Effective Friction Diameter of Sample Fixture | Type A: Φ28.65±0.05mm Type B: Φ90mm (optional) |
| Relative Movement Speed Between Clamp and Abrasion Table | 47.5±2.5r/min (speed adjustable) |
| Sample Diameter | 38mm |
| Dimensions | 885×600×410mm |
| Power Supply | AC 220V 50Hz 500W |
| Weight | 150kg |
Main accessories (Standard delivery with machine)
1. 1 set Tester frame
2. 1 set of Type A Fixtures (4 pcs), optional Type B Fixtures
3. 1 set of Weights (4 pcs), optionally available in two other types
4. 10 pieces of Abrasive Sandpaper
5. 1 Product Manual
6. 1 Product Certificate of Conformity
7. 1 Product Warranty Card
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