Martindale Method Changes: What GB/T 21196.2-2025 Means for You

Product standard GB/T 21196.2-2025 “Textiles—Determination of the abrasion resistance of Martindale Method fabrics—Part 2: Determination of specimen damage” will take effect on March 1, 2027, replacing the old GB/T 21196.2-2007 “Textiles—Determination of the abrasion resistance of Martindale process fabrics—Part 2: Determination of specimen damage.”

Introduction to the standard and scope of application

Purpose of the standard

A method is specified to use the Martindale method, with specimen damage as the endpoint to determine fabric abrasion resistance.

Scope of application

● Suitable for all types of textile fabrics.

● Clearly includes nonwoven fabrics and coated fabrics (emphasis in the new edition).

● Not suitable for fabrics with short wear and wear life.

Key changes

● Replaces GB/T 21196.2-2007.

● Modified to adopt ISO 12947-2:2016.

● Introduced targeted measures Coated fabric specific requirements.

Core concepts and definitions have changed

Key points of the new definition

When the specimen reaches the failure point, it meets the specific type Yarn breaks Or Exposed wear area At that time, it was determined that the specimen was damaged.

Differences from the old version

● The old version defined it more broadly, while the new version provides more specific endpoints for damage to different fabric types.

● Added a pair Coated fabrics and nonwoven fabrics and other damage phenomena.

● Introduced the concept of “worn off area” (fully worn/partially worn).

Importance

Specimen damage is a key criterion for determining whether the test has ended, directly affecting the final number of wear tests.

Major change: adjustment of test load parameters

The new standard adjusts and clarifies friction load parameters and their applicable scope, Especially for coated fabrics 。

Frictional load (total effective mass)	Nominal pressure	Scope of Application (GB/T 21196.2-2025)	Main Changes (Compared to 2007 Version)
(795 Officer 7) g	12 kPa	Workwear, furniture fabrics, bedding, industrial fabrics, and non-clothing coated fabrics	Added non-coated fabrics
(595+ 7)g	9kPa	Clothing and home textiles (excluding furniture fabrics and bedding) and clothing-type coated fabrics	Added coated fabrics for clothing
(198 + 2)g	3 kPa	Only suitable for sandpaper with abrasives as water coated fabric	The scope of application is clearly limited to coated fabrics made from water-based sandpaper abrasives (the older version was not so subdivided).

Major change: testing requirements for coated fabrics

New standards Regulations for coated fabrics have been significantly increased , making the testing methods more targeted:

● Clear scope of application: Officially included in the standard testing scope.

● Standard Abrasive Selection:

● Recommended for selection Wool abrasives Or P800 water-based sandpaper As a standard abrasive.

● The type of abrasive used must be indicated in the test report.

● Breakdown of test loads:

● Non-coated fabric: (795 ± 7) g

● Coated fabric for clothing: (595 ± 7) g

● When using water-based sandpaper abrasive: (198 ± 2) g

● Specific Damage Endpoints: It specifies the criteria for determining damage to coated fabrics.

▲ This is an important supplement to the new standard, making abrasion resistance testing for coated fabrics more standardized.

Major change: Endpoint determination of specimen damage

New standards It specifies in detail the end points for damage to different types of fabrics , a more objective judgment:

Fabric type	Yarn breaking conditions	Wear area conditions
Woven fabric (no nap)	Two independent yarns are completely broken	Not applicable
Knitted fabric (no fleece)	A single individual yarn/coil is completely broken	Not applicable
Fabrics made from cut fleece fabrics / chenille yarns / terry fabrics	One (knitted) or two (woven) individual yarns are completely broken	Completely worn
Brushed fleece fabric	One (knitted) or two (woven) individual yarns are completely broken	Not applicable
Flocked fabrics	Not applicable	Completely worn
Nonwoven fabric	Fabric holes (diameter ≥2.5mm or different layers/base fabric observed on the sample)	Fabric holes (diameter ≥2.5mm or different layers/base fabric observed on the sample)
Coated fabric	Coating damage (exposed base fabric area ≥4.9mm² or flake detachment >3/4 area)	Coating damage (exposed base fabric area ≥4.9mm² or flake detachment >3/4 area)

This is one of the core differences between the old and new versions, so be sure to follow the new standards.

Other important changes: sampling and preparation

Sampling location:

● When sampling across the full width, the distance should be at least from the fabric edge 150 mm (Old version: 100 mm).

● Added a pair Knitted fabrics, patterned/textured fabrics Specific guiding principles for sampling.

● Laboratory samples: Laboratory samples have been added Selection requirements 。

● Auxiliary materials:

● Increased sample and auxiliary material sizes Upper limit 。

● Clarified The lifespan of each side of the felt (No more than 500,000 times).

● Special fabrics:

● The endpoint descriptions for pile/cut fabrics have been revised (Shown in Table 2).

● Increased Elastic fabric Sample preparation methods.

● Tools: Increased “Sample” (perforated transparent panel) Used to observe the details of the damage.

Other important changes: Trials and Reporting

Test environment: It has increased Standard atmospheric conditions are optional , but this must be noted in the report.

● Examination intervals: The interval schedule for abrasion tests has been revised , better suited to fabrics of different abrasion resistance grades.

● The results show:

● Results are taken from each sample Minimum test value 。

● Added ” Abrasion resistance≥ 100,000 cycles (when the test stops at this number).

● Test Report: Added content that required reporting , for example:

● Types of abrasives used for coated fabrics.

● Atmospheric conditions used for testing.

● Fabric type and corresponding endpoint type.

● Major changes in appearance/structure and the number of friction occurrences when they occur.

● Regarding the results of color-change evaluation (as conducted).

Summary of the main differences between the old and new standards

Comparison items	GB/T 21196.2-2007 (Japan Edition)	GB/T 21196.2-2025 (New Edition)
Scope of application	No explicit emphasis on coated fabrics	Clearly includes coated fabrics and nonwoven fabrics
Test load	Only coated fabrics (3kPa)	Applicable loads for sub-coated fabrics (12kPa/9kPa/3kPa)
Coated fabric abrasives	No.600 water-based sandpaper	Wool abrasive or P800 water sandpaper is recommended
Definition of damage	Relative vagueness	Detailed specifications by fabric type (yarn breakage, wear area, etc.)
Sampling from the fabric edge	100mm	≥150mm (full width)
Felt lifespan	There are no clear regulations	Each side ≤ 500,000 times
The results stated	The statement of ≥ 100,000 times is not clearly stated	Added the phrase “≥100,000 times.”
Test report	The content is relatively limited	Details such as atmosphere, abrasives, and end types have been added

Summary and implementation recommendations

Core changes

● Expanded and refined the testing requirements for coated fabrics.

● It provides more specific and objective endpoints for determining damage to various types of fabrics.

● Updated and improved test details such as sampling, loading, and reporting.

Important reminder

● Relevant testing agencies, manufacturers, and traders should Learn and master the new standard content in advance , update test procedures and equipment configurations (if needed).

● Pay attention to coordinated application with other parts of the GB/T 21196 series.