Wear resistance testing: Stunning durability secrets revealed

Holes in the elbows, thin pant legs? Wear resistance determines the lifespan of garments
Early in the morning, as Mr. Zhang was about to head out for work, he noticed that the yarn on the elbow and collar of his favorite shirt had clearly broken, even small holes. This daily issue that troubles many people is actually closely related to the abrasion resistance of textiles. Whether it’s a thick winter coat or everyday professional attire, wear resistance is a key indicator that determines the lifespan of a garment.

Understand the abrasion resistance of textiles

Abrasion resistance refers to the textile’s ability to withstand friction damage. It directly affects the durability of clothing, especially on areas prone to friction such as cuffs, collars, elbows, and knees. High-quality abrasion resistance not only extends the lifespan of the garments but also maintains their aesthetic appeal.

Standard interpretation

According to the national standard GB/T21196.2-2007 “Determination of Textile Martindale Method Fabric Abrasion Resistance Part 2: Specimen Damage Test,” wear resistance is mainly tested using the Martindale Method:
Friction Count: Records the number of frictions when the fabric experiences yarn breakage, holes, or reaches the specified degree of wear

Table 1: Wear test intervals

Spaced steps	Evaluate the intervala/times
Every 100 cycles Reach 1,000 timesb	100-200-300-400-500-600-700-800-900-1000
Every 1000 cycles Reached 6,000 times	1000-2000-3000-4000-5000-6000
Every 2,000 cycles From 6,001 to 20,000 times	8000-10000-12000-14000-16000-18000-20000
Every 5,000 cycles From 20,001 to 50,000 times	25000-30000-35000-40000-45000-50000
Every 10,000 cycles Over 50,001 times	60000-… (Every 10,000 times increased)

a. With the consent of relevant parties, other interval steps may be adopted and must be reported. The spacing steps given in this table widen as wear resistance increases. According to the agreements of the relevant parties, reduced interval steps may be used to reach the finish line.
b. For coated fabrics using water-based sandpaper as the abrasive, the interval step is 100 to 1000 cycles; for other fabrics, testing can be started directly from the 1000 interval.

Table 2 Specimen damage

Fabric type	Point of Damage (Endpoint)a	Point of Damage (Endpoint)a
	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 is completely broken	Not applicable
Cut fleece fabrics, fabrics made from chenille yarn, and terry fabrics	A single individual yarn is completely broken (knitwear) Two independent yarns are completely broken (woven fabric)	Completely worn
Brushed fleece fabric	A single individual yarn is completely broken (knitwear) Two independent yarns are completely broken (woven fabric)	Not applicable
Flocked fabrics	Not applicable	Completely worn
Nonwoven fabric	Fabric with holes	Fabric with holes
Coated fabric	Coating damage	Coating damage

a. With the consent of relevant parties, the condition may be used instead of the specimen damage point and must be reported.
The diameter of hole b should be at least 2.5mm, with holes appearing on the surface layer causing wear, and different appearances of layers or backing fabrics can be seen from the sample (5.2). The coating is partially damaged until the base cloth is exposed or the flake-like coating peels off. The exposed base fabric area should not be less than 4.9mm², and different appearances of layers or backing fabrics can be observed through the sample (5.2). The area where the sheet coating has shed exceeds three-quarters of the exposed area.

Key factors affecting wear resistance

Types of fibers: Synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester generally have better abrasion resistance than natural fibers; Wool fibers, due to their unique scale structure, also have excellent wear resistance.
Yarn structure: Strands are more wear-resistant than single yarns, and high-twist yarns are more durable than low-twist yarns.
Post-finishing process: Specific resin finishes can significantly enhance the fabric’s abrasion resistance.

Detailed explanation of professional testing procedures

Sample preparation: Balance the sample and abrasives in a standard temperature and humidity environment for 24 hours to ensure the accuracy of the test results.

Testing process: Using a Martindale wear tester, multidirectional friction was performed along Li Sharu’s motion trajectory to simulate actual wear friction.

Result evaluation: Regularly check the condition of the sample, record the number of times of friction when damage occurs, and assess the degree of appearance change as needed.

Data analysis: Test at least 3 samples per sample, averaging them to ensure data reliability.

How to choose more durable clothing

Pay attention to fabric composition: Choose garments with high synthetic fiber content such as polyester and nylon, or wool blends
Check fabric density: Feel the thickness and density of the fabric by touch; generally, the higher the density, the more durable the fabric
Check the process details: Focus on reinforcing areas prone to wear such as cuffs and trouser hems
Understand brand reputation: Choose brands that emphasize quality, as these brands often have higher requirements for wear resistance