Martindaleruwheid

Martindaleruwheid is a Dutch term used to describe the roughness of a surface as observed or inferred from the Martindale abrasion test. It is most commonly applied to textiles and coatings where tactile feel and wear resistance are important. The Martindale method uses a rotating abrading head against a specimen under a defined load for a specified number of cycles; after testing, the surface may show wear, pilling, or texture changes that are interpreted as roughness. Practitioners may express martindaleruwheid as a roughness class or as descriptive text, sometimes supplemented by profilometric measurements depending on the standard or end-use.

In practice, the concept is particularly relevant for upholstery fabrics, automotive interiors, and other end-use textiles where a balance between softness, durability, and appearance must be maintained. The measurement is standardized in international guidelines, including ISO 12947 and ASTM D4966, which specify the procedure, loads, speeds, and cycle counts. Martindaleruwheid reflects not only the inherent texture of the material but also wear behavior under abrasion, making it a functional proxy for perceived roughness.

Limitations include variability due to fiber type, weave, finish, humidity, and apparatus differences; results are most meaningful when used to compare materials tested under identical conditions. See also Martindale abrasion test, surface roughness, pilling.