pillingtests

Pilling tests are standardized procedures used to evaluate a textile’s tendency to form pills on its surface when subjected to wear, friction, and laundering. Pills are small fiber bundles that protrude from the fabric and can affect appearance, texture, and comfort. These tests are used in quality control, product development, and comparative fabric evaluation.

Common methods include abrasion-based tests such as the Martindale abrasion tester, which rubs fabric samples against an abrasive counterface under a defined load for a specified number of cycles, and the pilling box method, where samples are tumbled with other materials to promote friction. After testing, the fabric surface is inspected and rated for pilling severity using a standardized scale, often ranging from 1 to 5, where lower scores indicate more noticeable pilling and higher scores indicate minimal pilling. Some tests also incorporate laundering cycles to simulate real-world wear.

Standards for pilling testing are published by international and regional bodies, including ISO, ASTM, and AATCC. Methods emphasize repeatability and objectivity, with defined sample size, load, cycles, and evaluation criteria. Results are used to compare fabrics by fiber content (such as cotton, polyester, nylon), yarn construction, weave or knit structure, and finishing treatments.

Limitations exist: pilling is influenced by multiple interacting factors, and lab tests may not fully predict consumer experience. Therefore, pilling tests are typically one component of a broader fabric performance assessment and are complemented by other metrics and field testing.