Martindale test assesses a fabric’s resistance to abrasion. The fabric sample is placed in the Martindale machine and tested for abrasion. The fabric sample is assessed at certain intervals to identify yarn breakages and changes in appearance (e.g., loss of pile or pilling). The test is considered complete when the fabric sample reaches a specified number of broken threads or when the appearance of the fabric has significantly changed.

The pilling test assesses a fabric’s resistance to pilling. The fabric sample is placed in the Martindale machine and tested for pilling. Compared to the Martindale test, the machine now rotates in a more compact motion, applying greater pressure over a larger surface area.At intervals of 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 rubs the pilling is observed and assessed using a pilling scale (1 to 5). 5000 rubs is considered the final result of the test.

The seam slippage test measures the movement of the fabric at the seam (mainly for upholstery fabrics).

The fabric samples are sewn together in both  the warp and  weft directions. The fabric is pulled from both sides to 180N and then released to 5N. The opening of the seam where the two fabrics are sewn is measured.

This test measures the amount of force needed to tear the fabric (mainly for upholstery fabrics).A small slit is manually cut in the center of the fabric. The fabric is then clamped in the machine at both ends. The fabric is then pulled from both ends until it begins to tear. At this point, the force required to tear it is measured.

The color fastness to rubbing test (also known as the ‘Crock’ test) measures the amount of color that a fabric releases when rubbed (mainly for upholstery fabrics).A fabric sample is placed in the crock test machine. The fabric sample is rubbed with a wet and dry cotton cloth. The amount of color that stains the cotton cloth is evaluated using the grey scale (grade 1 to 5).

Color Fastness to Light (CFL) measures the fading of  fabric color when exposed to light.A fabric sample is placed in the testing chamber along with a standard blue scale reference fabric. This blue scale wool fabric consists of 8 dark to light blue shades, is the standard measurement tool used to record the fading of a fabric. The fabric sample and the blue scale reference sample are compared with each other and rated on a scale from 1 to 8. The higher the rating, the better the fabric will perform in daylight.

The Color fastness to water test measures the amount of color that a fabric loses when submerged in water.

A fabric sample is sewn together with a piece of standard multi-fiber fabric. The material is first soaked in water and then compressed between two plates. The color change of the fabric sample is measured using the grey scale (grade 1-5). The multi-fiber fabric is also evaluated and rated on the grey scale which determines the level of staining on different fibers.

The color fastness to washing test measures the fabric’s resistance to fading during washing.

A fabric sample is sewn together with a piece of standard multi-fiber fabric. The fabric is placed in water mixed with standard washing detergent. Small steel balls are added to simulate the mechanical action of a washing machine. The color change of the fabric sample is measured using the grey scale (grade 1-5). The multi-fiber fabric is also evaluated and rated on the grey scale which determines the level of staining on different fibers.