ISO 12947-2: Global Standard for Fabric Abrasion Resistance

In international textile trade, when buyers from Europe, Australia, or Asia ask, “How many abrasion cycles does this fabric have?” they are almost strictly referring to the test results of ISO 12947-2.

As the core part of the ISO 12947 series, it defines the number of friction cycles a fabric withstands using the Martindale instrument until “Specimen Breakdown” occurs. For furniture fabric exporters, this is an essential “health check.” Generally, residential fabrics need to reach 15,000 – 25,000 cycles, while commercial contract fabrics need to challenge 30,000 or even 50,000+ cycles.

1. ISO 12947-2 Standard Background and Family Members

ISO 12947 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to unify global textile abrasion test methods. The series actually contains four parts, and understanding them helps you read complete test reports:

• Part 1: Apparatus requirements (Specifies hardware parameters for the Martindale instrument).
• Part 2: Determination of specimen breakdown. This is the core part, the “cycle count” we commonly refer to. In commercial contracts, 90% of cases only need to cite ISO 12947-2.
• Part 3: Determination of mass loss (Measures how many grams are worn away, less commonly used).
• Part 4: Assessment of appearance change (Measures discoloration or fuzzing, used as an auxiliary reference).

2. ISO 12947-2 Test Principle and Trajectory

ISO 12947-2 also utilizes the Lissajous Figure trajectory for multi-directional friction. The principle involves clamping a circular specimen onto a holder and rubbing it against a standard wool abradant mounted on a table under specified pressure.

The trajectory shifts from a circle to a gradually widening ellipse, then back to a straight line, repeating the cycle. This ensures that both warp and weft yarns receive uniform wear, avoiding the bias of unidirectional friction.

💡 Related Reading: For a deeper analysis of the Martindale test principle, please click: Martindale Abrasion Test Explained: Principle, Applications & Global Standards.

3. ISO 12947-2 Scope of Application

This standard is a true “all-rounder,” applicable to almost all types of textile fabrics:

• Woven Fabrics: Various sofa fabrics, curtains, worsted apparel fabrics.
• Knitted Fabrics: Sportswear, mattress ticking, stretch knits.
• Nonwovens: Certain industrial fabrics or synthetic leather substrates.

Note: For pile fabrics, if the pile is worn off but the base fabric is not broken, it is usually also considered the test end point.

4. ISO 12947-2 Abrasion Resistance Grading System

ISO 12947-2 provides only test data (cycles) and does not prescribe a “pass” line. Specific grading is usually based on application standards like BS 2543 or EN 14465 (EU Furniture Standard):

Performance Level	Recommended Cycles (ISO 12947-2)	Typical Application Scenarios
Decorative	< 10,000 Cycles	Throw pillows, display chairs only.
Light Use	10,000 – 15,000 Cycles	Bedroom furniture, occasional use chairs.
General Domestic	15,000 – 25,000 Cycles	Living room sofas (Daily use).
Severe Domestic	25,000 – 30,000 Cycles	High-frequency home environments with children and pets.
Contract	30,000 – 40,000 Cycles	Offices, hotel guest rooms.
Severe Contract	≥ 50,000 Cycles	Airports, hospitals, lobbies, transport seating.

5. ISO 12947-2 Test Method and Evaluation Criteria

The testing process of ISO 12947-2 is known for its rigor. Testers need to strictly execute the following steps and accurately capture the moment of fabric “breakdown.”

Step 1: Abradant and Pressure Preparation

Abradant: Use Standard Wool Abradant to ensure global consistency.

Pressure Selection (Crucial):

9 kPa (595g): Used for apparel fabrics and home textiles.

12 kPa (795g): Dedicated to Upholstery Fabrics. Sofa fabric testing must use 12 kPa, otherwise, the data is artificially high and invalid.

Step 2: Execution and Inspection

After the machine starts, the frequency of stoppage for inspection is dynamically adjusted as cycles increase. For example, every 1,000 cycles before 6,000; every 5,000 cycles after 50,000. This is to precisely capture the moment of breakage.

Step 3: Breakdown Point Determination

The test is terminated when the fabric shows “breakdown” matching the following definitions, and the cycles are recorded:

• Woven Fabrics: 2 separate yarns are completely broken.
• Knitted Fabrics: 1 hole appears.
• Pile Fabrics: The pile layer is completely worn off to expose the base fabric (even if the base is not broken), at which point aesthetic value is lost, and the test is terminated.

6. Key Comparison: ISO 12947-2 vs. ASTM D4966

Although both use the Martindale instrument, their identities differ in global trade:

Feature	ISO 12947-2	ASTM D4966
Identity	International Standard. The universal global language.	American Standard. The version under the US ASTM system.
Associated Standards	Equivalent to China’s GB/T 21196.2; linked with EU EN 14465.	Independent of the US system, often used as a supplement to Wyzenbeek.
Test Differences	Minimal. Almost identical in equipment, principle, and pressure parameters.	Minimal.
Selection Advice	If the client is in Europe, Australia, Asia, or the Middle East, provide an ISO report first.	If the client is in the US and explicitly requests “Martindale” data, provide an ASTM report.

💡 Understand the US Version: If your clients are primarily in the US, we recommend you also learn about the American standard version: ASTM D4966 Standard Guide.

7. Key Comparison: ISO 12947-2 vs. Wyzenbeek (US Standard)

Clients often ask, “What does ISO 12947-2 equal in Wyzenbeek?” There is no standard answer.

• ISO 12947-2: Multi-directional friction, testing against wool. Data unit is Cycles.
• Wyzenbeek: Bi-directional linear friction, testing against cotton duck or wire mesh. Data unit is Double Rubs.

Expert Tip: Some fabrics run 20,000 Martindale cycles but 100,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs (like Chenille); others run 50,000 Martindale but only 15,000 Wyzenbeek (like certain coated fabrics). It is recommended to test separately for target markets and not attempt conversion.

8. Common Brand Requirements for ISO 12947-2

• H&M / ZARA: Apparel fabric purchase orders explicitly require ISO 12947-2 (9 kPa condition).
• IKEA: Sofa fabrics require ISO 12947-2 (12 kPa condition), typically needing to reach 20,000+ cycles to be allowed for stock.
• European Hotel Projects: Tenders usually mandatorily stipulate “Martindale > 40,000 cycles according to ISO 12947-2”.

9. How to Achieve High Scores in ISO 12947-2 Testing

To get a high score in ISO 12947-2, fabrics need to possess:

High Abrasion Resistant Fibers
Polyamide (Nylon) > Polyester > Cotton > Viscose. If the budget allows, adding Nylon is the most direct way to improve abrasion resistance.

Yarn Structure
Plied yarns are more durable than single yarns; High twist yarns are more durable than low twist yarns.

Weave Structure
The more interlacing points, the more durable (Plain > Twill > Satin). Tightly woven fabrics can better resist external friction.

10. BEGOODTEX’s High-Performance Fabric Engineering

For High Traffic Areas, BEGOODTEX has developed targeted material solutions based on the ISO 12947-2 standard to solve specific durability pain points:

Material Reinforcement for Severe Commercial Environments

For extreme environments like airport seating and 24-hour call centers, we use high-tenacity modified nylon or specialized polyester blends. Test data shows that these fabrics can exceed 100,000 cycles under the ISO 12947-2 (12 kPa) standard. Our goal is to ensure the fabric’s physical life far exceeds the furniture’s refurbishment cycle through material selection.

Pile Anchor Technology for Velvet

Traditional velvet is often not durable and prone to pile matting or shedding. We use a unique “W-type” pile weaving technology to greatly enhance the pile’s grip, with test data > 50,000 cycles. This effectively solves the problem of “bald spots” in traditional velvet while maintaining a luxurious hand feel and achieving engineering-grade durability.

11. Common Misconceptions and Precautions Regarding ISO 12947-2

While test data is objective, interpreting it can lead to biases. Here are common pitfalls to avoid when sourcing fabrics:

Misconception: As long as it passes ISO 12947-2, it won’t pill

Correction: False. Abrasion testing measures “Physical Breakdown” (Will it tear?), while Pilling testing measures “Surface Pilling” (Will it fuzz?). For pilling, please refer to ISO 12945-2. Ironically, polyester filaments used to pursue extreme abrasion resistance are often more prone to pilling.

Caution: You Must Check Test Pressure

Crucial Tip: This is the most hidden trap. When viewing an ISO report, be sure to check the “Test Pressure” column. If you are buying furniture fabric, it must say 12 kPa. If a high score is achieved at 9 kPa, it is invalid in the furniture industry because it underestimates human sitting pressure.

12. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions