Top 10 Pilling & Snagging Testing Instruments

Pilling and snagging are common issues in textiles that affect appearance, quality, and customer satisfaction. Specialized testing instruments simulate wear and friction to evaluate the tendency of fabrics to form pills or develop snags under controlled conditions. These tests are essential for textile, apparel, upholstery, and technical fabric manufacturers to ensure durability and aesthetic performance. Below is a detailed overview of the top 10 pilling and snagging testing instruments, including applications, standards, and key testable projects.

1. Martindale Pilling & Abrasion Tester

Function:

Simulates rubbing and abrasion cycles to evaluate fabric resistance to pilling and surface fuzz formation.

Application Scenarios:

Apparel fabrics

Home textiles (upholstery, curtains)

Technical textiles

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945-1 / ISO 12945-2

ASTM D4970

Testable Projects:

Pilling resistance

Abrasion resistance

Fabric surface appearance after wear

2. Random Tumble Pilling Tester (Pilling Box Tester)

Function:

Assesses pilling by tumbling fabric specimens with abrasive objects, simulating real-life wear conditions.

Application Scenarios:

Sweaters and knitted fabrics

Upholstery fabrics

Industrial textile evaluation

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945-2

ASTM D3512

Testable Projects:

Pilling formation rate

Pill size and density

Surface smoothness

3. Circular Pilling Tester

Function:

Uses circular motion and friction to accelerate pilling formation for evaluation of fabric durability.

Application Scenarios:

Knitted garments

Hosiery and sportswear

Upholstery fabrics

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945

AATCC 158

Testable Projects:

Pilling resistance

Fiber shedding

Fabric texture retention

4. Snagging Tester (Loop Pile / Pin Snag Tester)

Function:

Evaluates fabric tendency to develop snags by pulling fibers or loops under controlled conditions.

Application Scenarios:

Knitted and woven fabrics

Outdoor and technical fabrics

Upholstery and carpet materials

Standards Compliance:

ISO 13936-1 / ISO 13936-2

ASTM D3939

Testable Projects:

Snag formation

Fiber distortion

Surface integrity

5. Box-Type Pilling Tester

Function:

Uses a tumbling box with controlled friction to simulate wear and evaluate pilling tendency on small fabric samples.

Application Scenarios:

Sweaters, knitwear, and sportswear

Upholstery and blankets

Industrial fabrics

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945-2

ASTM D3512

Testable Projects:

Pill count

Pill size

Surface fuzz accumulation

6. Double Head Pilling & Snagging Tester

Function:

Tests both pilling and snagging simultaneously by combining friction and fiber loop extraction.

Application Scenarios:

Apparel and knitwear

Technical fabrics

Home textiles

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945 / ISO 13936

ASTM D4970 / ASTM D3939

Testable Projects:

Pilling resistance

Snag resistance

Fiber pull-out and surface damage

7. Circular Ribbed Pilling Tester

Function:

Uses rotating ribbed plates to accelerate pilling formation for knitted or woven fabrics.

Application Scenarios:

Knitted garments

Hosiery and sportswear

Industrial textiles

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945-2

AATCC 158

Testable Projects:

Pilling resistance

Pill size and density

Fiber surface integrity

8. Taber Abrasion Tester for Pilling

Function:

Applies rotary abrasive wheels to fabric samples to assess abrasion and pilling resistance simultaneously.

Application Scenarios:

Coated textiles

Industrial fabrics

Upholstery and furniture fabrics

Standards Compliance:

ASTM D4966

ISO 5470

Testable Projects:

Abrasion resistance

Pilling resistance

Surface wear evaluation

9. Martindale Snagging & Fiber Pull-Out Tester

Function:

Combines cyclic rubbing and fiber extraction to evaluate both snagging and pill formation on woven and knitted fabrics.

Application Scenarios:

Apparel textiles

Outdoor fabrics and sportswear

Upholstery fabrics

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945 / ISO 13936

ASTM D4970 / ASTM D3939

Testable Projects:

Snag formation

Fiber pull-out resistance

Pilling resistance

10. Accelerated Pilling & Snagging Tester (Rotary Drum Type)

Function:

Uses a rotating drum with abrasive fillers to simulate long-term wear for accelerated pilling and snagging assessment.

Application Scenarios:

Sweaters and knitwear

Upholstery and industrial fabrics

Technical textiles

Standards Compliance:

ISO 12945-2

ASTM D3512

Testable Projects:

Pilling density and size

Snag formation rate

Surface appearance changes

Professional Pilling & Snagging Testing Solutions

We specialize in manufacturing pilling and snagging testing instruments for textiles, apparel, upholstery, and technical fabrics. Our instruments comply with ISO, ASTM, and AATCC standards and are widely used by textile manufacturers, research labs, and quality control departments.

With professional expertise and full technical support, we provide solutions to ensure fabrics maintain durability, appearance, and surface integrity under wear conditions.

For inquiries or customized pilling and snagging testing solutions, contact us today to select the right instruments for your products.

2025-11-18 16:56