A Guide to ISO 12947 and the Martindale Tester-gester-instruments.com

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A Guide to ISO 12947 and the Martindale Tester September 15 , 2025

A Guide to ISO 12947 and the Martindale Tester

ISO 12947 consists of the following parts under the general title of Textiles - Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method.
-Part 1: Martindale abrasion testing apparatus
-Part 2: Determination of specimen breakdown
-Part 3: Determination of mass loss
-Part 4: Assessment of appearance change

Martindale Abrasion Tester

What is the Martindale Abrasion Tester

In simple terms, the Martindale abrasion and pilling tester is a machine that predicts how well a fabric will hold up to real-life rubbing and friction. It works by gently rubbing fabric samples against a standard abrasive surface in a constantly changing motion, mimicking years of use in just hours.

The latest testers are smarter and more accurate than ever. They're equipped with a dual servo system for superior performance and can effortlessly generate a precise, figure-eight-like rubbing pattern (known as a Lissajous figure).

To handle different fabrics and standards, GESTER Martindale tester comes with six built-in testing modes (like Abrasion 60x60 or Pilling 24x24). The best part? Switching between them is as easy as a single click—no need for manual adjustments or changing parts.

Martindale Abrasion Tester

What is the ISO 12947

ISO 12947-1 Martindale abrasion testing apparatus

The Martindale abrasion tester specified in ISO 12947-1 is a specialized apparatus designed to simulate the friction and wear fabrics experience during use. The sample is mounted on a platform and subjected to a rubbing motion in a defined pattern under a specified pressure.

During testing, the fabric on the disc gradually wears away while data such as wear quantity, wear depth, and wear area are recorded. These metrics enable assessment of the fabric's abrasion resistance and comparison with other textiles.

ISO 12947-2 Determination of specimen breakdown

ISO 12947-2 forms part of this series of standards, specifically detailing the experimental method for determining fabric abrasion resistance via the Martindale procedure. A standard abrasive cloth is applied to the fabric surface under specified pressure, simulating the friction and wear encountered during use.

ISO 12947-3 Determination of mass loss

ISO 12947-3 forms part of this series, detailing how to use the Martindale method to determine fabric abrasion resistance. This method is used to evaluate the abrasion resistance of fabrics by measuring mass loss after a specified number of cycles.

Following testing, the mass loss of the sample is measured. Mass loss denotes the weight reduction incurred by the sample due to abrasion during the test. This value serves as an indicator of the fabric's abrasion resistance. An assessment of the fabric's durability can be derived from the mass loss results. Generally, a lower mass loss indicates superior abrasion resistance.

ISO 12947-4 Assessment of appearance change

ISO 12947-4 specifies a method for assessing the appearance change of fabrics after abrasion testing using the Martindale test euipment. designed to evaluate fabric wear resistance. Upon test completion, observe surface abrasion marks on the sample, serving as a key indicator for assessing abrasion performance. Examine changes in the sample's appearance during testing, including alterations in color, luster, and texture. The degree and frequency of these visual alterations enable classification of the fabric's abrasion resistance grade. Typically, superior abrasion resistance corresponds to a higher grade.

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