Fabric Pile Loss
SCOPE
Fabric Pile Loss -To assess the amount of pile loss and weight loss causing visual change. Read about Employee Management System Software Free/ Premium
PRINCIPLES
A prepared sample of fabric is subjected to a tumbling action against a known abrasive pad. Pile loss is then assessed.
APPARATUS
- AATCC “ATLAS” Accelerator, Model AB-7 fitted with 108mm S-Shaped rotor with specimen viewer
- Ceramic abrasive lining ring
- Rubber based adhesive
- Method for removing loose fluff, I.e. vacuum cleaner or brush
- Circular cutter 11.28cm in diameter giving a resultant sample area of approximately 100 sq cm.
PROCEDURE
- Calibrate accelerotor
- Cut two 300mm x 300mm samples
- One sample to have appropriate cleaning treatment (as garment care label using appropriate method
- Cut the following samples:
- Original – four samples, three to test, one kept as original
- After Cleaning – cut three samples for test
- Glue outside of circle with rubber based adhesive. Fray loose shorter threads to a depth of 2-3 mm (woven fabrics).
- Once the adhesive is dry, condition the samples for a minimum of 4 hours at 65 +/- 2% rh and a temperature of 20 +/- 2 degrees C. Testing must also take place in a conditioned environment.
- Number and weigh accurately, both original and cleaned samples. This initial weight is now referred to as ‘X’.
- Fold one sample in half, place it across the top rotor in the accelerotor and close the door.
- Test specimen at appropriate time and speed, initially 3000rpm quickly reducing to 2000rpm after rotor has begun to spin and maintain that speed throughout the test cycle.
Examples as guide:
Velvet 3 mins @ 2000rpm
Corduroy 5 mins @ 2000rpm
Velour 5 mins @ 2000rpm
- Remove specimens from accelerotor
- Remove all loose fibre from both the sample and accelerotor using vacuum cleaner or brush.
- Condition the sample for a further 4 hours, as previously.
- Weigh accurately the tested sample. (This weight is now referred to as ‘Y’)
- Repeat process e. to I. on both original and cleaned samples saving one original sample for comparison.
SAMPLE DISPLAY & GRADING
Use the following formula to calculate the percentage weight loss of each sample (both original and cleaned):
X – Y x 100 = Result X
X = Weight before testing
Y = Weight after testing
Visually assess each sample comparing with the initial appearance to the original untested sample and grade these samples according to the following assessment table:
Grade : Visual Assessment
NO CHANGE : No change in appearance
NEGLIGIBLE :No obvious loss of individual pile tufts and/ or slight negligible narrowing of the cord wale
SLIGHT :Limited small areas of pile loss and/ or slight narrowing of the cord wale
SIGNIFICANT: Considerable pile loss and/or significant narrowing of the cord wale
DISTINCT : Extreme pile loss causing half or more of the base cloth to be visible and/or distinct narrowing of the cord wales
Retain samples
REPORT
Average percentage weight loss for each set of both original and cleaned samples, quoting ‘original’ or ‘cleaned’ as appropriate.
The visual assessment grades.