What do the rubs mean?
Many designers have asked over the years “what is the difference between the different rub tests?” We may have told you that the wire mesh rubs are done with wire mesh and that the Wyzenbeek are done with upholstery to test how the fabric would wear if you were sitting on the fabric – What does it really all mean?
There are two main tests – Wyzenbeek and Martindale.
Wyzenbeek rubs are the most common in the US; this is what most schools teach as well. To test in this method, the company will take a piece of cotton duck or wire mesh and rub it back and forth on your fabric. The amount of times this cycle can be completed (full back and forth cycle) before noticeable wear becomes your double rubs. Generally, using the Wyzenbeek method, 30,000 cotton duck rubs and 15,000 wire mesh rubs are considered heavy duty use where in Martindale 40,000 cycles becomes heavy duty. The machines that conduct both tests look very similar but the Martindale may closer predict durability. The Martindale test uses a piece of worsted wool instead of cotton duck or wire mesh and runs the test in a figure eight shape instead of back and forth. This test wears more of the fabric and could be concluded that it shows more regular wear and tear. Martindale tests are widely used in Europe and around the world; many fabrics coming from their mills are more commonly quoting Martindale rubs instead of Wyzenbeek (a US standard test). Unfortunately, there is no correlation between the two tests so even if you knew one set of test results – you could not determine the other without actually performing the test. When you see on fabric that has 15,000 wire mesh rubs, you can assume that it was tested with the Wyzenbeek method using wire mesh.
Video of Martindale method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyZGpqM2xBU
What’s wrong with these tests? A test is only that – a test. I think we have all had to take a test at one point or another where we didn’t really need to know the material. We studied, took the test and then promptly forgot it. These fabric durability tests play similar games. For instance, with the Wyzenbeek method – the wire mesh or cotton duck is required to be replaced every one million double rubs. Where in that million double rubs was your fabric tested? If it were tested at the beginning, the fabric could show less performance. What is noticeable wear? It is in the eye of the beholder. One tester could have a different opinion than another. How hard was the abradant pressing against your fabric during the test?
These tests only take care of a small part of life for the fabric. Keep in mind (and your client’s mind) that fabric care is very important. The tests only mean so much - if you, as a designer, have doubts about the fabric – find a new selection.
Sources:
http://blog.kothea.com/2009/06/26/martindale-vs-wyzenbeek-3/
http://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/abrasion-testing/
S M Winterburn: Special Products Technical Information Letter, Martindale Abrasion Testing with Reference to the USA Upholstery Market
Duralee Fabrics: Abrasion Testing
5 comments:
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This is amazing! :) There was a lot i didn't understand, and this is a great post ;D I work for a furniture company, and we mostly deal with Wyzenbeek Method, but reading this helped me understand more the difference between the two methods and what the double rubs actually stand for. Thanks :)
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