pilling - HERE Pilling Box

Pilling - ICI Pilling Box
Pilling - ICI Pilling Box

Pilling problem in the textile sector is one of the most important problems affecting the fabric quality and disturbing both consumers and producers. Pilling means that the fibers in the yarns used in the weaving of the fabric rise onto the surface of the fabric and come together to form fiber pellets or fiber groups.

Technically, bead formation occurs in four different stages: pile formation, bead collection, bead growth and bead removal from the fabric.

The beads are formed by the formation of fibers released on the garment surface as a result of the degradation of surface fibers in the yarn. They are also formed by the intermingling of fibers hanging from the yarns. At this stage, other foreign substances adhere to the beads and accelerate the formation of the beads. These beads grow to a certain size. If external forces such as bending and pulling out of the fabric exceed the strength of the fibers connecting the bead to the surface, the beads are separated from the fabric. Otherwise, the beads will remain attached to the fabric surface.

There are three different devices used to test pilling in fabrics: ICI Pilling Box, Random Tumble Pilling Tester and Martindale testers. The test methods of each test device are also different. Random Tumble Pilling Tester and Martindale testers are generally compatible with each other and ICI Pilling Box tester gives different results for some parameters. In general, the ICI Pilling Box tester gives the most optimistic results, while the Martindale tester gives the most pessimistic results.

Pilling tests carried out by authorized laboratories and using ICI Pilling Box testers are based on the following standards:

  • TS EN ISO 12945-1 / T1 Textiles - Determination of surface feathering and pilling tendency in fabrics - Part 1: Pilling box method
  • BS 5811 Pill testing box method for the determination of resistance to perforation of woven fabrics