Quality Learning Team
What is Pilling Formation on Fabric? | Pilling Resistance Test | Working
Procedure of Pilling Resistance Test
Pilling on Fabric:
Pilling is a condition that arises in wear due to the formation of little 'pills' of entangled fibre
clinging to the fabric surface giving it an unsightly appearance. Pills are formed by a rubbing
action on loose fibres which are present on the fabric surface. Pilling was originally a fault found
mainly in knitted woollen goods made from soft twisted yarns. The introduction of man-made
fibers into clothing has aggravated its seriousness. The explanation for this is that these fibres
are stronger than wool so that the pills remain attached to the fabric surface rather than breaking
away as would be the case with wool. Below Figure shows a pill on a cotton/polyester fabric.
Fig: Pilling on fabric
The initial effect of abrasion on the surface of a fabric is the formation of fuzz as the result of
two processes, the brushing up of free fibre ends not enclosed within the yarn structure and the
conversion of fibre loops into free fibre ends by the pulling out of one of the two ends of the
loop. Gintis and Mead consider that the fuzz formation must reach a critical height, which is
dependent on fibre characteristics, before pill formation can occur.
Causes and Way to Remove Fabric Pilling:
Fabric pilling is actually a process of entanglement of fabric fibers. It’s often caused by friction,
either from rough washing cycles or abrasive detergents. Fabric pilling, which will affect the
appearance of fabrics and reduce the use performance of fabrics. But it doesn’t affect the
durability or functionality of the fabric. Fibers such as wool, cotton, polyester, nylon and acrylic
have a tendency to pill the most, but wool pilling diminishes over time. Whereas pilling of
synthetic textiles is a more serious problem, because the stronger fibers hold on to the pills
preventing them from falling off.
Collect by: Mizanur Rahman Verify by :Faruq Ahmed sanaullah
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Quality Learning Team
There are several ways to remove pilling from your fabric and but the most effective and
quickest way to remove pilling in fabrics and textiles is the use of battery-powered pill shaver or
remover. To avoid pilling generally singeing process is done the loose fibers protruding on the
surface of textile, and spinning the yarn with a high number of twists per inch. Some fabrics are
chemically treated during the manufacturing process in order to reduce their propensity to pill.
Polymeric coatings are sometimes applied to bind fibers into the fabric surface and prevent initial
fuzz from forming.
Pilling Resistance Test:
Purpose and Scope:
This method is intended for the determination of the resistance of textiles of all kinds in all forms
to the action of an applied resistive force. This causes pilling in the tested fabrics
Apparatus:
Pilling tester
Metal plates 4 inch diameter and 1 inch thick
Standard for assessing the pilling grade
Working Procedure:
A piece of fabric measuring 10×10 inch is sewn to a firm fit when placed round a rubber tube.
The out end of the fabrics is covered by cellophane tape and metal plates are placed on the
tester .Run the tester for 300 cycles. Remove the sample and compare the sample with standard
scale.
Standard:
Pilling Standard: 3-4 gray scale matching
Collect by: Mizanur Rahman Verify by :Faruq Ahmed sanaullah
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