Laboratory 2026

Fabric resistance test: laboratory results

Abrasion, tensile strength, pilling, colour fastness: 7 fabrics tested according to ISO and ASTM standards. Comparative data to choose a fabric that lasts.

7
fabrics tested in laboratory
42
tests conducted (6 protocols x 7 fabrics)
5
ISO/ASTM standards applied
Published on
See the results

Fabric resistance comparison table

Compare 7 fabrics across 6 durability indicators. Click on a fabric for test details. Data based on ISO 12947, ISO 12945, ISO 105 and ISO 13934 standards.

Each fabric is laboratory-tested against six standardised criteria: abrasion resistance (Martindale test, ISO 12947-2), tensile strength (ISO 13934-1), pilling tendency (ISO 12945-2), colour fastness to washing (ISO 105-C06), tear resistance (ISO 13937-2), and shrinkage after laundering (ISO 6330). Grades range from A (excellent) to D (fragile) and summarise overall performance for everyday garment use. Click on each card to discover recommended uses and care instructions.
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Data based on ISO 12947-2 (Martindale), ISO 12945-2 (pilling), ISO 105-C06 (colour fastness), ISO 13934-1 (tensile) and ISO 13937-2 (tear). See the Quality Barometer.

Methodology and test protocols

All tests follow standardised protocols conducted in independent laboratories. Below are the standards applied, data sources and bibliographic references.

Test protocols

Martindale test (ISO 12947-2)

Sample rubbed in a Lissajous figure under 12 kPa pressure. Number of cycles before visible degradation determines abrasion resistance.

Pilling test (ISO 12945-2)

Modified Martindale method: sample rubbed against itself for 2,000 cycles. Visual assessment on a scale from 1 (severe pilling) to 5 (no pilling).

Colour fastness (ISO 105-C06)

Wash at 40C with standard detergent and steel balls. Bleeding and shade change assessed on grey scale (1 to 5).

Tensile strength (ISO 13934-1)

Strip method: 50 mm sample stretched to break. Maximum force in Newtons measured in warp and weft directions.

Tear strength (ISO 13937-2)

Elmendorf method: force required to propagate an initiated tear in a standard specimen. Result in Newtons.

Wash shrinkage (ISO 6330 / ISO 5077)

Sample measured before and after 3 wash/dry cycles following manufacturer guidelines. Shrinkage expressed as percentage.

Data sources

  • ISO (International Organization for Standardization): textile standards series 12000 and 13000
  • ASTM International: standards D4966, D3512, D3786 for complementary tests
  • Textile Research Journal: peer-reviewed publications on fibre durability
  • Misciano internal analyses: tests conducted on materials in our supply chain

Bibliographic references

  1. Saville, B.P. (1999). Physical Testing of Textiles. Woodhead Publishing.
  2. Hu, J. (2008). Fabric Testing. Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles.
  3. ISO Technical Committee 38 (2020). Textiles: determination of abrasion resistance. ISO 12947-2:2016.
  4. Textile Exchange (2023). Preferred Fiber & Materials Market Report.
  5. Fan, J. & Hunter, L. (2009). Engineering Apparel Fabrics and Garments. Woodhead Publishing.

Related resources

Cite this study

You may freely cite the data from this page in your academic work, articles or reports. Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 licence.

7
fabrics tested
42
tests conducted
6
ISO/ASTM protocols
5/5
max fastness grade

Misciano. (2026). Fabric resistance test: laboratory results. https://misciano.com/en/pages/fabric-resistance-tests-laboratory-results

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Data under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 licence. Commercial use subject to authorisation.

Frequently asked questions about fabric resistance tests

What is the Martindale test?
The Martindale test (ISO 12947-2, North American equivalent ASTM D4966) measures a fabric’s abrasion resistance by rubbing a sample in a Lissajous figure under controlled pressure of 9 kPa. The number of cycles before visible degradation (wear-through, surface loss, fibre damage) determines the grade. Upholstery fabric should exceed 20,000 cycles per EN 14465, while everyday clothing requires at least 10,000 cycles for satisfactory daily use.
Why does cashmere pill more than cotton?
Cashmere consists of short, fine fibres (14-19 microns, versus 25-30 for standard wool) that easily migrate to the surface and form pills, measured under ISO 12945-2 using the Martindale pilling method. Pima cotton, with its extra-long staple fibres (35-40 mm), achieves a pilling grade of 4/5 compared to cashmere’s 2/5. To limit cashmere pilling, choose a weight above 200 g/m2, a tight twist (minimum 2-ply) and avoid tumble drying which accelerates fibre migration.
Is silk a fragile fabric?
Silk has remarkable tensile strength (350-550 N per ISO 13934-1, equivalent ASTM D5034) relative to its weight, thanks to its 70% crystalline fibroin structure. However, its abrasion resistance is moderate (12,000-20,000 Martindale cycles) and it is particularly sensitive to UV light (losing 50% strength after 200 hours of exposure) and prolonged moisture. Silk satin is more fragile than silk twill because its floating threads spanning 4-7 warp yarns are more exposed to snagging and surface wear.
What does the colour fastness grade mean?
Colour fastness is assessed on a scale of 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent) according to ISO 105 (parts C06 for washing, B02 for light, E04 for perspiration, X12 for rubbing). A fabric rated 4/5 at 40°C wash retains its shade after 10 domestic washes with no visible fading to the naked eye. Reactive dyes on cotton and acid dyes on wool regularly achieve 4-5/5, while some natural dyes (indigo, madder) may only reach 2-3/5.
Is polyester really more durable than natural fibres?
In terms of pure abrasion resistance and shrinkage, yes: polyester exceeds 100,000 Martindale cycles (often 150,000+) and hardly shrinks (0.5-2% ISO 6330 versus 5-12% for wool). Its tensile strength (500-850 N) also surpasses most natural fibres. However, it sheds approximately 700,000 plastic microfibres per wash cycle according to IUCN studies, and its biodegradation takes 200-500 years. True durability must also factor in overall environmental impact.
How to read wash shrinkage results?
Shrinkage is expressed as a percentage of dimensional reduction after 3 standardised wash/dry cycles per ISO 6330 (programme 6A at 40°C, tumble dry method A). Shrinkage of 2-3% is considered low and acceptable for ready-to-wear, 4-6% moderate requiring size adjustment, above 8% high and potentially unwearable. Linen (5-10%) and wool (5-12%) are most sensitive to shrinkage, which is why pre-washing or cold washing is essential for these fibres.
Which fabric to choose for everyday wear?
For daily use, choose Pima cotton (extra-long staple) or a cotton-modal blend (70/30). Pima cotton delivers 30,000-100,000 Martindale cycles, anti-pilling of 4/5 (ISO 12945) and withstands machine washing at 40°C without noticeable deterioration. Blends with 5-10% elastane (Lycra) add stretch and elastic recovery without compromising durability, ideal for garments that follow body movement.
Does fabric weight affect resistance?
Yes, higher weight generally means better abrasion and tear resistance (ISO 13937-2). For example, a 180 g/m2 cotton jersey achieves 40,000 Martindale cycles versus only 15,000 for a 120 g/m2 jersey. However, weave structure is equally important: a 2/1 twill (denim) resists better than a 4/1 satin at the same weight, because more frequent interlacing points distribute mechanical stress more evenly.
Do laboratory tests reflect real-world use?
ISO standards simulate accelerated conditions in a controlled environment (20°C, 65% humidity): a fabric reaching 20,000 Martindale cycles withstands roughly 2-3 years of moderate daily use with weekly laundering. Real-world conditions (tropical climate, harsh detergent, tumble drying) can reduce this lifespan by 30-50%. Our data represent industry averages from ISO 17025 certified laboratories.
What is the link between fabric resistance and garment price?
A more resistant fabric requires higher-quality fibres: long-staple (ELS for cotton, Grade A for cashmere), higher weight (180+ g/m2) and fast dyes (reactive or acid process). These raw material choices represent 15-40% of the final garment price depending on quality. See our true cost of a garment breakdown to understand the full split between materials, manufacturing, logistics and branding.