Fabric Abrasion resistance is measured in a laboratory by rotating a paper sample under abrasive wheels for a set length of time, and then measuring the sample's change in weight. Wet or dry abrasion resistance tests can be performed.The measurement of abrasion resistance, usually by the weighing of a material sample before and after subjecting it to a known abrasive stress throughout a known time period, or by reflectance or surface finish comparisons, or by dimensional comparisons.
The primary reason companies conduct abrasion resistance tests is to ensure they are producing a quality product that is free from defects; consistent in performance; and will endure throughout its life cycle.
The ideal solution would be to analyze a material’s wear resistance in actual use. Unfortunately, this approach often takes many years before useful data becomes available. Additionally, the cost of conducting a field test could be prohibitive and the complexity of identifying and monitoring the influences can be unwieldy. An accelerated laboratory test is appealing because companies can compress the life span of a product into a much shorter duration within a controlled and monitored environment. Plus, it allows materials to be tested in the same manner, and under the same conditions.
For many products, an established test protocol has been developed to ensure test results are comparable. This allows a company to demonstrate they meet a minimum performance standard. Or testing can help a company gain a competitive advantage by showing how it performs compared to the competition. Another advantage of testing is to evaluate the impact of supplier or material changes before they are implemented. In today’s competitive environment, lower cost options may be appealing but have unintended negative consequences on product quality.
