Pilling Tests – ICI Pilling Box

The first effect of aging and wear on the surface of fabrics is the formation of fluff. According to researches on this subject, there are two reasons for the formation of fluff. The first reason is that the fiber ends that are released while spinning are exposed. The second reason is that the force generated during friction is more than the breaking strength of the fiber and pulls the fiber ends out. In both cases, depending on the fiber properties, fluff is formed first, followed by beading. When the pile formation reaches a certain pile height, the pile begins to mix and merge. This situation is bead formation.

In the tests performed, 100 cotton beads were separated into fibers and analyzed. Of these, only 12 percent had knots, and 15 percent had foreign matter. It was determined that 50 percent had no knots and foreign matter, and the fiber complexity was only between the fibers in the pile structure.

Pilling tests are carried out by using various methods in authorized laboratories. One of these methods is called the ICI Pilling Box. It is known that this method gives the most optimistic results.