Textile Glossary

Abrasion resistance

Definition

Abrasion resistance is the ability of a textile material to withstand mechanical wear caused by friction. It indicates the degree to which a woven fabric, knitted fabric, or coating can endure repeated abrasive stress from contact with other surfaces without significant loss of fibers, area weight, or structure. Abrasion resistance is a key performance property and is influenced by factors such as fiber type, yarn construction, weave or knit structure, and finishing.

Use in the textile industry

In the textile industry, abrasion resistance is particularly relevant for apparel fabrics subject to high stress (e.g., at elbows, knees, or seat areas), for technical textiles used in vehicle construction, and for home textiles such as upholstery and floor-covering fabrics. Synthetic fibers such as polyamide or polyester generally exhibit higher abrasion resistance than natural fibers such as cotton or wool, which is why they are often used in blended fabrics to extend service life. Specialized finishes or coatings can further improve abrasion resistance.

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Frequently asked question

Abrasion resistance describes how well a textile withstands material loss caused by friction, while pilling tendency indicates how strongly loosened or protruding fibers on the textile surface clump together into small balls (pills). A material can be abrasion resistant and still exhibit a high pilling tendency if its fibers do not break but are instead worked loose from the fabric structure by friction and rolled into pills.

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