Definition
Rubbing fastness is the resistance of a colored textile to transferring dye or color onto other materials through friction. Rubbing fastness can be assessed under dry or wet conditions. Wet rubbing fastness is generally lower than dry rubbing fastness, because moisture promotes color transfer.
Use in the textile industry
Rubbing fastness is particularly relevant for textiles that come into direct contact with skin, such as outerwear, bed linen, and upholstery fabrics, where color transfer onto skin or adjacent materials must be prevented. For intensely dyed or dark-colored woven fabrics, rubbing fastness is routinely evaluated as part of quality testing to ensure serviceability. Rubbing fastness is also significant in technical textiles — for example, in automotive interiors — where mechanical stress and varying moisture conditions can occur.
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