Automotive Textile Testing

Many physical test methods are also applicable for textiles. UL Solutions offers textile testing according to the automotive testing standards for initial inspection and quality assurance.

Electronic crockmeter conducting test on fabric sample

Abrasion testing

The Crockmeter measurement determines the color fastness of textiles from rubbing or friction. It can be used for dry or wet rubbing. The Crockmeter allows color fastness on textiles and leather but also on carpets and other floor coverings to be tested.

Common standards for crockmeter

508 VDA, PV 3906, DIN EN 105-X12, DBL 7384, AATCC 165, ISO 105-D02, M&S C8, M&S C8A, M&S C25, M&S C52, or equivalent standards

Maxi-Martindale machine conducting abrasion resistance test on fabrics

Abrasion and pilling properties

The Martindale Method is the most commonly used procedure to determine the abrasion resistance, and the wear and pilling behavior of textile fabrics and particularly seat upholstery. Some automotive standards require this test also on plastic surfaces. The method simulates the natural wear and tear of a seat cover by rubbing a sample of the textile with a given weight load against a woolen standard fabric.

Possible test methods:

Determination of the abrasion of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers
Test of abrasive behavior of textiles
Determination of the soiling and cleaning behavior of textiles, films, and leather. A defined amount of standard dirt is brought through a sieve onto the sample to be tested. With a defined pressure the dirt is now applied by a rotating standard cotton tissue. This movement is called Lissajourfigure.

Common standards for Martindale

DIN EN ISO 12945, DIN EN ISO 12947, ASTM D4966, PV 3356, PV 3968, PV 3961, PV 3975, or equivalent standards

Machine conducting a schopper abrasion test

Determination of the soiling and cleaning behavior

Testing of abrasion resistance is used for determining the abrasion of textile surface structures in accordance to DIN 53863, as well as for determining the abrasion of leather and similar materials under the rotary scrubbing procedure. The Schopper abrasion test can be used for determining the soiling and cleaning behavior as well as the simulation of abrasion and staining under defined and reproducible conditions.

Common standards for soiling and cleaning behavior

DIN 53863, PV 3908, PV 3353, or equivalent standards

Wear characteristics of flocking

In practice the quality of a flocked surface is often tested by rubbing with a finger nail. This test simulates the abrasion under defined and reproducible conditions.

Common standards for APG 1000 abrasion tester

DBL 5578, PV 3366, PV 3949, or equivalent standards

Related services

Automotive Materials Testing