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A rub test is a method of assessing the durability (or ‘abrasion resistance’) of a fabric. During the test, a specialist machine vigorously rubs the fabric. When the fabric begins to show signs of wear and tear, the test finishes by counting the number of ‘rubs’ up to that point. This gives a textile a ‘rub count’.
What is a good rub count for fabric?
25,000 double rubs is a great place to start for residential upholstery, while commercial projects generally require fabrics to be over 100,000 double rubs.
What is a good rub count for sofas?
Less than 10,000 rubs are recommended for decorative uses only like cushions or furniture that is not used. 10,000 – 20,000 rubs are recommended for light domestic use so furniture that is only occasionally used or for short periods, so bedroom furniture, dining room chairs etc.
Is 50000 Double Rubs good?
50000 double rubs – myth or fact? True or false: If a fabric is below 50,000 double rubs the quality is poor. In fact, abrasion as low as 15,000 is suitable for light to moderate use. (Think dining room chairs and formal sitting areas where the furniture is not used every day).
Is rub count important?
What Does Double Rub Count Mean? While it might sound like a funny term, it is an important measurement of the durability of the fabric and could be the deciding factor in which piece of furniture you purchase. In the United States, fabrics are tested using the Wyzenbeek Method.
Is 100000 double rubs meaningless?
“Multiple factors affect fabric durability and appearance retention, including end-user application and proper maintenance. Wyzenbeek results above 100,000 double rubs have not been shown to be an indicator of increased lifespan.”Apr 23, 2015.
Is 30000 rub count good?
Between 25,000 – 30,000 rubs Hardwearing materials, these are often called ‘heavy duty fabrics’ as they can withstand frequent usage without wearing out or fraying. These are ideal for upholstery fabrics that need to withstand children, pets, or frequent visitors.
Which upholstery fabric is most durable?
Microfiber is one the most durable fabrics, besides leather. Check to make sure it is 100 percent polyester so that it does not stain, fade, or leave water marks if you splash water on it.
What is a good Martindale rub count?
15,000 – 25,000: General domestic use.
What is a good Wyzenbeek score?
Which tests are used and what do the test results mean? Wyzenbeek Light use 6,000 – 9,000 Medium use 9,000 – 15,000 Heavy use 15,000 – 30,000 Maximum use > 30,000.
What is a high rub count?
It’s resistance to abrasion is tested by a machine that rubs the fabric over and over until it finally wears through. The amount of passes that it takes to reach this point is the fabric’s rub count. The higher the number, the longer the fabric will last. Residential fabric will range from 15,000 or higher double rubs.
What do grades of fabric mean?
The Grade System Generally, fabric manufacturers utilize a grading system to indicate how expensive their products are. Each grade is designated with an alphabetical letter, starting at grade A and going up to grade F. Grade A fabrics are the least expensive, while those that belong to grade F are the most expensive.
How do you measure fabric durability?
How To Measure Textile Durability. Double rub. Most fabrics come with a double rub rating. The SUTHERLAND® 2000™ Rub Tester machine is used to rate textile durability according to its strength and ability to resist tear after several washes.
WHAT IS fabric cleaning code?
S – Spot clean only with a water-free dry cleaning solvent. DO NOT USE WATER. WS – Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or a mild dry cleaning solvent. X – Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush.
What is the Wyzenbeek test?
Wyzenbeek Test. Fabric wear rating is usually expressed in double rubs. Double rubs are found through a mechanized test called the Wyzenbeek Test (sometimes called the Wyzenbeek Method). The Wyzenbeek Test (ASTM D4157) is regarded as the standard of measuring abrasion resistance for fabric in North America.
What does light upholstery mean?
If the fabric is between 8,000 to 10,000 double rubs, it is designed for light use and it won’t sustain everyday wear and tear. Most residential upholstery fabric falls into this category and can withstand 10,000 to 25,000 double-rubs.
What is mohair velvet made of?
Mohair is a luxury fabric made from the coat of Angora goats which have long thick hair with a sheen. Mohair velvet is extremely durable and is commonly found in upholstery applications for residential and commercial decor.
How do you do a pilling test?
A pilling test will measure and determine how resistant fabrics are to pilling or fuzzing. It’s the same machine as the Martindale abrasion test but instead of the test fabric being rubbed against a standard abradant, the test fabric is rubbed against another piece of the same fabric.
What is the most resistant fabric?
Microfiber and canvas are two of the most durable furniture fabrics. However, cotton and linen also have very strong fibers. Cotton and linen must be woven tightly in order to be considered durable. A tight weave is less likely to allow dirt, dust, and liquid to penetrate.
What kind of fabric is the most durable?
Linen as a fabric has a very long lifetime, as it’s one of the most durable fabrics out there. With a recent resurrection, linen clothing is coming back as people seek ways to lessen their fashion footprint.
What fabric is the strongest?
The strongest fabric material available is polyethylene. It’s a synthetic, lightweight fiber, able to withstand strengths up to 2.4 Gpa (gigapascals). Next in line are natural fabrics.
What does rub count 100k mean?
So, what does a double rub count of 100,000 mean? It means choosing such a fabric for home use is akin to using a Sherman tank to get to the nearest coffee shop; it’s overkill.
What is double rub in fabric?
Double rubs are a way to measure the abrasion resistance and durability of a fabric. One back and forth motion counts as one double rub. This testing method is meant to mimic the “wear and tear” of everyday use.
